Fishing report 16 September 2023

Good morning, air temps look mild this week with a little warm up mid week.  Lows still in the 40s and 50s so that should help keep the water temps where we want them.  Not calling for rain really until next weekend and the first part of next week, but that’s a little far out to trust just yet.  I am hearing the water temps have dipped down into the mid to low 60s which should be a good thing for fishing.  The bite has been tough, but fish should start to feel this change and really start putting the feed bag on in the next week or so. 

Musky–The musky bite has slowed down quite a bit at least around here.  Less anglers are fishing right now, but the ones I have talked to aren’t seeing a whole lot of fish.  Anglers should still be fishing weed edges, rocks and other key structures.  Slowing down and throwing bigger baits should really start to trigger bites with the water temps dropping.  Dragging suckers in and around weed beds, rocks and bars should really start putting fish in the boat right now.

Northern pike–It has been a couple of weeks since I have heard of anyone catching any kind of northern pike big or small.  PIke should be holding tight in cover roaming weed beds, shallow flats, and any shallow structure that is holding panfish.  Smaller baits such as spinnerbaits, small bucktails, and swimbaits will all still catch fish.  Walleye and musky suckers should produce fish as well.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been a tough one since the big heat wave over labor day weekend.  Fish have pushed deep and been negative for a lot of anglers.  Most fish anglers are finding are in 16-20 FOW but just aren’t hitting any baits well.  Lots of reports of fish on graphs/sonar but not alot getting into the net.  Bottom bouncers, jigs tipped with fatheads or walleye suckers, and slow trolling crankbaits are all good places to start to try to put a few walleye in the boat.

LMB–Anglers are still catching decent numbers of largemouth, most are coming on minnows (crappie or fatheads) while fishing other species.  I have had a few anglers say they are doing well on Texas rigged worms in and around weed beds too.

SMB–I don’t have much of a report on smallmouth right now.  From other guys I have scouted on the internet they are finding fish on shallow rocks.  I would target fish in the afternoons after those rocks warm up a bit  and fish push shallow.

Crappie–The crappie bite has picked back up and anglers are doing well catching them in deeper water close to bottom.  Most of what I am hearing fish are holding in about 20 FOW and hitting jigs/plastics or jigs/minnows right near the bottom.  Slip bobbers with jigs under them are working as well.

Bluegill/Perch–Nightcrawlers are still selling, but I don’t get a lot of reporting on the panfish bite.  Fish should be pushing into shallow weeds as there is still good oxygen there.  Lower light/less light as we are getting into fall means less weed growth and fish will stick to weed beds that are still green and healthy.  Small jigs or bare hooks tipped with nightcrawlers or waxies should still catch fish.

Archery season starts today so some guys/gals will be hitting the woods.  Bear season has been under way and I have heard of a few being harvested.  Fall is here and getting into full swing!  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Fishing report 09 September 2023

Good morning, cooler days and cooler nights are already changing some of the leaf colors.  It will be a couple weeks yet before the colors really change, but it’s coming!  The hot weather last weekend brought water temps up a little bit, but it sounds like they are back down to right around 70 degrees.  They should continue to slowly drop over the next week as we don’t have any hot weather in the forecast.  Some rain tonight will help keep the temps in check as well as help the lake levels.  Fishing has been tough for all species since the cold front came through last week.  

Musky–A few fish are still being caught, but the bite has slowed down a bit for musky.  Fish should still be related to shallow water on structure, whether that be weeds, rocks, or timber.  I would keep fishing bucktails to cover water, and slow it down to glide baits, jerkbaits or rubber baits if you aren’t getting any action of fast moving stuff.  Live bait is also going to really heat up now that cooler weather is here.  Dragging a sucker along drifts while casting is a great way to put big ‘skis in the boat.

Northern pike–Really nothing relevant to report on pike.  Along with the musky, pike should be on shallow structure this time of year.  Spinner baits, smaller bucktails, and live bait will all produce pike right now.

Walleye–Walleye have pushed deeper into the basins and are being caught trolling crank baits, and pulling crawler harnesses and bottom bouncers.  Jigging with live bait will start coming into play here as the water cools as well.  

LMB–Anglers have been doing well for bass on minnows and crawlers around here.  Some musky anglers have also caught bass on smaller artificial baits as well.  Largemouth should still be relating to shallow weed beds or other shallow structure.

Smallies–Anglers have been doing well on smallies on live bait also.  Fish are in deeper water off of rocky points/shorelines.  Most of the walleye anglers that have been in have reported to catch some very nice smallmouth while walleye fishing.  Mostly on walleye suckers or fathead minnows on slip bobbers is what’s working.

Crappie–Anglers are finding crappie in the basins or on cribs or deep structure.  Dropping jigs/plastics or minnows down to them and vertical jigging is working well.  My guess would be slip bobbers with jigs getting deep would work too.

Bluegill/perch–Nothing new to report on a panfish bite.  Focus on shallow weeds for bluegill and perch alike.  Waxies, leaf worms, and crawlers are still the choice for bait to catch panfish.  

Tough bite right now and in that transition between the good summer bite and the fall feed bag season!  Hope everyone has a great weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg