Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, HOT and DRY would be how I would describe the weather to start the month of June.  Temperatures hovering right around 80 degrees for at least the next 15 days and overnight lows staying in the 50s will not help with keeping rising water temps in check.  I do see some rain forecasted Thursday, but the last two significant chances pretty much missed us, so I won’t hold my breath on that forecast.  Water temps have skyrocketed over the past week, as most lakes have gone from the upper 50s/low 60s to now the upper 60s/low 70s.  While this fast warm up is good for some fish species getting more active, I have a feeling some species will shut down or get harder to find once water temps push into the mid 70s.  

Musky–The musky bite has picked up a little bit, and anglers are still doing well catching musky on smaller bass/walleye sized baits.  WIth water temps warming, musky should start chasing bucktails and faster moving/larger baits.  Anglers should find musky in and around emerging weeds and rocky/weedy points or bays.  As water temps and air temps rise, musky anglers should be aware of not keeping fish out of the water too long……have tools, camera, and measuring devices ready if needed as to keep fish in the water as much as possible.

Northern pike–Pike have been active and that trend should continue as water temps rise.  Recently, anglers have had success mostly on live bait such as bigger minnows.  Artificial baits such as Mepps, spinnerbaits, and jerk/minnow baits such as Rapalas.  Anglers should focus heavily on weeds for pike right now.  Shallow or deep weed beds or weedy bays will be holding pike from now until ice up!

Walleye–The walleye bite has been good and anglers are reporting the walleye are “where they should be”. Haha not to be too vague, but on most lakes that will be related to slightly deeper rocky/sand bottoms or deep weed edges.  Anglers are having success on minnows such as fatheads and XL fatheads, although leeches and crawlers will really be the hot bite as the water temps keep coming up.  Look for walleye anywhere from 8-15 FOW depending on the lake and structure you fish.

LMB–Largemouth thrive in warm water and the bite is currently reflecting the warming water temps.  Anglers are finding largemouth up shallow and already on beds.  Dropping wacky/texas rigged plastic worms into beds will trigger strikes from big largemouth defending their beds.  It is a fun way to sight fish for shallow bass.  Other options include spinnerbaits worked through shallow weeds and even top water baits such as Zara spooks and frogs will start working now.

SMB–A few walleye anglers have caught some smallies on the same deeper weed/rock edges as they were seeing walleye.  Smallies will be pushing shallower and can start hitting top water baits as water temps continue to climb.  For deep/suspended fish, jig/plastic or live bait combos are an excellent choice.  Smallies may be tougher to catch right now as they are probably close to or actively spawning on most lakes now.  

Crappie–The crappie bite has been great lately as they are in fairly shallow weeds and schooled up spawning.  Small jigs or plain hooks and minnows rigged under a float are tried and true ways to catch crappie right now.  Look for crappie anywhere from 4-10 FOW right now and try to find some good cabbage weeds they use for cover.

Perch–Anglers have found some perch mixed in with the crappie lately.  The same jig and minnow combos have been working to catch nice perch.  As water temps rise anglers may find leeches to be equally effective for perch in and around the same areas they are catching them now.

Bluegill–Bluegill have been in shallow weeds lately and I am hearing some anglers are starting to see beds along sandy shorelines or around docks.  Chunks of night crawlers or leaf worms on plain hooks or small jigs are great choices for gills right now.  

That is all I have for this week’s report.  We aren’t even out of May yet but it already feels as if we are in the full summer swing.  Swimming/tubing/rafting in the lakes won’t be far off and if the weather holds we will have bath water by July.  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning from the Northwoods, a bit of a soggy start to the holiday weekend.  It has been raining pretty steady all morning. If the forecast holds true, it appears we are going to go from heating to air conditioning this year.  I am seeing temps climbing into the mid 80s this week and holding there until next weekend.  Very little chance of rain this week other than this morning.  The fishing has been decent lately, but I think a warm up will certainly help.  I just hope the water temps don’t shoot up too quickly.  Right now water temps are hovering right around 60 degrees on most lakes, give or take a few degrees each way.  

Musky–Even though most musky anglers held out targeting ‘skies with the early season start, Memorial weekend is the typical kickoff to the musky season.  Anglers should target shallow emerging weeds as crappie, bluegill, and perch will be close by.  Smaller bucktails, minnow baits, or jerk baits like a 7″ Suick can be great options for early season musky.

Northern pike–Anglers have been catching pike mostly while walleye fishing right now and having action on jigs/fathead minnows.  Walleye/bass sized jerkbaits or crankbaits can also be excellent choices for pike right now.  Look for pike in and around weed edges as they too will be looking to eat easy meals of baitfish in emerging weed beds.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been pretty good overall, with anglers having luck on all manner of live bait, including leeches, minnows, and crawlers already.  Anglers have found walleye on slightly deeper weed edges and rock transitions depending on the lake.  Jerk baits and crank baits will catch fish as well cast or trolled around these spots.

LMB–It sounds like anglers have had success catching largemouth up shallow as they are making beds for spawning.  Look for shallow sandy shorelines on the inside of weed or rock edges and work baits through them.  Ned rigged plastics, spinnerbaits, and live bait have all been working well.

SMB–A few smallies have been caught by anglers fishing deep rocky points or reefs.  Some are catching them on live bait while walleye fishing, and others are having success on jigs/plastics.  Look for smallies in deeper water, anywhere from 12-20 FOW.

Crappie–Crappie are going to be spawning very soon, it sounds like anglers are finding them around 6 to 8 FOW in weeds.  A few days in the 80s and water temps rising another 3-5 degrees should have crappie absolutely popping off.  Jigs/minnows are an anglers best choice right now, however jigs/plastics or smaller baits like mimic minnows or beetle spins can work as well.  In the next week anglers should see crappie moving even shallower and the bite should get hot.

Perch/Bluegill–Perch should also be very close to spawning and will likely be in and around shallow weeds.  Jigs and minnows are a great choice for perch and anglers can even size up to fathead minnows to target the biggest perch in the school.  Bluegill should be close by weeds, but may be hanging on. the inside edges as they are starting to set up for spawning on shallow sand bottoms.  Leaf worms or chunks of crawlers on small jigs or hooks under a float are an excellent choice to catch bluegill right now.

That is all I have for this week’s report.  Things should really start to pick up both in fishing and tourism for the area and it looks as if we will be in the summer swing by the end of next week!  Have a great weekend, take time to remember the fallen and we will talk soon.

Greg