Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, thunder is rolling as I type this and it looks like we are in for some solid thunderstorms this morning.  It looks like we have chances of rain tomorrow and Monday as well, then it settles down.  Air temps look to be pleasant in the 70s all week, which, combined with any rain we get should keep water temps in check.  From what I am hearing water temps are still around the mid 70s on most lakes.  Water levels are down on most lakes, and the Quiet Lakes around here are down, probably close to 18″.  Overall fishing has not been great, and it’s hard to tell if the storms today will help or hurt.  

Musky–The musky bite has slowed down (at least on our boards) with only one fish put up on the board in the last 10 days.  That fish, and a few others were seen on small bass sized crankbaits and spinnerbaits.  Fish were still related to weeds, but not very active.  

Northern Pike–You know fishing is tough when pike slow down, and that appears to be the case right now.  A few anglers saw some small pike, mostly on spinnerbaits.  Small bucktails and spinners are great choices right now for pike, and they too are related to weeds.

Walleye–Walleye have also been a tough bite lately, and I have heard almost zero reports on a walleye bite.  If I had to choose a style to fish for walleye right now, it would be using crawler harnesses slow trolled with bottom bouncers on deeper rocks.  Lindy rigs or jigs tipped with crawlers would be other solid choices.  I would look for fish anywhere from 12-20 FOW.

LMB–The largemouth bite has been pretty good yet, and anglers are seeing fish on topwater baits, spinnerbaits, and plastics right now.  Look for bass around lily pads and emergent vegetation.  

SMB–Smallies have been active as well, and anglers are catching them on a wide range of baits as well.  Everything from top waters to jigs and plastics are catching smallies right now.  Anglers are finding smallies on weed or rock edges adjacent to deeper water.  

Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–The panfish bite has been up and down this past week, some days fish were all over and easy to catch, and other days they had disappeared from where they were.  Nightcrawlers have been the ticket for bluegill and perch, while minnows have been great for crappie.  Gulp! and other plastics have also worked for panfish this past week.  Simply rigged under a float or cast out and retrieved through weed beds are the spots to find panfish right now.

That is all I have for this week’s report.  Sort of a stagnant bite right now, hopefully these storms will fire the fish up a little bit.  Have a great weekend, stay dry and we will talk soon!

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, some pretty good thunderstorms rolled through early this morning.  Our rain gauge shows we received about 1-1/2″ of rain.  We must have had some strong winds as well, as a few of our chairs on the deck got blown over.  We definitely needed the rain as most lakes in the area are down by about a foot.  The rain should have helped cool water temps as well, as they were steady in the upper 70s.  The bite has been fairly good for most species, while others have become quite difficult to find and catch.

Musky–Musky have been active, and anglers moved a lot of fish on spinnerbaits in the weeds, and smaller twitch/crankbaits in and around weeds and shallow structure as well.  Anglers should target musky on deeper weed edges anywhere from 8-12 FOW.

Northern pike–Pike have also been active, mostly on smaller bucktails, spinner baits and small Rapalas.  Look for pike in and around weeds as well anywhere from 3-12 FOW.

Walleye–Walleye have mostly disappeared on the lakes by us, as the bite has gotten tough.  Deep running presentations should work on most lakes, while on some lakes they hunker down in the weeds and are tough to fish out.  Crawlers harnesses, lindy rigs and other slow moving live bait presentations are great choices right now.  For weed walleye, jigs and minnows or plastics can work.

LMB–Largemouth have been hitting everything from wacky rigged plastics to small musky baits.  Buzz baits and top water frogs are seeing action too.  Look for bass in shallow weeds such as lily pads, reeds, and other emergent vegetation.

SMB–Smallies have been hitting wacky rigged plastics and also top water baits such as Whopper Ploppers.  Look for fish on or near structure, whether its rocks or weeds that are adjacent to deeper basins.

Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–Panfish are still in and around weed beds, and using live bait such as crawlers, leaf worms, and crappie minnows are great options.  Smaller baits such as beetle spins, and mimic minnows can be great options too.  Gulp! minnows are another solid option if you prefer not to use live bait.  Look for panfish anywhere from 6-12 FOW.

That is all I have for this week’s report.  Not a whole doing as we are in the summer doldrums as far as fishing goes. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg