Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, I’m not sure we are going to get to the forecasted +/- 3″ of rain they were calling for. It looks like most of the heavy rain went south and it has been light and scattered here at best. It appears this coming week is going to be great weather with temps in the mid to upper 70s and very little chances of rain until Friday. Hopefully stable weather brings some better fishing as the bite has been tough as of late. Water temps are still hovering right around the 70 degree mark.

Musky–The musky bite has been decent this past week as we just filled up our first musky board here at the shop yesterday. Small bucktails and spinnerbaits have been the best lures so far. Fish are in and around weed beds right now and that should continue throughout the summer. A few fish have been seen/caught on top water baits also so start shallow and work deeper if you have no action.

Northern pike–Pike have still been hitting everything lately but most of the pike caught have all been on the smaller side. Small crank baits, spinner baits, and live bait have all been working to catch pike right now. Pike too are in and around shallow weeds.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been tough, most anglers have gone to live bait and slow presentations such as slip bobbers and leeches. Jigging fathead minnows is another option to try. Walleye are still coming up shallow at dusk/night and are probably not very deep during the day yet. I would look for fish in the 8-12 FOW range during the day and fish anywhere from 3-8 FOW as twilight sets in.

LMB–Anglers are fairing ok on a largemouth bite, spinnerbaits and live bait seem to be the best right now. Bass are pushing shallow and starting to hit on topwater baits as well. Fish lily pads and other typical summer weed patterns.

SMB–The smallie bite has gotten cold over the past week and I have very little to report on it. I believe they would still be coming up shallow at night, but during the day or high light periods I would fish deeper rocks where they transition to the basin. Jigs with plastics or deep running crankbaits should be good during the day, and leeches or live bait or topwaters should produce at dusk.

Crappie–The crappie bite has gotten a bit better, but fish are still sporadic and have been on the smaller size. Crappie minnows fished under a bobber or small plastics on a jig in and around weed beds have been the spots to fish.

Bluegill/Perch–It sounds like bluegill have not spawned yet, and no reports of fish beds in the shallows. Work weed beds in 4-5 FOW for panfish and as the water warms up this next week you may find fish up on shallow sandy shorelines.

Hayward has its Muskyfest going on this weekend so if the fishing sucks head to town!! Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, looks like we are in for a soggy week.  We have very high chances of rain everyday for the next 7 days with temps kind of up and down in that time as well.  Mostly 70s with a couple 80+ degree days sprinkled in.  Lows at night are staying warmer which should help warm the lakes up a bit and get fish active.  I have not heard a number on water temps, but they should be mid to upper 60s with the weather we have had.  Fishing has been tough for most species from the reports I am getting.

Musky–The musky bite has been decent but not great.  Lots of fish lazily following baits but not commiting.  Smaller presentations seem to be the most consistent way to put fish in the bag, with Mepps #5s and Musky Killers doing the trick.  A few fish still being caught by walleye/bass anglers on small jigs and plastics as well.  Throw small and fish weeds.

Pike–Pike have still been eating anything and everything around them.  Top water baits such as frogs and poppers, spinner baits, crankbaits, and live bait are still getting pikes attention.  Shallow weed beds are prime spots for pike right now.

Walleye–Walleye have been all over the place from lake to lake, as I have heard some anglers doing well on deep transitions and some doing well way up shallow on rocks.  Fathead minnows or leeches on jigs seem to be producing, but the walleye on shallow rocks hit a musky glide bait in about 3 feet of water!?!  Sometimes I wonder if knowing nothing about fishing would be better off than trying everything you think you know and not getting results while targeting any species!!!!

LMB–The largemouth bite has been pretty good and fish are starting to hit on topwater baits.  Frogs, poppers, and prop style baits are working as well as plastic worms jigged in and around weeds.  Bigger minnows, crawlers, and leeches are working if you want to fish live bait presentations.

SMB–The smallie bite has been good lately particularly at dusk when fish are pushing up shallower and chasing baitfish.  Anglers are catching them on live bait and artificials both with leeches doing well for live bait and plastics on jigs, and top water baits doing well for artificial baits.  Rocky, sandy shorelines seem to be holding smallies right now during both high and low light conditions.

Crappie–The crappie never really materialized this spring and anglers are still finding them to be very hit or miss.  It sounds like anglers are finding crappie anywhere from 6-12 FOW and minnows seem to be the best way to catch them.  Anglers not wanting to use live bait may see success casting out small jig heads with plastics on them.  Sliders and Crappie Scrubs are working as well as Mimic Minnows.  

Bluegill/Perch–Anglers are seeing lots of beds in shallow areas so gills should be very close to if not spawning.  Crawlers underneath a bobber or slip float should make a fun day of fishing for gills.  Leeches will also work for both gills and perch.  

I wish I had a better report, but it’s a grind out there. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there and I hope everyone has a great weekend.

Greg