Fishing Report

Good morning, looks to be a decent week of weather on tap with the only significant chances of rain coming Sunday and Wednesday.  Temps look to rise into the 80s by the end of the week and next weekend.  Could be a hot one for the 63rd Lumberjack Worldchampionships.  Hopefully the fishing will warm up with the weather, it was a tough bite this past week for most species, although we did fill out our first musky board of the season so that’s a good sign!

Musky–Like I said the musky bite has been pretty good, lots of small fish being caught, although I have heard a few reports of some very large fish being seen.  The baits used to catch them so far this year have been all over the board, its been mainly small bucktails mixed in with a few decent sized crankbaits and back down to crappie/walleye jigs.  Anglers can find fish in and around weed beds and any kind of structure that has shallow water and weeds close by.

Northern pike–I have not heard as many pike as earlier in the year being caught, but they should still be active given the current water temps.  Look for pike in the 6-10 FOW range and use bucktails, spinnerbaits, and crankbaits to find fish.

Walleye–Either nobody is catching walleye or no one is telling their secrets on how they are catching walleye because I have not heard anything recently.  Given time of year and water temps/levels I would focus fishing on deeper structure where bottom transitions from hard to soft.  Deep rocks, deep weed edges with subtle approaches such as lindy rigs, crawler harnesses, and bottom bouncers to keep baits in the strike zone.  

Largemouth bass–Largemouth have still been active, lots of fish coming on spinnerbaits, frogs, and on both plastic and real worms.  Bass are hanging around both emergent and submergent weeds so look for fish there and up on shallow sandy shorelines.

Smallmouth bass–Smallies have been active on deeper rock structure so far this year on baits such as drop shots, ned rigs, deep diving crankbaits and live bait.  Deep is relative on all lakes, but look for where the hard and soft bottoms meet.  

Crappie–The crappie have vanished with walleye evidently because I am not hearing much on a crappie bite.  A few anglers have seen them on their electronics, but even then have struggled to catch them.  It sounds like the fish they did find were relating to the basins and some were found on cribs.  Pretty much had to drop baits right on top them to get them to bite.  

Bluegill/Perch–The panfish have stayed pretty consistent throughout the season so far, although most fish have been on the smaller side of the scale.  Most fish are being caught off of the docks with chunks of nightcrawlers on small jigs/hooks.  

It has been a pretty tough bite this past week, but it should improve with the somewhat stable weather coming.  When fishing gets tough, it’s usually best to simplify set ups and slow down and work over spots longer.  The fish are still there, sometimes you just need to hang baits in front of them longer to get them to eat.  

Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning, great weather on tap for this weekend and the coming week. Only slight chances of rain today Monday and Wednesday. Temps look to stay in the 70s until at least next weekend and the last few nights have cooled down nicely keeping the water temps in a good spot. I am hearing low to mid 70s on the lakes by us. The cool down has turned the fish on a little bit from what I am hearing so let’s jump into the report….

Musky–The musky bite has overall been pretty good all year, I am hearing there have been a lot of follows all year and in the past few days most of those fish have been eating. Small baits are still hot with many fish coming from smaller bucktails, spinnerbaits and even some bass lures. I have heard a few fish being caught on bigger Medussas, Bulldawgs, and tubes as well so if something doesn’t seem to be working, mix it up a bit. Look for fish around structure such as points, neckdowns, weeds, rocks or any kind of timber that could be holding baitfish.

Northern–If you are targeting pike, the bite has been great all year. Anglers are catching pike on everything from spinnerbaits, bucktails, and topwater baits to nightcrawlers under bobbers and jigs/minnows. Pike have mostly been found in and around shallow weeds in bays off of the main lake. Throw anything and everything in the weeds and on the edges and you will have a great shot and landing some pike.

Walleye–Walleye have seemed to move out a bit deeper lately, but anglers are finding them and the bite seems pretty good. Most anglers have told me you have to let them take the bait for a bit before setting the hook or you will come up empty. Anglers are finding fish on the deep weed edges that drop off out into the basin. Slip bobbers with leeches under them seem to be working the best right now also.

Largemouth bass–Loads of largemouth have been caught so far this year, lots on crawlers and plastic worms and lots on topwater baits such as frogs and prop style baits. Most of the fish on crawlers have been caught by anglers panfishing in shallow weedy areas of the lake. Frogs and prop style baits have mainly been worked over lily pads and emergent reed beds. Spinnerbaits and small inline spinners have worked well also when thrown into weedy cover.

Smallmouth bass–Great numbers of smallmouth have been caught this year so far as well. Lots of fish being caught on leeches while fishing for walleye so look for smallies in those same areas. I am hearing lots of good size to them and some amazing battles with these fish. If leeches don’t work, deep diving cranks, ned rigs, and even drop shot rigs will all produce for smallies. Look for fish in deeper water (deep weed edges, deep rocks, main lake points that extend into the basin).

Crappie–The crappie bite went cold for a little bit, but they seem to be heating up again. Anglers are finding fish in weed beds at kind of a mid depth range 6-10 FOW and crappie minnows rigged on small jigs/bare hooks under bobbers seem to be the ticket. It sounds like anglers have had to weed through a bunch of small fish before getting into some nicer ones while they are out.

Bluegill/perch–I have not heard much on anglers targeting these panfish, but we have been selling a LOT of nightcrawlers and it sounds like kids and adults alike have been catching lots of fish from docks/piers wherever they are staying. Shallow cover or inside weed edges would be good spots to start if wanting to fish for them out on the boat. Simple set ups with bobbers and plain hooks tipped with a chunk of crawlers should work just fine.

Crazy to think we are already past the 4th, but summer is in full swing and the weather and fish have been cooperating for the most part!! Everyone have a great weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg