Fishing Report

Good morning from the Northwoods, dry conditions continue today, but tomorrow looks to bring some much needed rain with a 70% chance. Then hot and dry the rest of the week with the only other possibility of precipitation coming the following week. We did have a couple of cold fronts and strong north winds this past week, which has brought the lake temps back down to a more normal level for this time of year. Lakes are dropping quickly with the lack of rain however so anglers should take notice if fishing around rocks or other structures that could damage props or trolling motors. The fishing has remained pretty good overall despite these changing conditions.

Musky–The musky bite has picked up over the last week, and most fish are being taken on small baits right now. I have heard reports of fish hitting small bucktails, bass sized spinner baits and a couple on a jig/minnow combo while walleye fishing. Look for fish in and around weed beds, and some skinny water as I have also heard reports of anglers kayaking some of the rivers and doing very well on musky using top water baits as well.

Northern pike–Pike have remained active and most are coming also on smaller bucktails and spinner baits. Quite a few anglers have also been catching them on crankbaits fished in and out of cover as well.

Walleye–The walleye bite right now still seems to fish holding on the deep weed edges and most anglers are catching them on simple set ups such as a jig tipped with a leech or a slip bobber and a leech. If anglers don’t like dealing with leeches, fathead minnows are another great option right now.

Largemouth bass–The largemouth bite has been as hot as the weather lately and doesn’t look to slow down anytime soon. Anglers are catching them on everything from nightcrawlers to spinnerbaits to topwater baits. They seem to be in pretty shallow water and inhaling frogs right now. Fish shallow weeds, especially lily pads and reeds.

Smallmouth bass–The smallmouth bite has been good with anglers working structure with ned rigs. Sounds like fish are on hard bottoms that transition into the basins. My guess would be any kind of baits worked close to bottom should be good right now. Drop shots, ned rigs, and even jig heads with tubes on them will all produce.

Crappie–The crappie bite has been pretty consistent lately with anglers finding fish in 6-10 FOW and fishing weed beds. Live bait seems to be working the best from what I am hearing.

Bluegill/Perch–The panfish bite has been hot lately although you have to weed through a bunch of small fish to get some good ones. Most anglers are doing well on leaf worms for panfish right now. Sounds like a simple hook and worm is the way to go for bluegill and perch. Fish are still in shallow and will be focused on shoreline with structure such as docks/trees/and any other stuff hanging down into the water column.

Things will be getting busy in town this week with Musky Fest next weekend. Weather looks good for that so it should be a good turnout. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg

Good morning, a little bit of rain overnight last night, but nowhere near what we need. Things are very dry and lakes are a little lower than where they should be this time of year. This weekend highs are supposed to only be in the 60s which is good to help moderate that, but temps look to climb back into the upper 70s and low 80s during the week. Not much in the way of precipitation the rest of the week either. The lakes are also very warm already with most lakes in the mid to upper 70s and I have had multiple people tell me the Chip is right around 80 degrees. The fishing has remained pretty solid for most species and my guess would be it will continue with this stable weather.

Musky–The musky bite hasn’t really taken off yet and I think part of that problem is the water got too warm too quick. I was out most of the day Tuesday of last week fishing musky pretty hard and we had no luck. We only saw one fish after throwing a walleye jig out in deeper water. Other than that, we didn’t find any musky where they are “supposed” to be. Such is musky fishing! So switch things up and try to get on a pattern that works, we were working weed beds with bucktails mainly, and then topwaters later in the day.

Northern pike–We crushed the pike while we were out boating 10. Most of the pike came on a small bucktail in about 8 FOW fishing over weed beds. A few of the others came on spinnerbaits in the same areas.

Walleye–The walleye bite has remained pretty good since the fishing opener. The bite right now seems to be fish holding on the deep weed edges and most anglers are catching them on simple set ups such as a jig tipped with a leech or a slip bobber and a leech.

Largemouth bass–We also caught a few largemouth in those same weed beds as the pike, the spinnerbaits doing the work on the bass. I have also had anglers telling me they are doing good on wacky rigs right now as well. Sounds like fish are mostly off of their beds and out in slightly deeper water. I would look for fish in the 3-5 FOW range vs up on the shorelines. With water temps so high, casting topwater baits into lily pads could be a great choice as well.

Smallmouth bass–The smallmouth bite has been good with anglers working structure with ned rigs. Sounds like fish are on hard bottoms that transition into the basins. My guess would be any kind of baits worked close to bottom should be good right now. Drop shots, ned rigs, and even jig heads with tubes on them will all produce.

Crappie–The crappie bite has slowed down quite a bit and fish have spawned and scattered. I’m not sure they are schooled up out in basins yet, but I don’t think they are in shallow weeds anymore either. Anglers may want to start working deeper weeds with jigs and minnows. I haven’t heard a whole lot on anything else as far as crappie lately.

Bluegill/Perch–The panfish bite has been hot lately although you have to weed through a bunch of small fish to get some good ones. Most anglers are doing well on leaf worms for panfish right now. Sounds like a simple hook and worm is the way to go for bluegill and perch. Fish are still in shallow and will be focused on shoreline with structure such as docks/trees/and any other stuff hanging down into the water column.

Not a big change from last week and should give anglers a good starting point if they choose to come up! Mosquitos were slowing down a bit, but with the rain last night they were out in force this morning. Anyway, have a great weekend everyone and we will talk soon.

Greg