Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, overnight temps are starting to dip pretty good, and we have a solid cold front to start the week with temps in the 60s. By the end of the week we get back up to the mid to upper 70s, however the nights look to be down in the 40s which should help us get more into a fall fishing pattern.  We have a 50% chance of rain today, but the rest of the week looks dry.  Water temps are still in the low 70s and from what I am hearing the fishing has reflected that.

Musky–The musky bite has still been good and fairly consistent on a smaller fast moving bait bite.  Bucktails are still working and given the water temps still being so high, anglers should throw top water baits as well.  Live bait will start to become effective with these cold fronts and cooler nights.  Fish are still holding in and around the deep weed edges.

Northern Pike–Pike have still been active chasing spinner baits and bucktails in and around weed beds also.  I have not heard much for any kind of size to the pike, but angles are seeing some action.

Walleye–Anglers are finding walleye in spots you would expect for a late summer pattern.  Deep edges in 15-20 FOW using jigs/plastics or minnows seem to be working best.  Trolling crankbaits could be good as well, as could bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses right now.  That will change as the water starts to turnover and cool down.

LMB–I honestly have nothing to report on a largemouth bite, although a few have been caught here and there on smaller inline spinners and spinnerbatis.  Just fish any green weeds you are still finding and you will most likely find bass.  

SMB–Smallies should be in and around the same structure as walleye right now so if you find one, there is a good chance the other is nearby.  You can probably also catch them on mostly the same style of bait right now.  

Crappie–Crappie have still been sprinkled in the shallow weed beds and out deep in basins.  Crappie minnows have been the ticket and should continue to be the best choice as water temps cool.  

Bluegill/Perch–Panfish should still be relating to shallower weed beds right now and will continue to do so until the water really drops in temp.  There is still great oxygen in the weeds and that will hold panfish.  Leaf worms and waxies tipped on jig heads or hooks would make more sense than big chucks of crawlers right now.  

That is all I got for a report for this week.  Not a great one by any means but that is how it goes this time of year.  Folks will probably be in town for Fall Fest and to enjoy some of the nice weather for this time of year.  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, another warm week of weather on tap with temps right around 80 until next weekend. Slightly cooler today (75) with a chance of rain this afternoon. Almost zero chance of precipitation after today’s rain so it should be a nice week. Water temps have stayed right around the 70 degree mark and will probably continue through this week. Fishing has been pretty good with the consistent weather for most species.

Musky–Anglers are still seeing fish on faster moving baits such as bucktails and topwaters. That trend should continue this coming week with the warm weather, and fish should still be relatively shallow in and around weed beds. Good throw back baits on raised fish would be Suicks, Bulldawgs, and gliders such as Warlocks.

Northern pike–Pike have still been active and hitting most everything. Anglers are finding them in and around weeds on all sorts of baits. Spinner baits, chatter baits and even smaller baits such as crappie minnows are all working to catch fish.

Walleye–Walleye have been elusive lately as I have just not heard much on a walleye bite. Time of year and weather would say walleye should be in deep water on rocks or bottom transitions from hard to soft bottom. Jigs and minnows or walleye suckers anywhere from 12-20 FOW may find fish. Trolling deep crankbaits or using bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses could work well too.

LMB–The topwater bite should get good again for largemouth with warm weather and warm water temps for this time of year. Whopper Ploppers, frogs and buzzbaits would be good lures to throw. Spinnerbaits and skirted jigs should work well to find suspended fish.

SMB–I have not been hearing much on a smallie bite right now either. My guess is you will find smallies mixed in with walleye on deep rocks or deep bottom transitions.

Crappie–The crappie bite has been great with anglers finding them all over the water column depending on the lake. Shallow weed beds have been good on lakes with a typical weed bite and crappie have been schooled up deep on lakes with a deep basin. Most fish have been caught on jigs and minnows (either crappie or fathead) in both situations.

Bluegill/Perch–Bluegill and perch have still been caught in shallower weed beds mostly on crawlers and leaf worms.

For those curious about a hunting report, I did get some reports of some nice bear being harvested in the past couple of weeks so the woods have been good. The archery season starts today and I have a few nice deer on my trail cams I am going to target this year! Might be a little warm yet to target them but good to know they are around! Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg