Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, looks like a wonderful week to start the open water season for 2025! The weather could not be better with temps mainly in the 70s with a dip on Wednesday down to 51 degrees.  Then back up into the low 70s to close out the week.  Right now I am seeing no rain in the forecast this week or next.  Water temps are right around the high 40s and low 50s on most lakes, but this week should warm up shallow lakes pretty significantly.  

Walleye–Anglers should most likely find ‘eyes off of rocky points, mid lake structure/reefs or sandy/rocky bottom transitions right now.  At daylight or dusk hours walleye should push up shallow chasing baitfish.  Fathead minnows rigged on jigheads is probably the most common way anglers will catch walleye right now.  Artificial baits, such as Rapala husky jerks, Livingston jerkamaster, and other minnow style baits can also work well right now.  Leeches may also work as far as livebait, but water temps may be a little cold for that bite right now.  

Northern Pike–Anglers should find pike in and around shallow bays or weed beds.  Spinnerbaits, smaller Mepps spinners and shallow running crankbaits are all great options to target early pike.  They will also eat many livebait offerings that are in close proximity to them no matter how big or small.  

LMB–Largemouth bass should also be in and around shallow weedy bays or weed beds.  Spinnerbaits worked a little bit deeper in the water column should catch fish as they won’t be on shallow beds yet.  Jigs and minnows or skirted jigs can work well too. 

SMB–Smallies will most likely be around the same rocky/sandy structure as walleye right now and can be caught on a lot of the same set-ups as you would fish for walleye.  Namely live bait, but they will hit crankbaits as well.  Deeper running crankbaits bounced off of rocks and stirring up bottom can be very effective to catch smallies right now.

Crappie–The crappie bite has been pretty good and anglers are finding them in anywhere from 7-15 FOW depending on the lake.  Some fish are out in the basins yet, while others are setting up on deep weed edges.  Fish are still in pre-spawn and are in predictable places of historic pre-spawn spots.  Jigs and minnows under a float, or jigs and plastics or baits such as Northland Mimic Minnows, or Berkley’s new Minnotators can be a great way to catch aggressive crappie.

Bluegill/Perch–Bluegill historically should be up a little tighter into new weed growth or slightly warmer water.  Anglers may have luck with leaf worms or waxies rigged on smaller hooks or jigs under a float.  Perch can be around those same areas, although they will most likely be favoring the deep edges of the weeds or just into the basins off of those weed lines.  Jigs and crappie minnows would be an excellent choice to target Perch right now.  

Good luck to all of the anglers getting out today and this weekend!! Have a great one and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, water temps have been warming considerably and I am hearing reports of some area lakes already into the mid 40s.  The forecast shows chances of rain tomorrow, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and then a fantastic opening weekend.  Sunny and a high of 64 Saturday and sunny and 70 on Sunday!!  Water levels seem to be in pretty good shape as well and the more rain we get the better to start the season.  Folks might try some of these areas for fish next weekend……

Walleye–Anglers should find walleye just off of breaks, particularly at dusk and into the first hour of dark.  These past couple of weeks they have been in shallow spawning and most likely won’t be too far from those spots.  They will still be coming into those shallows at night to feed  and throwing baits such as jigs/plastics, Rapala rippin raps or husky jerks and other crank/minnow baits will be excellent choices for opener.  Live bait rigged on jigheads such as fathead minnows or walleye suckers are also a opening weekend option that has been tried and true.  

Pike–While most anglers won’t target pike for opener they will no doubt be present and harassing any baits that come in close proximity to them.  Anglers will most likely see pike in and around weeds anywhere from 5-15 FOW.  Crankbaits, inline spinners and spinnerbaits would all be great choices to target pike.  Crappie minnows and fatheads or suckers on jigheads and jigs under a bobber will also catch pike.

SMB–While anglers cannot harvest smallmouth bass yet, they may see them mixed in with walleye, particularly on breaks with rocks.  Points, mid lake reefs, and bottom transitions with rocks or boulders will hold both smallies and walleye.  Anglers will most likely catch smallies on the same baits they are using for walleye as well.

Crappie–Crappie should be staging up to spawn in weed beds or big weed flats.  Traditionally, a crappie minnow rigged on a #6 gold aberdeen hook under a spring or slip float accounted for all of the crappies in our boat while drifting through weed beds.  With today’s rods, anglers can cast small jig/plastic or livebait combos through weeds and catch them as well.  There are some really cool plastics out there specific to crappie and panfish and rigging them on a 1/16th or 1/32 oz jighead can catch piles of fish.  

Bluegill/Perch–Bluegill and perch should also be relating to weeds right now and they can all be caught on the above mentioned baits.  

Spring is a great time to fish for anything as it can be a truly mixed bag of what anglers can catch on any bait!  The next report will be opening day, but most of what I said above should still apply to the current bite.  If anything drastic changes I will keep everyone posted, but it shouldn’t change much at all.  I know I didn’t cover all species, but these are most likely to be fished in the next few weeks.  Have a great weekend, good luck to all anglers who come up for opener, and we will talk soon!

Greg