Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, Fall has arrived over the past few days with the last 3 topping out in the mid 50s with some gusty winds.  We received a fair amount of rain over the past few days and look to see some more early next week.  Temps do look to warm up into the 60s and 70s by the end of the week so we shouldn’t panic yet about it getting too cold!  Fishing has slowed down a bit, I think for a few reasons…less people are up fishing right now, and the big cold front and wind we have had have pushed fish into a neutral/negative mood.  Water temps have dropped down in the low to mid 60s which is a big change from even a week ago, which can also have something to do with shutting the fish down.  

Musky–The musky bite has gotten tough with the drop in water temps and wind and rain we have had.  Bucktails can still work fished around and on structure, however with falling water temps and vegetation starting to die off, glide baits, jerk baits, and rubber baits will all produce fish as well.  Live bait such as suckers will also start working as water temps drop.

Pike–Pike have been biting although not as hot as before.  Spinner baits, small bucktails, and crank baits twitched through weeds should still land some pike in the net.  Live baits such as small musky suckers or large walleye suckers can also work now when fished in these areas.

Walleye–I have not heard too much of a good walleye bite, but minnows and suckers should start to get good again with falling water temps and fish moving to fall feeding patterns.  Deep edges of weeds or rocks should be holding fish and anglers should start fishing for walleye on those spots and adjust deeper or shallower as needed.

LMB–Bass have been active, topwater baits had been working, although fish should be pushing into cover such as weeds and timber.  Spinner baits, suspending baits, and live bait will all catch largemouth right now. Work through weeds and around fallen trees or sunken timber.  

SMB–Smallies will be holding on similar spots to walleye right now, and working deep baits can be key.  Jigs and minnows, plastics, and crawlers can all work for smallies right now.  Focus on those deep edges anywhere from 12-20 FOW.

Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–I really have not heard much on a panfish bite of any species lately.  Crappie and perch should start to head towards deeper water and school up there, while gills will still hold to weeds/cover.  Basin fish will most likely be caught with jig/minnow combos while cover fish will still be eating worms/crawlers and waxies.  

That is all I have for this week’s report.  Not many anglers up to get info from and the weather the past week kept most of those anglers from going out.  I have heard of a few bears being harvested, but none in this direct area.  I did hear a few shotgun blasts this morning so those folks must have been going after early goose or teal.  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, it looks to be a beautiful Labor Day weekend with temps in the mid to upper 70s and very little, if any chances of rain.  That looks to change Tuesday with afternoon thunderstorms and then Fall shows up in a big way with highs in the 50s to end the week.  The fishing has picked up a bit for some species, while others have still been tough to find and catch.

Musky–The musky bite has picked up quite a bit with these cooler water temps (low 70s by evening, and down in the mid to upper 60s to start the mornings).  Bucktails, topwater baits, and jerkbaits have all produced fish over the past week and should continue to do so.  Weeds, rock, and some shallower structure seem to be holding ‘skies right now.  Most bait shops do have some smaller live bait (suckers) available, but personally I feel water temps are a bit too warm to be dragging suckers around right now.

Pike–Pike action has been decent, mainly on spinnerbaits, small inline spinners, and shallow running or floating crankbaits.  Weed edges and weed beds are still holding pike, and anglers should start there to put pike in the boat.  

Walleye–The walleye bite has been tough, although I did have a group in yesterday and they were finding ‘eyes right in the deep weed edge.  Slip bobbers with a jig and a crawler worked best for them so that would be a good place to start to chase walleye right now.

LMB–Largemouth have been active eating spinnerbaits, nightcrawlers under bobbers and topwater baits such as whopper ploppers.  Lily pads, weed beds and shoreline structure are all holding bass right now.  Plastic worms worked through these areas can work well also.  

SMB–Anglers have done well catching smallies on deeper rocky transitions.  Points and mid lake reefs/humps are holding fish, and both live bait and plastics are working.  Minnows seem to be the choice for live bait, while drop shotting shorter plastics are the choice artificially.  

Crappie–Crappie are all over the water column depending on the lake and how the lake sets up.  Some anglers are finding fish in and around weeds, while others are finding fish deep in the basin.  Minnows (both crappie and fathead) rigged on jig heads will catch crappie.  If the lake has deep basins say 20-25 FOW, check those and if you are on a shallower lake focus on weeds or weed beds.  

Bluegill/Perch–I haven’t got much of a scoop on a panfish bite as most anglers aren’t too focused on them right now, but we still have green weeds and warm water so crawlers or leaf worms rigged under a bobber and fished through weeds or off of docks are great choices.  

That is all I have for a report this week.  Bear season gets under way mid week so if we have anything to report on that next weekend I will let you know.  Have a great long weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg