Fishing Report

Musky–Musky action has been picking up and should continue to be good as we will have some stable weather starting mid week.  Most fish are being caught around weeds and still mainly on smaller baits such as bucktails and crankbaits.  A few fish have hit topwater baits which is another good sign that fish are active.  Casting topwater baits at the edge of lily pad clusters or over main lake weeds on top of bars can be a great way to approach musky this time of year.

Northern Pike–Still lots of action on pike with people catching them on everything from spinnerbaits to beetle spins to live bait.  Pike are still relating weeds and any type of structure holding smaller baitfish.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been up and down the last couple of weeks, not a lot of fish being caught, but good ones when they are.  Still hearing of some fish caught while jigging deeper structure (rocks/wood) and some being taken on bobbers and or rigs with crawlers and leeches.  Every lake is different so look at maps before you go to see what “deep” or “shallow” could mean relative to the lake you are fishing and focus on those spots once you are out on the water.

Largemouth bass–I have not heard from too many guys/gals targeting largemouth but a lot of fish are being caught by kids fishing off of the docks with nightcrawlers and some fish on spinnerbaits and plastic worms as well.  The topwater bite should be picking up any day now and casting any kind of weedles offering into heavy lily pads this time of year can produce big bass.

Smallmouth bass–The smallmouth action has still been solid, with lots of reports of fish being caught on leeches in deeper structure.  Ned rigs and other weighted plastic offerings that get down to the zone are also catching good smallies.

Crappie–The crappie bite has been pretty good with lots of fish being caught, however the fish have been on the smaller side.  A good amount of still being taken on live bait and a lot of reports on fish being taken on small jigs/plastics both casted out and retrieved and underneath bobbers.  Crappie seem to be relating to the deeper weed edges in bays or that relate to the basin of the lake.

Perch–The perch bite is still going strong with lots of perch being taken on crappie minnows in and around weeds.  Lots of fish coming off of the docks with small jigs and minnows or little chunks of nightcrawlers.

Bluegill–Not a whole lot on the bluegill bite, but as always leaf worms/waxies/nightcrawlers should always be on hand if you want to catch bluegill.  Whether fishing off of the docks at the house/cabin or fishing in the shallow weed beds around the lake, almost nothing beats a worm on a hook for gills.

Thats all I have for this week, good luck and tight lines if you get out on the water!!

Greg

Musky–The musky bite has been picking up a bit over the last week and with more consistent weather in the next week should continue to get better.  Although good numbers of fish are being caught most of them are still on the smallest musky sized baits or larger bass baits.  In line spinners and bigger spinner baits are getting the job done as well as smaller musky crank baits worked over mid lake humps and points.  Focus still more on structure vs open water basins at this point in the season as musky are still feeding on the bluegill/crappie/perch and other bait fish still relating to weeds/structure.

Northern Pike–The pike bite has been good as they are eating anything and everything pretty much anywhere in the lake.  Spinner baits, crank baits, spoons and crappie/walleye set ups are all catching northern.  A great way to get kids into a little bit bigger fish is to tie on a smaller leader to a bass rod/reel set up and cast spinner baits in and around weeds.  The leader will prevent bite offs and you can get a lot of action from pike that way.

Walleye–The walleye bite has slowed down a bit with some fish moving deeper and or burying themselves in the thick stuff.  Slip bobbers with leeches are still a good choice around deep weeds, while basin fish will be hitting on lindy rigs or crawler/leech harnesses while trolling or drifting.

Largemouth bass–Largemouth action has been pretty consistent all year so far with good numbers and good sizes of fish being caught.  Most fish have been caught with night crawlers underneath bobbers, however the topwater bite should start to pick up as emergent weeds are hitting the surface and the water temps heat up.  Working frogs over lily pads and over emergent weed beds is a great way to target big bass.  Plastic worms and drop shot/ned rigs work great for bass relating more to deep structure as well.

Smallmouth bass–Lots of smallies being caught on slip bobber set ups with leeches on deep weed edges and deep structure.  Ned rigs/drop shots will work well on deep rocky breaks and main lake structure as well.

Crappie–Crappie are starting to move deeper towards the basins of the lakes.  Deep weed edges is a good place to start and if you find schools on your electronics out in basins fish there.  Crappie minnows on slip bobbers out deep or small hair jigs or small jigs/plastics such as tattle tails, cubbies and crappie scrubs will all catch fish.

Bluegill–Bluegills will be off their beds now and moving a little bit deeper into the weeds to hide from predators. Leaf worms and nightcrawlers still work well and fishing off of the docks will always produce fish.  If you want to target bigger gills though try the inside weed edge on bigger weed beds or fish cribs in deeper water.

Perch–Lots of perch still being caught while crappie fishing from what I hear and a majority of those fish coming on crappie minnows under bobbers.  Perch are mostly relating in and around shallow weeds/weed beds.

Happy 4th everyone and tight lines if you are out fishing!

Greg