Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, the weather looks pretty good to head out into the woods this weekend with temps hovering right around 40 degrees. Snow showers Monday will give way to ice making temperatures starting Tuesday, and if the forecast holds true we will be seeing highs in the teens and lows in the single digits by next weekend!!! I know that doesn’t excite most folks, but I am ready to get on the hard water to do some fishing! Water temps have dropped significantly and the last report I got water temps were in the upper 30s. Lake levels bounced back a little bit as we had some good rains last week. We saw 1-1/4″ of rain in one day last week and we had plenty more than that off and on. I have had very few anglers in the bait shop this past week, so I really don’t have much of a report for this week.

Musky–There are a few musky anglers still hitting the water and from what I am hearing most action is on suckers if folks can find them. SLOW presentations will be key with water temps dropping into the 30s as fish are looking for larger, easier meals to bulk up before the ice sets. Look for fish on deep weed or rock edges and work through areas slowly as well.

Pike–Bigger pike should be putting the feed bag on as well, and will likely be in the same general areas as musky. They too will take advantage of bigger, slower moving baits and live bait as well.

Walleye–Eyes’ were holding in deeper water over the past couple of weeks, and that sounds to still be the case. Look for fish in 15-25 FOW and work deep rocks and weeds. Jigging with walleye suckers or bigger plastics seems to be getting the job done for walleye right now.

LMB–No report.

SMB–No report.

Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–Nothing to report on a panfish bite right now either. Crappie and perch should be pushing to deeper water and schooling up, but that is more of a guess than an actual observation.

Good luck to everyone hitting the woods in orange this weekend and we hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!!!

Greg

Good evening from the Quiet Lakes, mild temps this weekend and through midweek.  Tuesday looks to bring rain, and Wednesday, it may change over to snow with temps dropping and holding in the 30s.  Maybe late fall is finally going to arrive?!  Water temps are dropping, and fish are putting on the feed bag.  I am hearing water temps are down to about 43, and the fishing has been pretty consistent.  

Musky–Musky anglers are seeing fish mainly on suckers and most people are seeing at least a fish or two a day.  Fish are pushing to the deeper edges of weed and rock, and any points/bars that are adjacent to deep water.  If using artificial baits, SLOW them way down.  Glide baits with a few seconds pause, or dive and rise baits with extra weight added to slow down the rise of them.  

Northern pike–Pike are also putting on the feed bag and are swiping most anglers’ musky suckers.  Pike, too, are susceptible to any type of bait with a pause or slow fall.  Northern will still be in and around weed beds and on deep edges.

Walleye–Walleye have finally pushed deeper and have consistently been caught there.  Look for fish in 15-20 FOW and jig them up using walleye suckers or fatheads.  No bobbers needed right now, simply tie on a jig, give it a light cast out and jig along the bottom back to the boat.

LMB–I have not heard of anyone catching any largemouth bass right now, either on purpose or on accident!

SMB–I have not heard of anyone catching smallies, but they should be in pretty much the same areas as walleye right now.  Deep rocks, or very deep weed edges in that 15-20 FOW range.  The same baits will also catch smallies right now as far as live bait.  Jigs and plastics, such as swimbaits can also be very good right now.  

Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–The panfish intel has been null lately and I have very little idea where to fish for them right now.  My best guess would be crappie and perch are starting to school up in deeper water, although if there are still green weeds they may hold in those as well.  Lake to lake may be very different as well, as some lakes generally have a weed bite and some have a basin bite.  Bluegill are most likely still in and around weed beds and slightly shallower structure.  Jigs and minnows would be the best bet for crappie and perch, while jigs and small plastics would be best for gills.

Ice is still a ways out, but next week we will be trending in the right direction for it!! Have a great weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg