Good morning, it is shaping up to be a fantastic weekend weather wise!! Not sure what this cold front will do to the fishing, but cooling water temps should help overall. Current water temps are in the low to mid 70s from what I am hearing. The bite in general has been pretty good, if you can stay on the spots you are fishing. The wind has been blowing pretty hard consistently all week, but it looks like it will calm down a bit after the holiday weekend.
Musky–The musky bite is still pretty hot, with fish going on the board every few days around here. The last dozen fish have been taken on small bucktails, spinnerbaits, and/or top water baits. Fish should still be relating to shallower weeds/structure and fishing with fast moving baits is the best way to target them. With the cold front that is happening this weekend it may be wise to switch it up and slow down if the bucktails stop working. Suicks, Warlocks, Phantoms or any other pause/pull baits can be excellent post frontal choices.
Northern pike–Pike are still crushing Mepps 5s and spinnerbaits in the 1/2oz and 3/4oz size. Work both of these baits over and through vegetation as pike will be in cover looking for a meal. There is really no wrong way to fish for pike, however they seem to be related pretty heavily to weed cover this time of year so fish through any weed bed you come across.
Walleye–I am not hearing anything consistent on a walleye bite as of right now. I am hearing of some big walleye being caught in non-traditional ways……3 on Suicks so far this year and good sized fish on a…..you guessed it…..a Mepps 5! With that being said, I would probably start with crank baits and work deep weed edges and rocky shore lines and points. Try to find aggressive fish with the bigger/louder baits and if you are not having luck switch it up to a more modest/finesse approach. For that I would go lindy rigs, bottom bouncers and slow death rigs with nightcrawlers.
Largemouth bass–The bass bite on spinner baits has still been strong lately with live bait (mainly nightcrawlers) under floats also working. Working baits through cover and edges of weeds/weed beds are where largemouth are hiding. On warm calm nights working frogs over lily pads this time of year is a fun way to catch largemouth, and one of the most exciting.
Smallmouth bass–Not sure many guys/gals are targeting smallies right now as I am not hearing much about catching them. Working the same crankbaits in the same locations you would for walleye this time of year would make the most sense. If they are not hitting crankbaits slow down and go finesse with tube jigs, ned rigs, drop shots, and even live bait. Start on deeper structure and work points/humps with rock or submerged wood that are adjacent to deeper sections of the lake.
Crappie–Big crappie seem to be pushing out into the basins a little bit I’m being told. Slip bobbers rigged with plain hooks or small jig heads tipped with crappie minnows are catching these suspended fish. Catching fish still relating to weeds will work this way as will casting baits like small beetle spins or
Bluegill/Perch–The gill/perch bite has still been good, lots of fish being caught in shallow bays with weeds, shorelines with sand and as always off of docks/piers. Small jigs tipped with chunks of nightcrawlers or waxies are working.
Everyone have a great holiday weekend!!
Greg