Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, it is starting to look like fall with all of the color change of the trees, but surely won’t feel like it this weekend as we hit the 70s and 80s!! The middle and back half of the week look to bring rain and a reality check with temps dropping back down into the low 60s. The 15 day forecast shows temps holding in those 60s, but time will tell if that forecast holds up. Water temps have dropped to right around 60 degrees and even with this warm up, they should stay pretty stable at that those temps.
Musky–The musky bite has picked up a little bit in the past few days. Skies’ are starting to move in on suckers, and anglers casting are catching fish too. Working edges of both weeds and rocks with both fast and slow moving baits can be effective. Keep suckers close, as following fish usually will come in and take the easy meal even when you don’t see them behind your bait.
Northern pike–Pike action has also picked up a bit and they too are eyeing up suckers and faster moving baits. Pike are typically holding in weeds and weed edges, and can be found anywhere from 3-15 FOW right now.
Walleye–I have not heard much on a walleye bite lately and that is most likely because the bite has been tough. With water temps dropping into the low 60s ‘eyes should be pushing towards fall spots and patterns. On most lakes that would be deep rocks, although some lakes are anomalies and fish hold to shallow weeds all year. Fathead minnows or suckers should start to outproduce crawlers and edges and bottom transitions are key. Jigging style presentations with all styles of baits will work as well.
LMB–Anglers have done really well on largemouth this season, and this warm weather has extended that bite for sure. It sounds like largemouth have been favoring minnows under bobbers or floats in and around weed beds. Look for bass anywhere from 3-10 FOW.
SMB–Smallies should be setting up on the same spots as walleye right now, and as the water continues to cool down. Deep rocks and deep weed transitions should hold smallmouth right now, and jigs/minnows or plastics would be good choices for baits.
Crappie–Crappie are all over the place right now, with some fish being found in deep basins, and others pushed tight into cover. Minnows and small plastics are the hot bite for crappie right now. Crappie can be anywhere, so if anglers have “history” spots and fish are not on those, make a change and try new locations.
Bluegill/Perch–Panfish are still mostly weed/cover related and holding to where weeds still have good oxygen. Crawlers/leaf worms may work in some situations, although minnows and plastics are probably a better choice even for big gills. Look for panfish anywhere you see green weeds, and work basins or deep edges for perch.
That is all I have for this week’s report. Some folks are out in the woods chasing bear and deer, and some are out on lakes or in fields in blinds trying for some early goose. Some are out in the woods this weekend for the Chequamegon bike race as well. No matter your hobby, if it involves the outdoors, it will be a wonderful weekend to be outside. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg