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