Good morning from the bait shop, the fishing report is not looking great this week as the fishing has been inconsistent and it appears the summer doldrums are here. It is looking like a mixed bag for weather again this week starting out hot, then getting some precipitation mid week and looks to be stable by the end of the week with temps in the mid 80s. Maybe this warm front and cool down will get fish moving a little bit.
Musky–Musky are biting, however they seem to be on the smaller end of the tape measure with not many fish at all over 40″ being reported. They still seem to be on a small bucktail bite around weeds. Most fish are being caught on Mepps #5s or Mepps Musky Killers from what I am hearing. Focus on good weed beds and at dawn and dusk the topwater bite should see some action as well.
Northern pike–The northern pike bite has also been a bit slow for this time of year. There are still fish around, they just do not seem to be very active right now. Down sizing baits and slowing down the presentation can make negative/neutral fish eat. Pike should still be relating to the weeds both in thick weed beds and off of the edges so be sure to fish through spots thoroughly.
Walleye–Mid summer patterns should see walleye relating to deeper structure, although that is completely subjective and relative to the lake/lakes you want to fish. Some guys are still jigging with fatheads on deeper structure and others are using leeches under slip bobbers and some are pulling crawler harnesses slowly over and around these spots.
Largemouth bass–Lots of reports of good size largemouth being caught on topwater baits right now. Frogs, small whopper ploppers and baits that stay up over the weeds and around lily pads are producing well. Live bait is working well too for fish that are in deeper weeds with night crawlers and fathead minnows under bobbers catching fish.
Smallmouth bass–Deep structure (rocks/logs/cribs) are holding smallmouth and jumbo leeches jigged or on hooks under slip bobbers still catching good fish. Bouncing crankbaits off of rocks is a good way to catch smallies as well.
Crappie–The crappie seemed to have scattered and some fish are out in the basins schooled up and others are still mixing it up in the weeds. Small hair jigs tipped with waxies or crappie minnows and even plain hooks tipped with either has been working. Work deeper weed edges and main lake structure over deeper water to find them.
Perch/Bluegill–Live bait under bobbers will catch perch/bluegill anytime of year and pretty much under any conditions. If fishing off of the dock little chunks of nightcrawler are tough to beat. If out on the main lake, nightcrawlers, panfish leeches and crappie minnows all work great. Find weed beds that are near sandy shorelines and fish on the shallow edges and just into the weeds. Casting out small hair jigs or small spinning baits with plastics on them such as beetle spins or mister twisters can also be great for panfish in summer.
Hope you guys can get out and enjoy the woods/waters!
Greg