Good morning, air temps look mild this week with a little warm up mid week. Lows still in the 40s and 50s so that should help keep the water temps where we want them. Not calling for rain really until next weekend and the first part of next week, but that’s a little far out to trust just yet. I am hearing the water temps have dipped down into the mid to low 60s which should be a good thing for fishing. The bite has been tough, but fish should start to feel this change and really start putting the feed bag on in the next week or so.
Musky–The musky bite has slowed down quite a bit at least around here. Less anglers are fishing right now, but the ones I have talked to aren’t seeing a whole lot of fish. Anglers should still be fishing weed edges, rocks and other key structures. Slowing down and throwing bigger baits should really start to trigger bites with the water temps dropping. Dragging suckers in and around weed beds, rocks and bars should really start putting fish in the boat right now.
Northern pike–It has been a couple of weeks since I have heard of anyone catching any kind of northern pike big or small. PIke should be holding tight in cover roaming weed beds, shallow flats, and any shallow structure that is holding panfish. Smaller baits such as spinnerbaits, small bucktails, and swimbaits will all still catch fish. Walleye and musky suckers should produce fish as well.
Walleye–The walleye bite has been a tough one since the big heat wave over labor day weekend. Fish have pushed deep and been negative for a lot of anglers. Most fish anglers are finding are in 16-20 FOW but just aren’t hitting any baits well. Lots of reports of fish on graphs/sonar but not alot getting into the net. Bottom bouncers, jigs tipped with fatheads or walleye suckers, and slow trolling crankbaits are all good places to start to try to put a few walleye in the boat.
LMB–Anglers are still catching decent numbers of largemouth, most are coming on minnows (crappie or fatheads) while fishing other species. I have had a few anglers say they are doing well on Texas rigged worms in and around weed beds too.
SMB–I don’t have much of a report on smallmouth right now. From other guys I have scouted on the internet they are finding fish on shallow rocks. I would target fish in the afternoons after those rocks warm up a bit and fish push shallow.
Crappie–The crappie bite has picked back up and anglers are doing well catching them in deeper water close to bottom. Most of what I am hearing fish are holding in about 20 FOW and hitting jigs/plastics or jigs/minnows right near the bottom. Slip bobbers with jigs under them are working as well.
Bluegill/Perch–Nightcrawlers are still selling, but I don’t get a lot of reporting on the panfish bite. Fish should be pushing into shallow weeds as there is still good oxygen there. Lower light/less light as we are getting into fall means less weed growth and fish will stick to weed beds that are still green and healthy. Small jigs or bare hooks tipped with nightcrawlers or waxies should still catch fish.
Archery season starts today so some guys/gals will be hitting the woods. Bear season has been under way and I have heard of a few being harvested. Fall is here and getting into full swing! Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg