Good morning, isn’t it always great when they get the weather wrong!?!? Haha, we got very little rain yesterday and it didn’t start until after dark, although we could use a good soaker rain as all of the lakes are pretty low. The rest of the weekend looks pleasant, temps will be comfortable and the only chance of rain is late tonight. While the weather has been better, the fishing has slowed down quite a bit. Here is this weeks rundown…..
Musky–The musky action continues to be consistent with lots of fish being seen and a fair number hitting the net. Bucktails have been good, as have top water baits. Some fish are eyeing up jerk baits as well. Musky are still relating to weeds and structure relatively shallow depending on what lake you are on. Water levels are low, so some structure may hold fish shallower than you would think.
Northern Pike–The northern bite has still been good, mostly on bucktails and spinner baits. Some things never change!! They have also been blowing up smaller top water baits over weeds and around lily pads as well. Look for weed beds with lots of baitfish dimpling the surface and there is a good chance a predator will be underneath/around them.
Walleye–I wish I had a better report for a walleye bite but I do not…….Jigs tipped with fat head minnows seem to still be the most popular way to go to target eyes’ right now. I would start shallower than you think you need to and work deeper if need be. Start out on rocks/wood/weeds and anywhere else that will hold bait fish and where the bigger fish will follow. Work the edges of the structure with the jig and minnow, and if they are not hitting that, slow down and go finesse with a drop shot tipped with crawler to help hook up with finicky fish.
Largemouth bass–Largemouth action has still been good on live bait under a float and on smaller artificial baits as well. Swim jigs with plastic trailers, spinner baits/buzz baits, and even smaller top water baits are still catching numbers of bass. Again, focus should be working weed beds/edges and shore line weeds as well.
Smallmouth bass–Tube jigs, crank baits, jigs tipped with fatheads and anything worked toward bottom on deeper structure is a good place to start in your search for smallies. I don’t have a lot in actual fish catch reports, but smallies should be holding in deeper water this time of year.
Crappie–The crappie bite has probably slowed down the most of any fish lately. I am hearing mixed things of some being out in the basins and some still being caught on weed edges that head towards the basin. Crappie minnows on small jigs under slip floats seem to be producing best. Use your electronics to find schools of fish and try to pick them apart once you do!
Bluegill/perch–Not much has changed in the way to fish for panfish. Nightcrawlers underneath a float in and around docks/piers is pretty much the way to go. If you are in the boat, focus on the shallow weed edges closest to shore or lay down timber on shorelines as well. Panfish will hide out from predators in the shallow weeds and in the timber. Small hair jigs tipped with waxies can still be a great option as well for panfish this time of year.
I know it’s not the report everyone wants to hear but, such is fishing!!!! For other outdoor enthusiasts, a few of the hunting seasons are now underway as well. Archery & Crossbow, Bear, fall Turkey, and youth Duck seasons all start today September 17th. If you get out in the woods or on the water, good luck!!
Greg