Fishing report 18 July 2026

Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, last week was a rough one! Between mid 90 degree heat, and smoke so thick you could cut it with a knife, not a whole lot was going on around the bait shop.  Considerably cooler temps this week and some rain possible on Monday should hopefully bring water temps down to a reasonable number.  I am hearing anywhere between 83-85 degree water on most lakes and the fishing has pretty much shut down aside from bass and panfish.  

Musky–Most anglers stopped targeting musky over this past week as the water is just too warm right now, and for the few anglers that were selective when they targeted them, they didn’t see much.  My guess is the ‘skies have either rooted down into the depths of the cabbage where the water is darker and cooler, or they are pushed out into the basins looking for a thermocline and cooler water.  Bucktails or spinnerbaits around weed beds, or crank baits or rubber baits thrown out in the basins are good choices right now. Like I said in last week’s report, anglers should be mindful of chasing musky right now……be prepared and keep the fish in the water as much as possible!!!!

Pike–The pike bite has been okay and anglers are finding some pike around weeds.  Smaller spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and live bait have had action for pike.  Look for pike anywhere from 3-12 FOW right now and work baits through weed beds.

Walleye–Walleye have become tight lipped in this heat as well as most of the other species.  Deep transitions may be holding some fish, and some fish may be pushed out fully into the basins and chasing balls of baitfish.  Jigs and leeches or crawlers presented vertically on those deep transitions can catch walleye right now, as can trolling crank baits or bottom bouncers rigged with crawlers or leeches in the basins for suspended fish.  Anglers should look for fish anywhere from 10-25 FOW depending on the lake they are on.

LMB–Largemouth have not been as active as I would have guessed with the warmer water, but anglers are finding bass in and around weeds.  Lily pads, cabbage, and bulrushes all seem to be holding fish.  Spinnerbaits, top water baits, and plastics and live bait are all good choices for largemouth right now.  

SMB–Smallies have been active on deep transitions, and anglers are catching them on jig and leech combos worked over these transitions.  Look for smallies in anywhere from 8-15 FOW and on the deep weed edges or where mid lake reefs head into the abyss.

Crappie–The crappie bite has probably been the most consistent in this heat, and anglers are doing well finding crappie in 6-10 FOW in weeds.  Crappie minnows really seem to be working as do baits such as beetle spins, mimic minnows, or other smaller jig/plastic combos.

Bluegill/Perch–Gills and perch can be found in and around weed beds and shorelines as well, and anglers are having luck mostly on leaf worms and crawlers for panfish.  

That is all I have for this week’s report.  I just got an alert on my phone that we may have more air quality issues this weekend, but I don’t think it is supposed to be as bad as it was.  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg