Good morning from the Northwoods. Cooler temps than last week should help for the gun deer season which gets underway TODAY!! Not making ice yet on the lakes but looks to start by the end of the week with highs right around freezing and some lows down into the low teens. From what I am hearing from anglers water temps are right around the 40 degree mark.
Musky–The musky bite will stay good until ice prevents us from fishing for them. Some big fish are being caught on live bait on sharp breaks that head off into deeper water. Slow moving artificial baits and big suckers are the ticket.
Northern pike–No report on Northern pike right now. My best guess would be to fish weed edges that are adjacent to deep water.
Walleye–A few anglers are targeting them but not much on the how or where they are catching them. All I can say is they were buying walleye suckers so live bait is again what is working. Suckers fished on jig heads tossed out and worked back to the boat is how I am guessing they are working the bait. Anglers should see walleye pushing up into shallower water chasing baitfish.
LMB/SMB–Still no report on either species of bass.
Crappie–Crappie should also be pushing up into shallow water as we get closer to first ice. Fish deep edges that used to hold vegetation. Crappie minnows on jig heads or under a bobber will still catch fish.
Bluegill/Perch–Fish weeds for panfish right now as they should still be in shallow water. Look for weeds that still have some life. Even dead vegetation will hold fish this time of year as they are still holding in spots with good oxygen. Small jigs and minnows or plastics will catch fish.
That’s all I got for this weeks’ report. Most outdoorsman/women will be in the woods heavy this week so not much to report on the fish. Good luck to anyone heading out into the woods for gun season, stay safe and enjoy the hunt!
Greg