Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, great weather on tap for the weekend and first part of the week. Upper 70s into the low 80s for the week with a good chance of rain on Wednesday. Not bad for mid July, and better than 90 degrees and flat calm! Last week’s storms and rain dropped water temps considerably which is excellent news for fishing, but Musky in particular. I am hearing water temps have dropped down into the low 70s on a few of the area lakes.
Musky–The musky bite has picked up and water temps are favorable for active ‘skies right now. Burning bucktails over weeds should produce fish right now, as well as top water baits. Look for musky in and around shallow weeds right now and work through weed beds and shallow bars with weeds on them.
Northern Pike–Pike have been active and hitting all sorts of baits. Top water bass baits, spinnerbaits, and small bucktails have all produced pike recently. PIke will also relate to shallow weedy bays and weed beds.
Walleye–The walleye bite has been fair, and anglers are finding bite windows mainly at dusk and just into dark. Snap jigging baits and jigging leeches or minnows off of deep weed edges has been working to catch fish.
LMB–Largemouth have been active in pretty shallow water and anglers are having success on spinnerbaits, live bait such as crawlers, and top water baits such as buzz baits and prop style baits such as whopper ploppers. Throw baits around docks, lily pads, and any other emergent weeds in the lake.
SMB–Smallies have been found on those deep weed transitions as well. Wacky rigs and drop shotting is working to catch smallmouth right now. Live bait such as leeches and crawlers worked towards these bottom transitions can be great options as well.
Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–All of the panfish seem to be relating to weeds, whether that is weed beds, shorelines with weeds, or shallow weedy bays. Look for panfish anywhere from 3-12 FOW. Crappie minnows, leaf worms, nightcrawlers and small plastics have all been working to catch panfish. Rigged under a float or cast out on small jigs and jigged through the weeds have been great choices lately.
That is all I have for this week’s report. Nothing too exciting, but fishing should pick up with slightly cooler water temps. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg