Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, looks like we are in for a pleasant week of weather in the Northwoods. We will top out at almost 60 degrees tomorrow and the rest of the week looks like it will hold in the low 50s. Overnight lows stay above freezing so water temps will probably not cool too much this week. Lakes are way down (some to draw down, others because we have not had significant rain) and most are right around the 50 degree mark for water temp. Most lakes are at some point of the turnover or just getting into post turnover. Fishing has been pretty good and should only get better as we continue into late fall.
Musky–The musky bite is picking up and most anglers are seeing fish on live bait. Musky are starting to push off of the deeper edges of weeds and rocks in 8-15 FOW. Casting baits like Suicks, Warlocks, and bigger rubber baits such as tubes or bulldawgs or medussas will produce fish as well.
Pike–Pike are hitting musky baits and smaller musky suckers in and around still green weeds. I was out Wednesday of last week and we managed a nice pike off of a rocky point in about 10 FOW. That fish hit a musky bait right in the first turn of the figure 8.
Walleye–Anglers are doing well walleye fishing trolling crankbaits. We caught 3 last night trolling #5 Flicker shads down to about 15′ and I have heard other reports of anglers doing well trolling right now. Fish the deeper rocky points/reefs and run baits 12-18′ down.
LMB–No report on a largemouth bite and probably won’t be until ice starts to form!
SMB–I have not heard much on a smallmouth bite either, but smallies should be on deep rocks and using jigs and walleye suckers or minnows are good bait choices right now. Look for smallies anywhere from 12-20 FOW right now.
Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–Panfish are starting to push into deeper water and school up. Minnows are the best choice for bait rigged on a slip bobber or jigged over the side of the boat. Look for most panfish anywhere from 8-15 FOW.
That is all I have for this week’s report. Not a ton going on right now and will probably get slower from here until ice up. although I think we have some time left before that happens! Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg