Good morning from the Quiet Lakes. What a weekend it looks to be in the Northwoods, no A/C needed as temps top out right around 70s and lows down into the 50s. Much cooler weather this week with “chances” of rain Monday and Wednesday. Air temps in the 60s and low 70s and lows down into the upper 40s, should mean no A/C will be needed this week! We got a fair amount of much needed rain last week, which has helped everything! It sounds like water temps have cooled down a bit, and are right around the 70 degree mark on most lakes. Fishing has been good, and I think it will continue to get better with the cooler weather.
Musky–Musky action has picked up a bit, but it seems like ‘skies are still favoring smaller baits. Smaller crank baits and bucktails, and even top water baits are catching fish. Musky have been around weeds, both up shallow and off the deep edges.
Pike–Pike have been very active and they are eating anything and everything. Swim baits, crank baits, and live bait are all working for pike right now and anglers are seeing them in and around weeds. Look for fish anywhere from 3-12 FOW.
Walleye–The walleye bite has been pretty solid lately and anglers are doing well mostly on minnows and leeches. Anglers should work deep edges with rocks or deep weed edges. Walleye are still pushing up into the shallows at night, and anglers should work sandy shorelines/points during those times.
LMB–Largemouth have been hitting baits such as senko worms on wacky rig set ups, live bait such as fathead minnows and walleye suckers, and spinner baits. Top water baits such as frogs, prop style, and walk the dog should be great choices as well. Look for bass up in shallow weeds such as reeds, lily pads, and cabbage.
SMB–Anglers are finding smallies on deep edges, or in shallower water very close to deep water. Minnows, leeches, and jig/plastic combos have all been catching smallies lately. The smallie season doesn’t open until next Saturday June 20th here up north, so anglers should be mindful of that if they intend on harvesting any smallmouth.
Crappie/Bluegill/Perch–The crappie bite has slowed down from the past couple of weeks, and although anglers are still catching them, it seems like they are more in pockets of a few fish here and there. Minnows are still the best choice and anglers should find crappie anywhere from 6-10 FOW and around weeds/timber. Gills should be or maybe have spawned since water temps did get so warm, and they should be up shallow in anywhere from 2-6 FOW. Crawlers or leaf worms under a float on a jig or bare hook are tough to beat to catch loads of gills throughout the summer months. I found some perch early last week schooled up in 12 FOW off of a piece of structure. They were hitting crawlers on a jighead, but I’m guessing minnows and leeches would have worked as well.
That is all I have for this week’s report. Just another great weekend up here in God’s country. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg