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We have warmed up nicely this last week and the rain let up. We are “enjoying” a bumper crop of mosquitoes now along with the pleasant temperatures, so if you’re headed out to the lake or river, bring the Deet or better yet, grab a Thermacell to put on the boat with you; you’ll be glad you did!
The walleyes are continuing to act a little different than we might be used to. Reports from our guests and guides are they are finding them in anywhere from 5 ft to 15 feet of water. The fish are hanging on normal walleye structure with early morning, evening and night bites producing the most consistent strikes. For live bait, night crawlers are not on the menu as of late. The leech bite is really heating up and anglers are having great success with leech tipped jigs of ¼ - 3/8th oz in whites, blues, and pink color combinations. If you’re using minnows, size matters. Walleye this year are preferring bigger presentations, think lite pike size minnows on a jig or under a slip bobber. Slow trolled, shallow diving Berkley Flicker Shads or Rapala’s is a great way to cover a lot of water and pinpoint where they are hanging out; once you find them, transition to a jigging presentation.
Spawn is in full swing for both large and small mouth bass. They continue to stay shallow, protecting their beds. Live Target Crawfish will be very effective, as will most anything you pull through their bedding area. Because they are protecting their beds, almost anything you invade the nesting area with will trigger a strike.
Northern pike do not change their patterns much. They are still hunting the shallows, cruising the edge of weed beds. Try a large sucker minnow under a bobber in a quiet shallow bay or edge of a river mouth. For faster action, cast large, flashy spoons in Fire Tiger, gold or silver.
Panfish, including crappies, are not quite in spawn yet are still sitting at about 10-12 feet in heavy weed beds. Leeches, Crappie minnows or Beetle Spins and Thumper Jigs are your best bet.
The warmer water has pushed the lake trout deeper, 40 to 60 feet of water. Use large tube jigs tipped with a frozen smelt or dead sucker minnow, a large Dr. Spoon in copper or gold are another great jigging options.
