Walleye and Smallmouth Bass Excellent, Muskie Improving
Walleye fishing remains superb for both bottom bouncers and jig anglers. Yesterday two boats took over 100 fish each - one bottom bouncing, the other jigging. There is a wide depth range - varying
from 20 to 32 feet although larger fish are being found on the deepest range. Water temps remain very warm - averaging 77 to 78 degrees F. Additionally, one group experimented with jigging
spoons with good success. As expected, morning and evening fishing is resulting in the best catches. With the pattern of warm, stable weather predicted into the future expect this pattern to continue.
Jig colors have found preferences for gold, pink and orange and although plastics - including Gulp worms and minnows - are working, nightcrawlers and leeches are the most dependable. Also, plastic
worms by Berkley and Zoom are taking fish when rigged on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz. jig.
Muskie fishing is beginning to improve with two 50-inch fish caught in the last week and a good number of 40-inch and larger muskie posted on the Bragging Board. Weather conditions - as always -
play a huge role in making fish active. Ideal periods are those with cloud cover and a decent breeze that creates a chop. Bucktails are taking the lead with Cowgirls, A-1s, and Esox Edges top choices. Additionally, topwaters are effective in the evenings with Top Raider styles taking the edge over Jackpot types. Jerkbaits in the Suick tradition have taken a number of 40-inch class fish and weighted styles are very popular. One of the 50 inchers came on a custom Crane, the other a double bucktail.
Location remains an intriguing proposition as rocks, rock-weed combinations and weedlines have all yielded fish. Of the three, rocks are clearly the top structure location and evenings are the best hours. And at these water temps quick and efficient handling of fish is necessary to guarantee a successful release.
Smallmouth bass are the surprise. Instead of fish slipping off into depths of 18 to 35 feet they have remained shallow and aggressive. Fish are being taken on many of the classic basin structures, but good numbers are still occupying shorelines. A wide variety of presentations are successful - jig and live bait, jig and plastic, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Additionally, in-line spinners cast on shoreline rocks and tapering submerged points are effective. Large numbers of fish are being encountered with adult sizes ranging from 14 to 16 inches. Trophy fish have moved deeper and are being
taken on deep humps by anglers vertical jigging for walleye.
Large northerns are rarely being encountered which is due to warm water temps. Small fish are still holding on weedlines and will hit in-line spinners and spinnerbaits. Larger fish will start to move
shallower when water temps drop back into the 60's.
Russ Warye
Russ
Thanks for the excellent informative report Russ
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Russ Warye
Walleye fishing remains superb for both bottom bouncers and jig anglers. Yesterday two boats took over 100 fish each - one bottom bouncing, the other jigging. There is a wide depth range - varying
from 20 to 32 feet although larger fish are being found on the deepest range. Water temps remain very warm - averaging 77 to 78 degrees F. Additionally, one group experimented with jigging
spoons with good success. As expected, morning and evening fishing is resulting in the best catches. With the pattern of warm, stable weather predicted into the future expect this pattern to continue.
Jig colors have found preferences for gold, pink and orange and although plastics - including Gulp worms and minnows - are working, nightcrawlers and leeches are the most dependable. Also, plastic
worms by Berkley and Zoom are taking fish when rigged on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz. jig.
Muskie fishing is beginning to improve with two 50-inch fish caught in the last week and a good number of 40-inch and larger muskie posted on the Bragging Board. Weather conditions - as always -
play a huge role in making fish active. Ideal periods are those with cloud cover and a decent breeze that creates a chop. Bucktails are taking the lead with Cowgirls, A-1s, and Esox Edges top choices. Additionally, topwaters are effective in the evenings with Top Raider styles taking the edge over Jackpot types. Jerkbaits in the Suick tradition have taken a number of 40-inch class fish and weighted styles are very popular. One of the 50 inchers came on a custom Crane, the other a double bucktail.
Location remains an intriguing proposition as rocks, rock-weed combinations and weedlines have all yielded fish. Of the three, rocks are clearly the top structure location and evenings are the best hours. And at these water temps quick and efficient handling of fish is necessary to guarantee a successful release.
Smallmouth bass are the surprise. Instead of fish slipping off into depths of 18 to 35 feet they have remained shallow and aggressive. Fish are being taken on many of the classic basin structures, but good numbers are still occupying shorelines. A wide variety of presentations are successful - jig and live bait, jig and plastic, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jerkbaits. Additionally, in-line spinners cast on shoreline rocks and tapering submerged points are effective. Large numbers of fish are being encountered with adult sizes ranging from 14 to 16 inches. Trophy fish have moved deeper and are being
taken on deep humps by anglers vertical jigging for walleye.
Large northerns are rarely being encountered which is due to warm water temps. Small fish are still holding on weedlines and will hit in-line spinners and spinnerbaits. Larger fish will start to move
shallower when water temps drop back into the 60's.
Russ Warye
Russ
I will try to reach you by phone for an update before we arrive
Bob
