Fishing report May 9, 2023

Walleye:
Walleye fishing was good during opening weekend according to most reports. Activity varies from lake to lake and fish could be still spawning, finished spawning, or calling it a season and dispersing. Some fish will hold shallow, but daytime fishing might be best in mid-depths, inside of 10 feet, to deeper water. Nighttime action will remain best in shallow to very shallow locations. Look for fish on weedlines, sand flats, and rock points and shorelines. Multiple types of offerings are working, including walleye suckers, jigs and minnows, and other live bait, jerkbaits, crankbaits, stickbaits, and minnowbaits. Take an assortment!

Northern Pike:
Northern pike are on the move and fishing is good on most waters. Look for them from mid-depths to shallow, in bays, on weeds and weedlines, and as always wherever you find concentrations of panfish and baitfish. Northern and walleye suckers on jigs and live bait rigs, spinners, spoons, jerkbaits, and stickbaits can get their interest.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth bass are moving from their winter holding areas to shallower weeds, weedlines, and weed flats, but this movement can at times be a slow process. Various types of live bait, spinners, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and plastics are all good choices, depending on the conditions.

Smallmouth Bass:
Smallmouth bass fishing in the Northern Bass Zone is open for catch-and-release only until June 17. As with largemouth, smallmouth are moving from deep wintering areas, but homing in on rock points and gravel flats. Do not overlook in-between areas. Sucker minnows, jerkbaits, spinners, spinnerbaits, and plastics can all be effective at this time.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is fair as anglers (and crappies!) look forward to the spawning season. General reports indicate the fish are somewhat scattered and difficult to locate. Look for mid-depth weed flats and other weeds. Activity will increase as the water warms in coming days. Best baits include crappie minnows, fatheads, and plastics on jigs or slip bobbers.

Bluegill:
Bluegill anglers have apparently not yet taken to the water or, if so, are not offering any reports (hmm... maybe having very good success and perhaps keeping it a secret?) Look for bluegill action to get hot in a few weeks when the fish move shallow for spawning.