Fishing report Jan 17, 2022

FISHING REPORT by Steve Suman

Fishing remains good for most species, with most in deep water. Hit the early morning and late afternoon into dark bite windows. Visit with your favorite bait shop personnel to learn the most current and productive baits, presentations, and fish locations.

Walleye:
Walleye action is fair to good. During the day, target drop-offs, deep flats, weed flats in 10-15 feet, and basin transition areas in 25-30 feet. Concentrate on shallow flats during low light peak bite windows. Walleye suckers and shiner under tip-ups work well, and Jigging Raps, jigging spoons will catch fish with the “correct presentation” that day.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike action is good to very good, with fish in varied depths. On shallow and/or dark lakes, look for weeds and structure in 5-10 feet. In deep, clear water, work weed edges and drop-offs in 15-20 feet. Panfish and baitfish concentration also hold fish. Use large sucker minnows and shiners on tip-ups.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good to very good, particularly in deep basins in 20-30 feet. Look for rocks, humps, transition areas, and suspending fish. Try crappie minnows on slip bobbers, Jigging Raps, jigging spoons, and jigs tipped with waxies, spikes, and plastics. If fish are fussy, downsize and change presentation methods.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is fair to good. Fish are in green weeds in 5-20 feet, shallow weed pockets, or feeding on the bottom of deep basins. Waxies, spikes, bloodworms, and plastics on small jigs and spoons work well. As with crappie, downsize for fuzzy fish.

Perch:
Perch fishing is fair to good. Look for green weeds in 7-15 feet, or work soft basin bottoms where fish are feeding on small, assorted food offerings. Small jigs with minnow heads, waxies, spikes, bloodworms, and plastics are all working.