Andy Myers Lodge Fishing Report - July
Water surface temps averaging 69-72 and with current average air temperatures and forecasts it should remain stable in that range for a while. While the season could have been characterized as a bit behind an average year everything is quickly catching up. Weed growth is as good as I’ve seen it in recent years especially with the normal bit high water levels. However,regardless of lake section it has been ahead on west/northern shores and a bit behind on the east/southern shorelines/bays. Now that water temps are averaging near 70’s, all are quickly growing daily and filling in.
The mayfly hatch is/has wound down and patterns for all species are starting to stabilize into predictable and regular summertime locations. While the hatch is winding down pods of suspended larva are still evident at 10-18’ here and there so there could still be some bug feeding going on. During the hatch while there was a good weed/flats bite going on pulling spinners and crawlers, long lining flicker shads and shad raps, and jigging the biggest concentrations and best catches occurred at 25-32’ on rock/mudlines and small isolated hard bottom areas surrounded by mud bottom in main basins. Jigging, lindy rigging minnows and leeches, and slow death rigs/crawlers produced best and will continue when you find walleyes feeding on wigglers. In most areas and near where the deeper catches were occurring now that the hatch is winding down and a switch to minnow and crustacean forage is occurring the bite is moving shallower up onto the rock bars and humps at 16-25’. Almost all the humps in the VB, portage, and central sections are now holding fish and the numbers will just increase and build up on a daily basis now.
AVERAGE SIZE IS ALSO INCREASING
During the hatch the catch comprised mostly of 16-22” with an occasional over slot fish though we did have a fish go 33.5” and 13.5# and several others caught over 30” and 10#’s. Now still many eater fish below slot but a lot of fish 22-28” are being caught regularly in the mix now and more fish pushing and over 30”. Jigging and rigging with minnows has been best but crawlers and jumbo leeches are producing sometimes even better in isolated spots/circumstances so it’s a good idea to have an assortment of bait right now. With the slightly below average water temps extending into July lots of nice pike 32-40” have been caught by those casting reed edges with cabbage, weedy bays, and shallow rocks with mepps, husky jerks, spinnerbaits, and spoons as well as incidentally by both walleye fishermen fishing deeper with bigger minnows and musky fishermen casting shallower so they are roaming anywhere there is food right now. Musky activity has been very good though till recently patterns have been helter skelter from both shallow and deep with the walleyes, suspended near structure during cold fronts and dropping water temps to warming sand beaches after, shallow wind swept rocks, and the best /thickest weed patches and weed / rock combos. Though it has been fun playing with the many diff patterns and options
It has been getting increasingly more predictable as far as location as water temperatures rise, recouping from spawning completed, and the waning mayfly hatch finally over. Both weeds and rocks and especially smaller combos of the two have been good. Blades especially 7’s, 8’s and some 9’s been go to, top waters picking up last few days with several over 50 and high 40’s boated, and cranks and rubber on tougher days off the rocks and deeper breaks. Trolling cranks after cold fronts and dropping water temps was effective with several fish over 50” but with the rising and steadier water temperatures, a lot of the suspended and deeper holding fish coming into shallower structure with the waning mayfly hatch that option is slowing down. Weed fish been very active but some big fish showing off shallow rocks now.
All sections of the lake showing active fish with the western and portage bay trout water sections dragging behind just a bit. All-in-all it looks like the musky bite which has already been pretty good is itch’n and ready to explode.
If you are considering or getting the itch to get a trip in this season or planning for the next get ahold of AML at info@andymyerslodge.com , 1-888-727-5765 for more information, availability, and pricing for an action packed getaway.
AVAILABLITY AS OF 7/10 ( if looking for dates between 7/10 and 8/27 though we are full occupancy please check as occasionally on opening will become available with a cancellation)
Aug 27-sept 3 1 cabin 2-8 guests
Sept 3-10 2 cabins 2- 6 guests
Sept 10-17 1 cabin 2-8 guests
Sept 17-24, 24- oct 1 3 cabins ea. week 2-8 guests
Oct 1-8, and oct 8-15 musky hunts – full (but if only dates that will work, give us a call and we’ll see if we can fit you in)
Oct 15-22 musky hunt – 3 cabins 1-8 guests NOTE; RECOMMENDATION …THIS IS A PRIME TIME PLAYER DATE!!!!
Oct 22-29 4 cabins 1-6 guests
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Steve Herbeck
AML prop emeritus, guest fishing instruction program coordinator, master guide (for personal info and updates regarding the fishing,how to prepare,hot tips,etc. prior to your trip feel free to contact steve directly at herbeck.stevej@yahoo.com or info@andymyerslodge.com att ; herbie)
