Great Week of Fishing

Hi Folks. Beautiful weather and good fishing sums up the first week of the ’09 fishing season. Weather-wise this has been one of the BEST weeks in quite some time. Most days in the high 60’s to 70 degree range, light winds, just made it outstanding to be on the water. The fishing has been EXCELLENT! Many nice walleyes are being caught on our area waters. The weed bite has begun on most of the area waters. The upcoming week should really show us some nice fish. The post-spawn feed for many of these larger female walleyes will be taking place and that’s the last you’ll see of some of these fish with any consistency. If you’re heading out this weekend, concentrate your efforts on the new submergent weed growth. It doesn’t take much to attract fish. Jig-and-minnow combinations should work well as well as slip bobbers and crank baits. I’ve also begun to hear some reports of leech activity taking place. If this weather continues, look for leeches to pick up dramatically. One thing you need to be aware of – is you do not have to fish very deep. Water depths from 4 to 10 feet on most lakes is more than ample. Even on the deeper, clear water lakes we’ve been finding fish most days in anywhere from 10 to 14 feet – even with bright sun. Keep your retrieves on the slow side and work your areas thoroughly. If you’re hitting a lake that doesn’t have much weed but has timber – work the timber; on rock-oriented lakes pick out bars in the water depths I previously mentioned.

NORTHERN PIKE have been doing OK. These fish should get better as weed growth increases. Jig-and-minnow combinations worked slowly will work the best when targeting northerns. Minnow lures would be my 2nd choice. Cold water temps and low weed growth makes these fish a little sluggish to chase spoons and spinner baits.

Again, if the weather holds, look for the CRAPPIES to begin to move in rapidly this week. When choosing a crappie lakes, look to the smaller, darker waters first. Keep your tackle light and a wide variety of bait and lures should work just fine. Everything from minnows to tube jigs will be good. The peak should take place as we lead up to Memorial Day weekend on many of the other waters.

That’s it for now. See you on the water. Jeff Winters