Outdoor Report July 10, 2012

FISHING REPORT
Muskies:
Muskie action is good, though as with other species the best times are early morning and late evening until after dark. Work shallow weed edges, humps, drop-offs, bars, points, and main lake structure with bucktails, plastics, tubes, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters.

Walleye:
Somewhat surprisingly, there is a fairly decent and consistent walleye bite, primarily during early morning and evening until after dark. Concentrate on weed/cabbage edges, gravel humps, brush, bogs, and river channels out to more than 30 feet, but do not overlook shallower water. Leeches and crawlers under slip bobbers and on jigs and Lindy Rigs are best, but anglers are also catching fish on stickbaits, crankbaits, Beetle Spins, and Twister Tails.

Northern:
Northern pike action can be fair to very good, depending on the day and water. You can catch pike near weeds at various depths, from shallow to deep, on spinners and spinnerbaits, spoons, stickbaits, plastics, and northern suckers.

Largemouth Bass:
Largemouth action is on and off, but anglers are catching fish. Work weed lines, wood, brush, and stumps – deep, shallow, and all depths between – as well as shallower water shoreline vegetation, lily pads, slop, docks, and rice beds. Top baits include plastics, worms (wacky, Senko), swim jigs, spinner, buzz, and crank baits, topwaters, weedless plastics (i.e., frogs), and live bait such as leeches and crawlers.

Smallmouth Bass:
Nearly all reports indicate smallmouth action is inconsistent, with the bass uncooperative and “selective” about the offerings they will hit. Fish for them on deep and mid-depth rock, cribs, gravel, weeds, wood, and other structure with spinner and crank baits, Beetle Spins, Twister Tails, plastics, topwaters, tubes, worms, and leeches.

Crappie:
Crappies are scattered and suspending at various depths, but offer good action when you locate them. Look for crappies suspending over deeper water, on weed edges, near cribs, and on stumps, brush, and bogs. Bait choices include crappie minnows, waxies, worms, plastics (Mini-Mites, Tattle Tails), and Gulp! baits. Tip them on small jigs or plain hooks, with or without bobbers.

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing continues to be good on most lakes. Look for fish around weeds, cribs, brush, and stumps in 12-20 feet and even deeper water (larger ‘gills are in deeper water). Baits of choice include waxies, worms, leaf worms, crawler chunks, minnows, plastics (Tattle Tails, Mini-Mites), and Gulp! baits on small jigs with/without bobbers, and small pre-rigged rubber worms, topwaters, and poppers.