Weekly Fishing Report: July 7-14, 2012
Weather was super hot, very little wind. Finally some clouds with a couple storm systems on Friday.
Walleyes were snapping pretty good through the heat wave. There were some periods with slow action in the afternoon but genrally speaking, the morning and evening bits were good. Deeper reefs were the ticket. most reportthe the best fishing in 15 foot and deeper though one group caught nice fish as shallow as 10 and marked fish as deep as 22 feet. Spinners with bottom bouncers or jigs where the best, though casting and trolling cranks was very productive this week as well.
Muskies were a bit sluggish in the heat, but turned on with the storms on Friday. Several boats landing multiple fish up to 48 inches and seeing some nice ones. Bucktails were the main tool of choice, but big fish chased WTD topwaters throughout the week as well. Rocks were far and away the better structure, whether it be mid-lake, shoreline, or points. Very few fish in the weeds throughout the week accoring to those on the water, but there was a couple caught in weedy structure as well.
Smallies and northerns were active this week. Bass on shorelines with rubble and rocks were pretty common. Somne nice northerns off the breaklines of rock structure as well.
We are moving through prime-time on Lake of the Woods and the fishing can and will get even better. Mostly walleye anglers this week, but more muskie nuts on the way the following week.
Water temps in the mid to upper 70s. Please use extreeme caution with time out of the water while handling fish of any species and size. More than one dead walleye and muskie was seen floating belly up in this heat. They were very nice fish. The bigger fish are more susceptable to delayed mortality with impromper handling techniques and more time out of the water for photos. Do your part to limit this as much as possible.
Thank you and good luck on the water this week.
