The east winds and cool nights earlier on in the week really kickstarted mayfly hatches. Despite this, walleye anglers keying in on the right times, and basins of the lake have been seeing good results. Musky anglers have also been seeing more numbers in the last week of fishing. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 70s. Things are heating up on the big V, get up while you can!

Walleye

Plenty of your smaller, bug-fed fish need to be knocked on top of the head with the minimalist live bait presentations. However, I have been finding good concentrations of eater-sized fish. When you graph them, stay on top of them and work them. I haven’t seen these fish moving much once your on top of them. Half crawlers and leeches on lindy rigs or bobbers have caught fish. Your larger walleye will be a bit more responsive to aggressive fishing styles. Bigger fish feeding on perch fry and molting crayfish can be found on sand adjacent to large rocks/boulders.

musky

The best bite has been in your lakes open water basins however we have boated fish on rock structure as well. The influx of larvae rising to the surface has pushed tullibee and whitefish high into the water column and the muskies are not far behind! Trolling large crankbaits or casting jerkbaits/rubber can each be as effective.. Keep in mind with water temps rising that it’s extremely important to do CPR (catch photo release) in a timely manner!

pike

Not much has changed in this department. Key in on cabbage edges with jig/minnow combos as well as casting spinnerbaits and stickbaits. Slow trolling these edges and open water will put some larger fish in the bag as well.

bass

Larger Smallies are now being found in water of 10-18ft. I like to key in on fingers and points that have some really large isolated boulders. 3” Gizit tubes or crawfish type plastics are a staple now.
Jarek Wujkowski
Rodsbent Guide Service
info@rodsbent.com
(715)-892-7048