What an awesome last week of fishing it has been! The wind, rain, and hex hatch, all factors working against walleye anglers recently, have not hindered the bite in my boat, yet.
Walleye
The shallow water bite has been on fire lately! Plenty of slot fish as well as eaters being boated each trip. We have had great outings on both the far west and east ends of the lake. Mayfly larvae has been cluttering the graph and the past few days have seen the first significant hatches on certain areas of the lake. The fish have been fat and staunchy lately so I expect the bite to progressively get a little tougher. Anglers must really take advantage of feeding windows and do their homework during high light hours to ensure successful outings. Shallow rock of 5-13ft has been producing best in my boat. I’m seeing more fish on your secondary structure, however a good wind will certainly change this. Slip bobber fishing has by far been the ticket in my boat lately, however fish can also be caught casting jig and crawler/leech combos. If the fish are not on the rocks they will be nearby in adjacent sand; if this is the case I like to rig live bait. A big key is finding MUD. Every single area I fish now has a large mud flat adjacent to it. Your Humminbird’s Side-Imaging can really help narrow your search and confirm bottom structure quickly and effortlessly.
Musky
Fish are moving, fish are eating. Casting your deeper weed edges in lowlight periods has been best. Smaller blades have been catching fish; Bigtooth Tackle Company Sound Science Tremor’s have put fish in the bag this week. With water temps in the upper 60s, as soon as I see that 70 degree mark I will start to toss topwater. Fish are also starting to show up on your secondary structure as well. Open water action should also start to heat in the next week.
Smallmouth
Action has been good lately. I have seen both prespawn and spawned out females. Most fish will be exclusively on your primary structure as well as your larger islands. Most fish are hanging out in that 2-6ft range with your occasional big fish in transition in 6-14ft. Sand and smaller rock have seen most fish. Swimbaits have still been catching the most fish, with the ability to fish both fast and slow. Searchbaits seem to put more fish in the boat at this time of year.
Northern Pike
Pike action has been good as of late. Vegetation on the west end of the lake is beginning to come in thick, so finding deeper cabbage and casting chartreuse mepps or swimbaits along these edges will produce best. Trolling F11 Rapalas will also catch your toothy critters.
BOOK TODAY – I have a few openings into next week, otherwise the schedule is filling up fast!
Jarek Wujkowski
Rodsbent Guide Service
info@rodsbent.com
(715)-892-7048
