It has been another great week in Central Wisconsin for outdoor activities. The crappie bite is still going strong and we are also seeing some nice walleyes being caught. Northern pike have been aggressively chasing baits and the bass bite has picked up. Turkey hunters are finishing up their season, and if you haven’t thought about it, now is a great time to get out and start preparing for the fall deer season.
 

Crappies

 
Crappie hunters have been having a great week chasing spawning fish. Right now a lot of crappies are up in shallow water less than 6 feet of water holding around downed timber like brush, and fallen trees. You will also find them holding in any weeds like cattails, reeds, coontail etc… Small jigs tipped minnows or with plastics like Mini Mites will work on these fish when suspended below a tiny bobber.
 

Walleyes

 
The walleye bite has now shifted from a shallow spawning bite to a post spawn bite. These are fish have done their thing and are now moving towards traditional summer haunts. Typical post spawn location on river systems are shallow backwater areas with less than 5 feet of water and deeper inside turns on the main river channel with at least 8 feet of water. On lakes look for wind-blown shorelines along with fingers and points than jut out into the main lake. Try throwing crankbait style lures like Rapalas and Shad Raps along with jigs tipped with plastics or fathead minnows.
 

Northern Pike

 
If you are interested in some aggressive fishing the northern pike bite has been very good. Shallow weedy bays have been our best producer this past week and we have had consistent action by throwing spinner-baits in chartreuse and white.
 

Bass

 
For you bass guys now that the bass are nearing their spawning time you can find them holding on rocky shorelines, near downed timber and/or holding on beds. Just about any lure in your box will work at this time of the year but my go-to bait is going to be a jig and pig. This is a very versatile bait that can be worked everywhere and anywhere, and it has a great hooking percentage. But in case you’re not a jig guy or gal crankbait and top-water baits will work very well too.
 

Turkey

 
Turkey hunting is coming to a close and it has been another great spring season. With that said it has also given us hunters a great opportunity to see what is going on in the woods and to prepare for the upcoming fall deer hunt. Now is a great time to lay the groundwork for your deer stand locations for the upcoming season. With the foliage and canopy down this is the time of the year to cut shooting lanes, fix/set deer stands and brush in trails. In addition to getting these things done now, you will not be disturbing the woods come deer season and having the possibility of blowing a big buck out of your area later on.
 

Have a great week,
 

Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Phone: 715-693-5843