Wow, where has our summer gone? Next week we will be entering September…. And with that hunting season is right around the corner. In addition to hunting our fall fishing is going to start to kick into high gear!
Water temperatures have drastically dropped over the past week with readings in the central Wisconsin area anywhere from the upper 60’s to low 70’s. Work on areas dams has had the water levels fluctuating quite erratically making for constantly changing fishing conditions. Water levels, and flow rates are a major component when it comes to fish location and any disruption can cause mass migration to new areas.
With that said we have had a pretty good week of fishing. The walleye bite continues to be very good with some nice catches on the river system. Water levels and flow rates have made it interesting but not impossible for us to catch fish. It has done two things for us on opposite sides of the dam. On the side of the dam where we have a heavy water flow and higher water levels the fish are pushed closer to shore and are holding tighter together in shallower water. On the opposite side of the dam where the water is low we are finding our fish scattered throughout the system but we are also finding small pockets of fish holding in deeper water.
For you crappie guys the bite has been very good and it will only continue to get better as the water temperatures continue to cool down. The crappies we have been getting have been suspending in 12 to 16 feet of water close to the bottom. Most of our action has been by keeping our bait suspended 2 to 4 feet off the bottom by running slip bobber’s baited up with tiny minnows or plastics.
The musky bite has been very good with the best action during low light periods. Bucktails still remain the number one bait but jerkbaits and topwater are both producing a few fish. Scott Lewandowski and I had the privilege to fish against some excellent musky angler’s last weekend at the Steve Schneider Memorial Musky Tournament on the Phillips Chain. Our hats are off to each and every one of the anglers for sticking it out in very adverse conditions. But with a little luck and a couple of good Hook-sets Scott and I were able to hook into and land 2 very nice Muskies (43 1/4 & 42 1/2) to bring home the win!!!! A big thank you to everyone involved and also to our sponsors. Jerry Clinton and the guys at Amherst Marine, Elk River Rods, Lake X Lures, Musky Innovations, Suick Lures, Humminbird, Minn-Kota, and everyone else. Thank you all for your continued support.
Wrapping things up we are only about a week and a half away from the 2016 Wisconsin bear season opener and the season will be upon us. There are a lot of blackberries in the woods and farmers crops are ripening as we speak which could make for a very interesting season. Despite the outside factors, our baits are still getting hit and we have some good bears coming in. Let’s hope they continue the course.
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Phone: 715-693-5843
