Cooler temperatures this week have led to water temperatures dropping to the mid 60 degree range which has in turn increased fishing activity. Bear hunters are also finding the cooler temperatures more seasonable and welcoming when heading out to the woods. The 2016 Wisconsin Archery season also begins this weekend with many archers taking to the woods in search of bagging a giant!
 

For you bear hunters that are hunting over baits don’t be discouraged if you haven’t tagged your bear yet. Season has just started and there is a long way to go. A few keys to continued success are to keep you bait fresh and active, and visit the bait sites only as necessary. Try to bait only when you enter the woods for hunting which will help eliminate excess human odors in the woods. Also if you bait sites stop getting hit or go dry there is still plenty of time to start new ones in different locations. On numerous occasions we have started bait sites well after the season has started and been successful hunting them.
 

Musky fishing was very good this past week with plenty of action on top water baits and bucktails. We even had good action on Bulldawgs fishing break lines. A lot of the activity this past week revolved around the moon phase that we are now entering. It was very apparent that when hitting the water we were definitely seeing feeding windows and noticing how they related to moon rise and moon fall.
 

Action for walleyes was unbelievable this past week. Most of the time we were into doubles and triples while catching as many as 50 to 100 fish per outing sometimes more. The most consistent action was by tossing a jig and minnow combination into shoreline breaks in 3 to 8 feet of water. Early morning and late afternoon/evening were definitely the best periods of the day to be out but these fish bit all day long.
 

For you pan fishermen and women the crappie and bluegill bite is really starting to heat up and it is only going to get better as the water temperatures cool down. A lot of the panfish are now starting to move towards their fall “warming locations” which are downed timber and submerged structure in 4 to 8 feet of water. Panfish will search out these structures in the early to late fall as shelters to keep them safe from prey and at the same time these areas absorb heat from the days sun allowing the resident fish warmth and comfort as the exterior waters cool.
 

Have a great week,
 

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