August has been off to a fair start as far as the walleye fishing goes in the Bemidji Area. I’m still having luck trolling crankbaits in shallow water, 7-10 ft. being best for eater walleyes. My best transitions have been weed edges and sand flats. Covering a lot of water this time of year, by trolling 1.5-2.0 mph, is the best way I have found to put more fish in the boat. I have also found that pulling crawlers on a lindy rig can produce some fish on the weed edges.
Slowing down and cutting in and out of the weed edge has put less fish in the boat, but much better quality. The way I’m doing this is still with a plain live bait rig, which you can always find tied on in my boat. A 6-7ft snell with a plain red hook and a 1/8 ounce sinker has is a great combo to target these fish on the weed edges. There’s also a good number of fish coming out of deeper water on the break lines and mid-lake humps.
Using your electronics to find them and then pulling a spinner and a bottom bouncer has been effective in deeper water but moving faster at 2.0 mph or more. The best way to target walleyes is a reaction bite right now. Some fish you go over bite and others will not. Just keep on covering water and you will come across a hungry school.
Good Luck and Tight Lines
Matt Newell
Newell’s Bemidji Area Guide Service
Team Yukon Outdoors
