The best bass bite has been in the afternoon but fish can be caught throughout the whole day. Both small mouth and large mouth bass have begun moving up shallow and are really aggressive.
The best baits for the bass have been swimbaits, jig and plastics, and jerk baits.
Look for the small mouth to be moving to rock piles and shallow flats where they will eventually spawn. Rapala X-raps have been the best bait for targeting the small mouth bass. Jigs and Ned rigs will also work to catch these fish.
The crappies and bluegills have moved shallow and can be caught in shallow water bays near wood or new weed growth. The best baits have been small jigs with either a crappie minnow or a plastic tube under a bobber. The key depths have been between three and seven feet depending on the lake.
The pike and walleye bite in Northwest Wisconsin has been decent this spring. The fish are being found on that first weed line break which is generally in eight to thirteen feet of water. A few walleyes can be found on the rock and sound as well but be mindful of water temperatures. These fish will be searching for the warmest water that they can find.
These walleye and northern pike can be caught in a number of ways including jig and plastics, live bait rigs, and crank baits. They all have been working well.
Good luck out there and make sure you get out and get hooked up.
Caleb Wistad – Hookedupwi
715-338-0545