Fish are delicious, there’s just no way around it! Most of us love frying up a few fish every now and then, but it’s important to practice “selective harvest” if we want to sustain our fisheries over the long haul. That’s the topic we’re covering with our guest host Mike Hehner on episode #3 of AnglingBuzz TV.

Whether it’s a long weekend or a week-long loaded with family fun, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Alexandria. Unleash your inner explorer with over 300 lakes, beaches, parks, hundreds of miles of trails, dining, golf, shopping, museums, and history. Alexandria, Minnesota’s hidden gem. Explore Alex to find your vacation this season.

Having spent a lifetime fishing all over North America, I know a lot about water, wind, and waves. Water can be an inviting place, and yet at the same time, it can also be very unforgiving. With a simple push of a button, the slowly adjustable Smooth Moves air suspension is designed to tame the waves and give you a smooth and comfortable ride no matter what conditions you face. Contain the water, wind, and waves with Smooth Moves.

Fishing Reports

North Central Wisconsin In this article, we will be discussing the fishing reports from various locations in North Central Wisconsin. We will cover the current fishing conditions, the best techniques and baits to use, and the species that are currently biting. So, let’s dive in!

Wisconsin River Walleyes

The walleye spawn has come to a conclusion in the Wisconsin River, and the fish have moved off the shallow gravel to adjacent break lines. This is a great time to target walleyes as they look to recover from the spawning period. Some effective baits to use include riff and wrap, jig and plastic combinations, and crankbaits. Make sure to pay attention to water temperatures and fish during low light periods for the best results.

Northern Lakes Pre-Spawn

The northern lakes in Wisconsin are currently in the pre-spawn stage. This means that the fish are getting ready to spawn and can be found in shallow areas. This is a great opportunity to catch a variety of species, including walleyes. Jigging with minnows or plastic baits, as well as using crankbaits and rip and wraps, are all effective techniques during this time.

Crappies in Deep Water

Crappies are currently schooled up in deep water in Wisconsin. They can be found using slip bobbers and live bait combinations or tricks of plastic. Targeting deep water areas with structure, such as downed trees, can increase your chances of success.

Duluth Superior Area Fishing

In the Duluth Superior Area, anglers are enjoying the opener to the season. They are targeting crappies by looking for downed trees using side-scan sonar to their advantage. Live bait, such as worms or minnows, as well as jigs, are working well in this area. Anglers are also long-lining for salmon from the North Shore using stick baits behind planer boards.

Steelhead and Shallow Bays

Anglers in the Minnesota area are still catching some good steelhead in the rivers. They are using indicators and nymphs to target these fish. In addition, anglers are having success in the shallow bays of inland lakes and reservoirs. Worm chunks under floats, as well as small beetle spins, are proving to be effective baits for catching walleyes in these areas.

Lake Vermilion Walleyes

On Lake Vermilion, anglers are catching walleyes using a variety of techniques. Billy Rosner recommends using moon eye jigs tipped with rainbow or sucker minnows. Fishing these jigs shallow or deep can yield good results. Rigs with a 42 to 48-inch leader and a white gap number four VMC hook are also effective. Plastics, such as 360s, are another option to consider.

Leech Lake Alternatives to Live Bait

Jeff Anderson suggests using alternative baits to live bait on Leech Lake. He recommends using a clam PG jig with a plastic bait. The longer shank and smaller jig head of this jig allow for a faster fall rate, which is important when fishing with plastics. It’s also important to fish plastics more aggressively than live bait to prevent them from falling off the hook. Jeff suggests upsizing the jig and increasing the jig stroke to create a reaction bite.

Alexandria Shallow Water Bite

Joe Sagir advises anglers to fish shallow water in the Alexandria region. After dark, fishing in 3 to 5 feet of water can yield good results. Casting from shore with minnow-style crankbaits, such as jointed or X-rap, can entice big fish to bite. During the day, targeting 10 to 15 feet of water with a jig and minnow or Lindy rig can be productive. Slowly moving through these areas and marking fish can lead to success.

Cool Products

In this segment, we highlight some cool products that can enhance your fishing experience. Fleet Farm brings us a selection of products that are worth checking out:

• Rapala 60-inch retractable ruler: This ruler is easy to see and compact, making it convenient for measuring fish.
• Bubble Blade electric fillet knife: This knife comes with four different size blades and a non-slip grip handle, making it perfect for filleting your catch.
• Dial Rev Roast LT reel: This spinning reel is lightweight and versatile, making it suitable for various fishing situations.
• Blackfish Cool Core Guide Hoody: This hoody is comfortable and provides protection from the sun, making it ideal for hot weather fishing.
• Northland Tackle spoons: These spoons are effective for casting or trolling and come with high-quality treble hooks.
• Storm 360 GT search bait: This bait is easy to use and has a side-to-side action that triggers fish to bite.
• Seafoam Marine Pro: This product helps marine engines run smoother and last longer.

All of these products are available online at Fleet Farm and in-store.

Technique of the Week: Bluegill Sliders

Bluegill sliders are a delicious recipe that makes use of smaller panfish fillets. To make bluegill sliders, you will need:

1. Panfish fillets
2. Salad greens
3. Mini sandwich buns
4. Tartar sauce (made from mayo, sour cream, pickle relish, minced garlic and shallots, and lemon zest)
5. Breading (made from flour, breadcrumbs, panko, paprika, salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder)
6. High heat cooking oil

To prepare the bluegill sliders, follow these steps:

1. Bread the fillets in the breading mixture.
2. Fry the breaded fillets in a light amount of high heat cooking oil for a few minutes on each side.
3. Stack the fried fillets, salad greens, and tartar sauce on the mini sandwich buns.
4. Enjoy your delicious bluegill sliders!

Bluegill sliders are a great way to enjoy the tasty and delicate bluegill fish. Remember to practice selective harvest and only keep bluegills that are 9 inches or less in order to preserve this valuable resource.