Fishing & Hunting

We're finally seeing a bit of a break from that stubborn summer heat, with highs settling into the mid to upper 70's and overnight lows dropping into the 50's - a welcome change for both anglers and fish. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms, some with gusty winds, will keep working through the area towards the end of the week. Water temps on the chain have eased down a couple degrees into the low to mid 70's, and the deeper northern lakes are trending into the upper 60's to low 70's. That cooler water is a good sign heading into the back half of summer - fish tend to spread out and feed a little more aggressively once we get past the real heat of summer.

Crappie are holding in that deeper water off the weed edges, though as the water cools a touch, don't be surprised to see them creep shallower toward evening. We heard reports last week of folks catching them in 3-4’! Small jigs tipped with plastics - Mini Mites and small spinners like Beetle Spins - continue to produce, and a minnow under a slip bobber remains a solid choice if you want to keep it simple. Perch are staying consistent in the 5 to 15' cabbage, and leeches or bigger minnows on a light jig will keep you busy. If your hunting for the really big perch, look for the walleye. Bluegill are still working the weed edges, docks, and submerged structure, and a small jig tipped with a worm or waxie has been doing the trick.

Walleye remain in that deep summer groove, sitting on cabbage and weed edges in 10 to 15', or out over the deeper flats in 15 to 25'. With water temps coming down a bit, some fish may start creeping shallower during low-light hours, so it's worth working the tops of the structure early and late, then dropping deep once the sun gets up. Leeches and crawler halves on a light jig through the weed pockets are still the go-to.

Bass fishing is holding ultra-strong. Smallmouth remain glued to mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in the 8 to 15' range, and topwater at first light is still money - keep those Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers handy. Once the sun climbs, switch to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms along the deeper edges. Largemouth continue to bury up in the weeds, hitting spiders, frogs, buzz baits, and Hula Poppers early and late, with spinners and wacky worms filling in the midday gaps.

Northern should start perking up as the water cools. They are never very active in the summer heat, and the cooler nights we're expecting will help push them back onto the deeper weed edges with a little more attitude. Keep watching for those pre-frontal windows ahead of the scattered storms - that's often when the bite really turns on. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits remain a good bet.

Musky action will continue to improve as the heat backs off. We're still seeing mostly smaller fish, but with cooler water on the way, expect more consistent follows and eats as the fish shake off the stress of the last several weeks. Bucktails worked over and along weed edges remain the ticket.

It's hard to believe, but we're already well into the back half of summer up here. School supplies are in the stores, the boat landings won't be quite as crowded on weekdays, and the mornings are starting to carry just a hint of that early-fall crispness. It's some of the best fishing of the year once things settle into this pattern, so don't let the calendar fool you into thinking the season's winding down - if anything, it's just getting good.

Good luck and good fishin'!