Fishing Report June 29,2009

[Jim DaRosa]

Last few days have been very windy and have not fished the lake since last Friday. Even the walleye guys are not fishing this side of the lake..so you know its REAL Windy.
Fished Monday with Ron G a noted fly fisherman from Montana and Friday with Russ C and Don D both of Isle. Both trips we saw lots of fish shallow, but getting them to bite was a difficult task indeed. Seems like the majority of bass are post spawn, there are a few late spawners still on beds and can be taken on traditional baits. Fish were also observed surface feeding on mayflies.
I observed an angler bobbrt fishing for spawners using live leeches.....the three fish they caught were released but within minutes they were belly up....DEAD, not only was the fish wasted but the fruits of the spawn were wasted also.

Lake conditions (before winds churned things up) Water Surface Temp 68-75 degrees, algea bloom continues in shallow areas of lake, Lake Bug....Mayflies continue to hatch and provide an easy meal for all fish. Water Clarity:vaires 2- 5 feet.
Forcast: Look for post spawn and bug hatches to decline and Mille Lacs smallie action to increase as summer patterns set in. Fish should be active on many of the lakes rock reefs.

No report next week..Taking a few days vacation to be with family over the July 4th holidays. Have a safe 4th!!

[KRG]

DNR needs to open the smallie season the same day as walleye opener. Should be catch & release, barbless hooks, and no live bait until July 1 when intentional fishing smallies - similar to WI. I haven't seen anyone floating over beds with bobbers and leeches in northen WI the past 2 Junes. I've never understood the point of opening bass season when most bass in MN are STARTING to spawn.

[Jim DaRosa]

KRG...you bring up some very interesting points....I totaly agree with barbless hooks and no intentional live bait fishing for smb.

[KRG]

Greeted by a 10+mph North wind, 64-65 degree water & algae blooms on Thursday morning. Seemed like the smallies were still in a post-spawn funk. Lots of fry clouds swimming around the reefs. Nothing chasing cranks or swimming grubs. Sun came out in the afternoon and some fish came out to play on the SW reefs. I basically had to deadstick plastics to get bit. The smaller fish in the 10-14" range seemed the most active - they were the only ones coughing up perch. Caught 5 fish in the 15-20" range and they looked pretty beat up from the spawn and guarding fry. The jaw on the 20" fish looked like it had been hooked 10x while guarding a nest.

Didn't see any wolf packs out there, but maybe later this week or the next we should really be into prime summer smallie fishing.

[Jim DaRosa]

KRG..great update...THANKS...sounds like the bass are indeed in the post spawn blues. Last time out I also noticed schools of fry on the rocks. Seems like this time of year the small fish show up..dont know why.
I predict the effects of spawn should wear off by end of week, if it does, get ready for some pretty steady action from now until the water starts to cool off. Summer time smallmouth fishing is one that I really enjoy! Topwater, stick baits (texas and wacky) and of course tubes and grubs.....will all do the trick!

[KRG]

Yeah, can't wait for the topwater bite to really get going. Yum Dingers are a boring way to fish, but they sure do take big fish. I've been rigging them on Fireline and flouro leader this year. The feel is tremendous and hook-sets are solid. I've only gut-hooked one on a Dinger this year with the Fireline b/c I can generally feel them more quickly. I had the barb pinched and it came out easily - no bleeding or other obvious immediate harm to the fish.
Pinch the barbs on Senko hooks and save our smallies!

[Jim DaRosa]

I also throw the yum dinger but my favorite is the willow stick.
Pinching the barbs is the only way to go....lets face it..the Mille Lacs smallmouth fishery for all practicable purposes is a catch and release fish factory....the next one you save could be tomorrows state record!