Russ Warye
07-31-2010, 02:54 PM
Walleye fishing is superb on mid-summer structures - humps, submerged shoreline and island points, narrows, saddles and reefs. Most of this action is occurring on main basin areas. Most anglers are choosing a jig and live bait combination which is tending to outperform Gulp choices. Throwing large crankbaits on windblown rock and island shorelines is an intriguing choice for those wanting to do something different and perhaps, work for trophy fish. Addionally, Mike Hockett reports that quality northern pike are being taken on this pattern.
Smallmouth bass are a hit or miss proposition with fish relating to specific and fairly small areas. Those taken are hitting jigs and grubs or some other plastic. Crankbaits are a second choice with the bite best on windblown structure.
Muskie action is improving as water readings are in the 70's with muskie hunters reporting numerous sightings and follows. Bucktails and jerkbaits (Suicks) are the top producers while topwaters are a secondary choice.
Northern pike fishing is tough as warm water tends to keep the larger fish in deeper water. Most mid-basin structures have a resident waulity pike or two. For example, yesterday evening a 41 incher was netted after hitting a 12-inch walleye in 26-foot depths. Even the small northerns that relate to weedlines during the summer are widely scattered now.
Smallmouth bass are a hit or miss proposition with fish relating to specific and fairly small areas. Those taken are hitting jigs and grubs or some other plastic. Crankbaits are a second choice with the bite best on windblown structure.
Muskie action is improving as water readings are in the 70's with muskie hunters reporting numerous sightings and follows. Bucktails and jerkbaits (Suicks) are the top producers while topwaters are a secondary choice.
Northern pike fishing is tough as warm water tends to keep the larger fish in deeper water. Most mid-basin structures have a resident waulity pike or two. For example, yesterday evening a 41 incher was netted after hitting a 12-inch walleye in 26-foot depths. Even the small northerns that relate to weedlines during the summer are widely scattered now.