For the Tomahawk Leader
A serious cold front moved in earlier this month, as they always do at some point, pushing fish such as bluegills out of the shallows. Thankfully we’ve seen many species basically finish spawning and temps are expected to slowly rebound.
We’ve had little rain over the last week, but water levels have held up pretty well. While water temps were in the 70’s on most lakes, the cold front dropped them back a bit. Weed growth has been accelerating lately, and we now have some pretty good weed beds on most lakes.
Walleye fishing has been good despite the cold. To find fish locally, find weeds — and the thicker the better. If you can locate the musky cabbage, this is by far your best choice. Walleye are in these weeds all day, and savvy anglers are taking advantage of this and doing quite well on those deep weed edges, especially with this cold. Jigs and minnows are still the way to go.
On the bigger, deeper lakes the weeds are also coming up some, and the fish are reacting the same way. Weed walleye fishing will last in part through the whole summer. You’ll find fish on these clear lakes in 12 to 18 feet or so, even on bright days.
Northern action has been great, per usual. These fish are also in weeds, both in the shallower weeds but also in that deep grass that you’ll find on many lakes. If you are targeting them, use larger sucker minnows for the best results. They will hit almost any artificial also, with spoons or spinnerbaits working best.
Bass fishing has been pretty good. It seems that most of these fish have finished their spawn and can be found a little deeper than earlier this month. For smallies, leeches are the best live bait but you can get fish just using a 1/8 oz. jig with plastic tails close to the bottom. Largemouth love plastics at all times and will hit artificial minnows in the shallows. If you’re trying to use nightcrawlers, the bluegills may drive you crazy stealing them.
Musky action has started slowly, as usual, with mostly smaller fish being caught. This is a normal pattern, with the males becoming more active first after their spawn. The local recovery is well underway, and fish in the 38″ to 45″ range are now starting to feed. We’re behind on the bigger lakes, but some fish are now being reported on northern lakes.
Panfish action was better before the cold front moved in, but crappies and bluegills will return to the shallows. Try minnows or small plastics for the crappies and worms for the ‘gills. Perch are in the weeds acting like small walleyes and will hit both leeches and minnows well, along with worms.
Good luck and good fishin’!