For the Tomahawk Leader

What a week of storms and rain we had the past week! We needed the rain, and boy did we get it. Thankfully it didn’t have a huge effect on the fishing, and we’re still seeing good action on most all area lakes.

Walleye fishing held up well, with evening action still bringing the best bite. The fish are holding in deeper weeds or in wood. Minnows have been the best bait for them, fished on jigs right at the weed edges. As we said, evenings are best ,but you can also fish successfully during the daytime for them. Fish very close to the bottom for walleyes, unless heavy weeds dictate a slip bobber that is set much higher.

Northern action has been very good. A lot of these fish have been caught by anglers who were fishing for bass or walleye in the weeds. Minnows work best, but they will hit just about any artificial bait. Look for the deep weed on many lakes in the 10’ to 13’ range. They hold very well in these deeper weeds, and you can run crankbaits or minnows on slip bobbers over these weeds.

Bass action continues to be good, with the largemouth hitting well on plastics. Look for the thickest “slop” you can find for these fish. Surface baits are also great fun at this time of year. Smallies are hitting on many lakes. They are usually over rocks and harder bottom areas. You can also “twitch” for these fish on calm days over shallow rocks with floating Rapalas.

Musky action continues to be decent, both during the daytime and at night. Things tend to slow with the full moon, which we will see tonight (Tuesday, Aug. 1) – but will pick up as we move further from that phase. Surface baits and bucktails continue to be the best baits. Some larger fish are being caught now as we slide towards late summer.

Panfish action is good, with bluegills again leading the way. Just find some weeds and use worms or waxies with light tackle for these fish. Crappie action has been very good this summer, with the crappies holding especially to deeper wood and weeds. Minnows are best for these guys. Perch are also hitting minnows and leeches in the deeper part of weed beds or right on the edge in the mud.

It looks like we’ve got some nice summer temps coming, with maybe some more rain mid-week. Get out and enjoy the fishing between the storms.

Good luck and good fishin’!