For the Tomahawk Leader
NORTHERN WISCONSIN – It’s expected to get much cooler after this week’s warm spell, and that is good news for the fishing – especially the musky fishing. Water levels are a little low on some lakes, but nothing catastrophic. The rain we got over the weekend helped. Temps are still in the low 60s on most bodies of water here. We’re waiting for that big, magic drop into the 50s to really get the action going.
Walleye fishing has been pretty decent. This is a good time for walleye – just as good as the musky bite but lesser known. These fish are being found in deeper water and jigs with minnows or crawlers are working. We’ve heard from many people about those crawlers, so they’re worth taking with. All the lakes on the Eagle River Chain are producing well in or near the holes. On those few lakes without distinct holes, just fish the deepest part. On the bigger lakes we’ve also been hearing of some luck with crank baits.
Panfish action is very good for both perch and crappies. You will find crappie mixed right in with the walleyes in deeper water. Small plastics or fathead minnows are best for these fish. Perch are basically moving to deeper water, but tend to hold longer in the deeper weeds. We see a good number of perch anglers in the fall.
Bass fishing is highlighted right now by smallies, and they too are deeper. The best action is in 20 to 30 feet with plastics. Jigs with minnows will also produce in this deeper water. The crayfish are gone by now, so the smallies move to feeding mostly on minnows. A few largemouth are being caught in the weeds, but few anglers are targeting them.
Northerns are hitting mostly in the weeds. Flashy baits like Mepps Spinners or Johnson Silver Minnows are working well. Look for the deeper green weeds to hold the most fish.
This is the time for great musky fishing, and it will only improve as the water temperatures drop on all lakes. Musky anglers wait all year for this to happen, and they will stay out there fishing for them right until the last day of the season or ice up, whichever comes first.
We are starting to see a little action with suckers, despite the warm days. The best baits are jerk baits and twitch baits over the weeds and on the deeper weed edges. Out over deeper water, try some diving crank baits or plastics. Big baits and slow retrieves are starting to work now, so slow yourself down, especially as the temperatures drop.
Good luck and good fishin’!