Fishing Report: Big-time traffic of summer is about to start

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – The unsettled stretch of weather we've been expecting is here. That’s ok – we keep fishing anyhow!

Water temps are holding steady in the low- to mid-70s, and the weed growth is filling in nicely. While our temperatures this week may be a bit cooler than usual, the lakes are entering summer mode despite it.

The walleye are where we left them last week, tucked into the developing cabbage patches in six to 12 inches of water. Leeches or ½ crawlers on a light jig are working best right now. Simple but effective! Pay close attention to those pre-storm windows. Overcast skies, wind picking up and a dropping barometric pressure can all get walleye fired up in a hurry. Keep small swimbaits in your box as a change-of-pace option, especially in low-light conditions or on those wind-blown weed edges where fish tend to stack.

Crappie have moved off the beds and are settling into the outside weed edges in eight to 12 feet. Small plastics like Mini Mites worked through the top of the weed column will work great right now. Bluegill are still very much in full spawn mode – look for them in sunny, shallow bays and gravel flats. That warm water is what you’re looking for, and a small jig or just a hook and a ½ crawler is a great choice. This is a super time for the kids fishing off the dock and can provide consistent fun. The perch are a little more “grown up” right now and are mixing deeper on the weed edges with walleye in that six- to 12-foot range. They’re hitting large minnows or leechs on a jig well.

Northern are providing fantastic action now, and the overcast conditions mid-week are practically made for them. Swimbaits, Mepps spinners and chatterbaits worked through good weeds will work. When those skies go grey and the light drops, don't put the rod down – that's when a big spoon or a wakebait over the flats can produce some genuinely memorable strikes. Northern are ambush predators that love a low-light advantage.

As for bass, the Northern Zone smallmouth opens on Saturday. Catch-and-release has been producing some fantastic topwater action leading up to the opener. Ned Rigs have been excellent as well. Largemouth action continues to improve, and we’ve seen success with plastics in the four- to six-inch range.

Musky anglers, keep your evenings open. Slow-rolled bucktails and glide baits along deeper weed edges during low-light hours are your best starting points, and the mid-week weather system could stir up some genuine topwater action after the sun dips low. As always, don't skip that figure-eight at the boatside! If you want some fun inspiration, Google “boatside musky strikes” and watch a few videos.

Keep your eyes on the water in the evenings this week – the green and brown drakes have been coming off, and that means the hex hatch is lurking right around the corner. It’s likely by the time this is published, we’re in the middle of it. When that hatch kicks in, walleye and bass both go crazy on the surface. Pay attention to what's happening at dusk and be ready to match it. Those evening hours can be magical!

The schools down south are out now, and the big-time traffic of summer is about to start for real. Take advantage of early mornings and late evenings when you’re able. A quiet morning or evening on the water can be just what a person needs right now.

Good luck and good fishin'!