Fishing Report: Summer is in full swing

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – As we roll into the holiday week, summer is in full swing in the Northwoods.

It’s been a classic mix of sun, storms, humidity and a few refreshing cool nights – just enough variation to keep the fish guessing and anglers on their toes. After a fall with the cold weather, water temperatures have bumped up a bit and are now mostly in the low 70s, with shallower lakes pushing a little higher. Fishing overall has been decent, especially on those days with cloud cover. With the Fourth of July bringing more boats to the water, it’s a good time to plan early or late outings for the best results.

Walleye action remains good but has definitely become more variable depending on weather shifts. Most fish are now holding in or around the deeper weed edges, usually between 12 and 18 feet. Weedless jigs tipped with minnows continue to work, but we’ve seen a strong shift toward leeches over the past week. Slip bobbers remain a go-to for many anglers, especially in the evenings. For those who’d rather keep moving, casting a Keitech or similar soft plastic through the weeds has been productive. Just remember: when the sun is high and the skies are clear, you’ll need to fish deeper and slower.

Bass fishing has stayed consistent. The smallmouth spawn is essentially over, but there are still fish lingering shallow, especially in the mornings. If you’re not finding them there, look for rocks. They’re hitting leeches, plastics and even small jerkbaits. Largemouth are holding tight to cover and will smash topwaters or twitch baits fished through lily pads, cattails or under docks. These topwaters are great fun, as the fish make quite a show hitting aggressively and even coming up out of the water – perfect for summer mornings or calm evenings.

Panfish continue to offer some of the best action of the season. While we’re still seeing some shallow fish, crappies are mostly settling into deeper summer spots, usually around 10 to 12 feet, and are hitting well on small minnows or tubes under a bobber. Bluegills are still found shallow, especially around piers, downed trees and brush along the shore. They’re a great option for kids or anyone looking for fast action. Worms and waxies are still top picks, and evenings have been especially productive.

Northern pike are doing what pike do – cruising weed edges and eating just about anything that moves. They’re being caught alongside walleye and bass, with larger minnows, spoons and spinnerbaits all producing. Target cabbage weeds and don’t be afraid to go big with your bait.

Musky activity is slowly picking up. These fish are mostly recovered from the spawn and are becoming more active, particularly on cloudy days or around storm fronts. Anglers are still having success on smaller bucktails, jerkbaits, and crankbaits worked along weed edges in four to eight feet of water. We expect the musky bite to improve in the coming weeks as water temperatures stabilize and fish get into full summer mode.

It’s a busy time on the lakes, with boat traffic increasing ahead of the holiday. Your best bet is to hit the water early or in the evenings when things settle down and the fish become more active. As always, stay flexible, watch the weather and be safe out there. Have a great Fourth of July!

Good luck and good fishin’!