Fishing Report:

A little consistency in the weather would certainly help to improve fishing on the area lakes. We still have the series of high and lows passing ...more through and it has anglers and fish all confused. This week we have experienced cold, wind, rain and now mild and humid conditions with more rain on the way. This weekend as we really get into the fall season we are hoping for some more stable weather patterns. The good news is that the water temperatures are dropping and that should improve the fish bite. At present low light periods seem to best for all species.

Bluegills have been found in various locations depending on the lake. Look for the bigger fish along weed lines in 8-18 feet of water, sand grass in 12 to 20 feet on the bottom or suspended 10-20 feet down over deeper water. A small jig dressed with a leafworm, waxworm, piece of nightcrawler or 1-inch plastic tail has produced. Vertical jigging or a slip-bobber rig was the best presentation. Smaller bluegills can be found in the shallower weeds and will provide a lot of action.

Crappie fishing was fair, but should only get better with the cooler water temps. Look for them suspended around mid-depth weeds during early morning and evening, and suspended along drop-offs or weed lines during the day. A fathead or crappie minnow baited on a No.6 hook or 1/32-ounce jig suspended under a bobber will work best. Casting a 1/32-ounce jig and plastic combo and drifting also has produced.

Perch were found around shallower sand/mud/weed flats. A 1/32-ounce jig or No.8 hook baited with a crappie minnow, leafworm or piece of nightcrawler on a split-shot rig or under a small bobber will work best.

Largemouth bass have been most active around weed beds near bait fish. Casting swim jigs, Texas-rigged plastics, wacky worms, tubes, crank baits and spinner baits has produced. Night crawlers or small suckers under a bobber work best for live bait.

Smallmouth bass were found around shallower rock bars and along breaks. Casting tube jigs, swim jigs, skirted grubs, drop-shot rigs and crank baits has produced. Small suckers and night crawlers have worked best for live bait. Top-water baits will work early and late in the day.

Northern pike were very active along deeper structure near suspended bait fish. A medium sucker fished on a hair jig or slip-sinker rig produced best. Casting chatter baits, Mepps spinners, buzz baits, swim baits or lipless crank baits around the shallow weed flats will produced smaller pike.

Walleye fishing remains slow. Walleyes have been found on the bottom near structure in 15-25 feet of water during daylight. A slip-sinker rig or jig baited with a small sucker, fathead or night crawler will work well. In the evening and during dark, try casting minnow-style crank baits or spinner baits with a twister tail over the tops of shallower weed beds or rock bars.

Musky anglers reported many follows with only a few takers. As the water cools, musky will become increasingly active. Casting bucktails and spinner baits has enticed the most follows. BullDawgs, swim baits and glide baits also have triggered fish. Try soaking a sucker on a quick-strike rig to catch the followers.