We are now in serious late fall, with very cold conditions which has caused a huge drop in water temperatures. For the walleye and musky fishermen, this is a great ...more time. Some rain and a little snow (yes snow) has kept the water levels up and the daytime temperatures are now in the upper 30’s and upper 40’s and 20’s at night. This is the best time for the bigger fish. It will not be long and we will thinking of ice fishing. Grouse hunters are happy with the leaves off the trees and the deer hunters know the deer are in the beginnings of the rut. We have talked to some very happy grouse hunters, who have said that the hunting has been much better than expected.

Walleye fishing should be picking up now. Some anglers have reported some very nice sized fish being taken. Jigs and larger minnows are definitely the best bait. As usual at this time of the year, they are in the drop offs in about 18 to 25' of water. On the bigger, deeper lakes they are in the 18 to 30' range on the drop offs off the weeds. Look for harder bottom areas and use fatheads or walleye suckers. Fish deep if the wind will allow.

The bass are still active. The few bass anglers that we have talked to have been doing very well. Crawlers and minnows have all been working.

Musky action is been good and with this drop in water temperature the action should continue good this week. Action on suckers has been very good and they are starting to chase the bigger suckers now. After a turnover like this, the fish can be anywhere in the water column. Larger baits are now working well, with jerk baits fished over the deeper weed edges working quite well now. Slower retrieves are more effective at this point, as the fish will move slower in the colder water.

We still have a few perch and crappie anglers out there, but as the temperatures get colder we really do not see too many panfish anglers. Both perch and crappies are hitting on minnows.

It should be a great week to be musky fishing despite the cold weather. Get out that cold weather gear.