Fishing Report:
Yesterday’s weather brought us snow and it was sticking on the ground. Today we have a little reprieve in the weather as it is cloudy and cool. ...more The snow will go quickly as it is expected to be in the mid- forties for the next couple with some snow showers predicted for the weekend. It still will be quite cool at night so I would not forget to bring the cold and/or rain gear with you are planning a trip north.
This is one of the best times to fish on the area lakes and rivers, with the least amount of anglers on the water. Most of the area lakes have turned over, or are in process of turning. Water temperatures were around 39 to 42 degrees. Big fish can be caught this time of year as fish are putting the “feed bag” on before the winter months.
Musky fishing has been good and will only get better with the cooler temperatures. The majority of the musky have been caught using suckers on quick strike rigs. Soak one sucker boat side, if casting, for following fish. Place the others under a slip bobber over deeper structure. Anglers have been targeting weedlines, breaks, and rock bars. Casting glide baits, bucktails, jerk baits, and plastic baits have also enticed a few fish.
The area lakes still has produced some crappies and a few walleyes. Crappies were found around the deeper weed areas. A 1/32oz jig or #6 hook baited with a small fathead minnow suspended under a bobber has produced best. Casting a 1/32oz jig and 2″ plastic combo will also produce crappies. Walleyes were found in the deeper holes and on the bottom. A jig baited with a fathead minnow will work best for walleyes. A jig dressed with a 4″ twister tail, paddle tail or ringworm can also work well.
Walleye fishing can be great on the area lakes in the fall. The best times to fish is during early morning or evening hours when they will be found around shallower weed beds. Soaking a fathead or small sucker under a lighted slip bobber will produce. Casting over the tops of weeds with minnow style crankbaits can also work great. During daylight hours concentrate on deeper structure using a jig or lindy rig baited with a minnow.
Bluegills and crappies were found around weed beds or suspended over deeper water. An ice jig or small hook baited with a wax worm, spike, or leafworm works best for bluegills. Crappies prefer an small hook or 1/32oz jig baited with a small fathead minnow. Jig and plastic combos have produced both crappies and gills.
Perch have been active around shallower sand flats with scattered weed clumps. A small jig or hook baited with a fathead or crappie minnow suspended under a small bobber has produced.
Fall is a great time of year to target bass, especially for the bigger fish. Areas with baitfish present near weeds, rocks, and breaks will hold fish. Small sucker fished on a live bait rig or under a slip bobber works best. Casting crankbaits, swim jigs, and jig & chunk combos can also produce.
Northern pike were found around weeds or along breaks. A jig or slip sinker rig baited with a sucker will work best for pike. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, spoons, and chatterbaits will also put fish in the boat.