July 28, 2010

Area guides are reporting a mixed bag of success as fish are far into their summer patterns. 

Musky sport fishing is heating up on lakes like Moose, Deer, and Cutfoot Sioux. 

Walleyes are into their late summer patterns and require you to keep moving around those typical lake structures like rock piles and bars until you find them. Live bait rigging in deeper water is producing fish – leeches seem to be the bait of choice right now but it is still a good idea to keep crawlers in the boat too. On windy days, you can fish the shallower rocks where you will get the bonus of some perch mixed in.  The recent full moon produced some excellent night fishing results on Pokegama Lake.

Sunfish and crappies continue to bite better in the evenings.  Look for sunfish at the weed lines, and crappies hiding deeper in the weeds.
 

July 15, 2010

With water temperatures now in the 70 degree range, fish are well into their mid-summer patterns.  Bait fish populations are at their peak, which has slowed walleye fishing some.  Winnie and Pokegama are still producing fish with spinners and night crawlers producing best results.  Continue to look for fish on structures in 12-25 feet of water for Pokegama Lake, and 20-26 feet of water for Winnie.  There will be a full moon on July 25^th, and some local guides say the night fishing action will heat up then.  Bass are biting on plastic worms at the weed lines and bullrush beds.  Crappie and sunfish action is still best in the evening.
 

July 7, 2010 

Water surface temperatures are now around the 70 degree mark on many area lakes.   On larger bodies of water, the baitfish and walleyes have moved from the bars into deeper water and can often be found suspended in 15-30 feet of water. You might still find fish on bars and humps by trolling slowly with spinner baits.  Each lake is a little different but for the most part, the fish activity pattern is about two weeks ahead of last year because of the early spring. Bass and pan fishing action has increased with the warmer temperatures. Crappie action continues to be good from 7pm until dark.
 

June 30, 2010

Walleye fishing is into the season of ups and downs as lakes are plentiful with small hatchlings and insects.  To find walleyes now, be ready to move frequently.  Look for walleyes near weeds and mid-lake humps.  Larger perch are finicky, but can be found in weeds with water depths of 6-8 feet using a jig and minnow.

Pokegama Lake is producing nice crappies and bluegills during the last two hours of the day.  For Pokegama walleyes, go for the night bite using fast action spinners.  Winnie is still showing walleye success with leeches and a 6 foot snell with a red hook.  Try locating Winnie walleyes in 18-26 feet of water near points or corners of structures to find the larger schools.
 

June 24, 2010

Storm fronts and increased food supplies due to insect and minnow hatches have made for a great week of walleye fishing. Guides are reporting the most success with a Lindy rig and night crawler, and recommend injecting a shot of air to keep the crawler off the bottom.  Leeches are also working in some presentations as are a jig and minnow.

Winnie is still producing fish as they are moving off the sandbars on the north side of the lake.  Look for them in 22-24 feet of water.  Bowstring is producing fish in 6-7 feet of water in the weeds. Sand Lake has been hit and miss but most fish are found in 10-12 feet of water on the edge of the weeds with a jig and minnow. Pokegama is producing a nice walleye bite as impressive weights were brought in during the catch and release fishing tournament on the 19^th.  Expect the night time bit to pick up on Pokegama.
 

June 9, 2010

Walleyes are starting move towards their summer patterns and anglers will need to try a variety of baits for a bite this week.  The cooler, overcast weather this week should be excellent for serious walleye seekers.  Water temps on larger and mid-sized lakes remains at 65 degrees.  Fish can be found on windy days in shallower water, sometimes 4-8 feet of water is perfect.   Deep shoreline points are holding fish in 16-24 feet of water.  A jig and minnow is still working, but some guides find that switching to a night-crawler with spinner or a slip-bobber with leech is working better on some days. 

Perch have been spotty, but good when you find them.  Look for perch and crappies near cabbage weeds.  Now that the crappies have finished spawning, they are more dispersed in the water but still tend to congregate near structure like weeds, rock piles, or fallen trees.