Anglers are reporting increased success over the last week. Even though our erratic temperature swings messed with normal fish behavior this spring, things are beginning to settle into a more normal rhythm again.
Fishing for walleye? If you’re a live bait fisherman, a walleye mix of minnows or a leech are going to work best for you. Jigging has been very productive for many anglers with both leech and minnow followed by a leech on a spinner harness. Our guests and guides tell us the majority of walleye they find are between 12 and 18 feet on rock piles or similar structure. For artificial tackle, swim baits are the way to go. The top performers this week have been, in no particular order, Keitech 3 or 4 inch, Rapala Crush City, (The Mayor) in 3-4 inch and the Walleye Assassin, (Chicken on a Chain color especially) in 3 or 4 inch.
Bass are on the beds in most of the lakes now. As always, when they are on their nests, a crawfish pattern will be very effective. But now, the topwater bite has kicked into high gear. Some sure fire lures for large and smallmouth bass as well as northern pike, which are cruising the same waters, are:
• The Whopper Plopper, size 90 and 75
• Booyah Pad Crusher
• Lunker hunt Lunker Frog
• Lunker Hunt Dragon Fly Plastics are another outstanding option and a new plastic by Rapala has been amazing, the Pigstick. This plastic has great action when fished Whacky Rig or Texas Rigged.
Lake trout have moved out deeper, 40+ feet. Troll size 9 Deep Hit Sticks, Freediver 7SD or a size 7 Berkley Flicker Shad. Rainbows will readily hit trolled size 5 Berkley Flicker Shads and smaller Salmos. But your most effective method will still be a hook, crawler and slip bobber.
As mentioned in the bass section, pike are up in the shallows. Their usual tactics are still the go to, large sucker minnows, spoons and top water crank baits.
