May 14, 2024
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye anglers were greeted with warm water temps and clear blue skies. Water temps are being reported from 51-59 degrees. Anglers that fished this opener like they did last year, struggled. Small walleyes, too small to keep, we’re a common catch. Yes, a few keepers were landed, but… These anglers reported catching walleyes in 14-20 feet of water on a jig and minnows. So, where was the hot bite? Where were the big keepers, everyone wants, caught? Super shallow water. 2-7 feet of water, max! Here anglers are catching walleyes pitching 1/16oz to 1/8oz jigs, tipped with a good lively rainbow. Bigger the rainbow the better! Shallow sand flats, gravel, or near slow moving creeks entering a lake were the best place to find these active walleyes. Top jig colors reported were, green…yes green, bubble gum, blue and white.
Pike - Pike anglers had a great time catching good numbers of quality pike over opening weekend. Large pike however, over 40”, proved to be very challenging to find. Large suckers, fished under a bobber, was very effective as several groups had to return to the shop, the same day, for more large suckers. Pike anglers found pike in shallow bays with emerging weeds or a slow moving creek entering the lake.
Crappies - With water temps getting close to the 60’s, anglers looking for something to fish for, before walleye opener, found dark colored crappies in shallow water staging to spawn, in 2-6 feet of water, on many area lakes. Crappie minnows fished under a bobber or hair jigs fished back in shallow, sun soaked bays, were very effective catching nice crappies.
Stream Trout - Anglers seeking stream trout, over opening weekend, enjoyed light fishing pressure and active trout. Small silver and blue spoons, spinners, and the ever popular night crawler, were all very popular and very effective stream trout. Shore anglers and boat anglers alike, enjoyed good stream trout fishing.
Smallmouth - Smallmouth bass reports were few and far between. Reports of bass being caught were mainly from walleyes guys, targeting walleyes. With water temps very close to 60, smallies are staged in shallow bays looking to spawn, very soon. The small group of smallmouth anglers, targeting smallies, reported finding smallies in 5 ft of water or less. As you can imagine Ned rigs and tubes were very effective on these bass.
