May 16th, 2023

***Fishing Report***

Walleye - Anglers found walleye in a classic post spawn pattern, meaning mostly males and largely scattered but hungry fish. As usual, a jig and rainbow reigned supreme over opening weekend for anglers. Gold, gold/red, pink, blue were the top colors over the weekend for anglers. Anglers focused their efforts on current areas and large gravel flats in anywhere from 2 feet of water, down to as much as 16 feet of water. There was a handful of anglers who focused on these same areas with large floating rapalas, during the evening hours, and are being rewarded with some very large walleyes. Peak water temps reported were 53 degrees.

Pike - Pike anglers have not been disappointed so far this year. Anglers have been catching some very large pike with a heavy suckers floated under a large bobber. Shallow water, 10 feet or less has been best. Best areas to find these big pike has been in shallow mud bottom bays, near river mouths, but floating a sucker right off your dock or campsite, no matter the location, is always worth it this time of the year.

Stream Trout - While there were not a lot of stream trout anglers over opening weekend, there were still some who targeted streamers. With the late ice out, trout were located very close to shore and very high in the water column. Small spoons, small crank baits and spinners, casted along shorelines was every effective on hungry trout. Other anglers fishing from shore floated a night crawlers, about five feet under a bobber, and reported having good success.

Panfish - With several days in the high 70’s, crappies were being found in the shallow, mud bottom bays. Crappie minnow or hair jigs, suspended under a bobber was very effective. Pencil reeds and downed trees are areas to focus on within these mud bays.