Sept. 8, 2020

Walleye - Walleye fishing proved to be very challenging for many anglers this last week as several cold fronts and high winds made walleyes sluggish and boat control extremely challenging.  Still some anglers were able to locate and catch walleyes.  Best reports came in 10 feet of water or less on wind blown shorelines. Jig and minnows were the top producing, but there were a few reports of crawlers also being effective, on a jig.  Water temps continue to fall into the 50’s now, so angler should expect the minnow bite to only get better and better. 

Smallmouth - Bass anglers struggled too, but there were a few reports of topwater fishing working during the early morning hours.  Whopper ploppers and hulla poppers accounted for the topwater action reported by anglers. Anglers also reported catching numbers of smallies out on top of sunken islands, with a jig and big minnow. 

Pike - Pike anglers reported good fishing, but size of pike was on the small side. Anglers mainly found pike inside weedbeds and around river mouths.  Large spoons, spinnerbaits and in-line spinners were very effective on pike.

Stream Trout - Stream trout anglers reported good trout fishing from shore this last week.  As water temps drop, stream trout rise back up and start cruising the shoreline.  Anglers caught trout by floating a crawler off the bottom, casting small spoons and small jigs and twisters, fished around downed trees or near large flats, was very effective. Early and late in the day was the beat times to be out fishing for them.