September 10th, 2024
***Fishing Report***
Walleye - Walleye anglers have struggled a little this last week. Recent cold snap has pushed most walleyes down to 15-20 feet of water. Leadcoring small crankbaits has been on fire and has been the top way to catch walleyes in these depths. Anglers have been focusing on large sand or mud flats for leadcoring. Jigging large minnows has also been worth knotting. Orange/Chartreuse, Gumball, and Pink/White jigs continue to be popular colors. Anglers jigging minnows have been focusing around river mouths and sunken islands in 15-30 feet of water.
Smallmouth - Smallies continue to be the easiest fish to catch right now as smallies have begun to fatten up for winter. Smallies can now be found just about anywhere. Sunken islands, rivers, river mouths, large boulder flats, downed trees and around islands. Small suckers have been red hot for smallies, out around sunken islands, but smallies relating to shorelines have been hitting topwater, in-line spinners, spinnerbaits and large paddle tails.
Panfish - Crappies and sunfish were starting to group up with that last cold snap, but recent warm weather has spread them out again. Nonetheless anglers have been catching good numbers and quality fish, both are being found in and around weedbeds. Sunfish are hanging out inside of the weedbeds while crappies are hanging just outside weedbeds, then moving into the weedbeds during the last hour of light. Beetle spins, jig/twisters have both accounted for the bulk of panfish being caught.
Pike - Pike anglers had mixed success this last week. Fishing for big pike picked up a little during the cool snap, but has slowed up with the current warm spell. Big pike were hitting large suckers, fished under a bobber. Large spoons, large crankbaits and large spinnerbaits, fished around river mouths and main lake points has been the best technique right now.
Stream Trout - Rainbow trout continue to bite for many anglers fishing the local stream trout lakes. Anglers fishing from shore continue to catch rainbows with a nightcrawler, fished under a bobber, 5-15 feet down. Small spoons and jig/twisters have also been catching rainbows. Anglers fishing in a boat have been having good luck catching rainbows, trolling cowbells, tipped with a small crankbait, or just trolling crankbaits over deep water.
