Rain and thunderstorms last week and earlier this week as given way to some sunny, warm, but breezy days.  The kind of weather you would expect to see in August which has brought both challenging and rewarding fish outings.  Fall changes are definitely taking place as evident by the road side ferns beginning to turn brown and some leaves changing colors and falling to the ground.  Soon fishing techniques and patterns will change as late summer moves into the fall season.  

This week boat electronics with side imaging and GPS electronics have been major contributor to finding fish, but If you solely rely on mark and waypoints on the graph and something happens like the wind picks up, pushing the boat off the spot, it can be difficult to get back to the spot.   Once you have located the fish throw out a marker buoy.  With a buoy you can pitch or cast to the buoy knowing the jig will be falling down to where you want it to.   

Area lakes had a decent bite for crappie and perch is week with the fish starting to move off their summer weeds.  Things continue to pick up in deeper waters related to structure such as rock, humps, cribs and downed wood.  Slip bobbers and/or jigging small plastics or crappie minnows has been successful.   

Walleye continue to be found on mid-lake humps and rice beds in the area.  Speed trolling in the 2.5-3 mph range has been good using long-line crankbaits over 20-30 feet of water.  Water temperatures in all area waters are definitely cooling, but probably slowed a little this week due to higher than average day and night time temperatures. Still the best times are early and late. 

Largemouth bass are still being caught near shallower weed areas and under docks shade.  Wacky worms, smaller top water baits like frogs and jitter bugs have been good.  Northern pike are also in the shallow weed areas and will bite on spinnerbaits or just about anything else.  These two species have provided the most action. 

Musky anglers are still a little frustrated with the bite.  Still seeing fish and getting follows, but seldom hookups.  Most of the musky caught this past couple of weeks have been on live bait.  Floating a sucker on a quick strike rig while casting is a good tactic.  When retrieving bring the lure back along the sucker and then if there are following fish they may take the sucker.  If not using a sucker be sure to figure eight at the boat

Here are the species of fish available to catch in the “QUIET LAKES”

MUSKY

The king of freshwater fish. They are the top predator and least populated fish in our lakes. Catch and release is the common practice these days. It’s known as the fish of 10,000 casts, but hiring a guide will cut those odds.

NORTHERN PIKE

Wisconsin’s second largest predator fish, second only to their relative the Musky. Pike are typically very aggressive and will feed anytime the opportunity allows. They prefer weed flats and other ambush points.

WALLEYE

The walleye is the largest member of the perch family and is often targeted for its table fare. Walleyes can be tough to find, but when they are located, they typically cooperate and bite. Bait secret: minnows, nightcrawlers and leeches, and back to minnows as the season starts and finishes.

PERCH

A small fish that most anglers seek more for the taste than the tug. Adults average 7 to 10 inches which make it a good fish for all ages to catch. Perch have a tendency to congregate in large schools making it a one-stop spot to catch your dinner.

BASS

Large and smallmouth bass are brothers, but like family they do take separate paths. We have several small backwoods lakes that offer untapped largemouth fishing, and several area lakes that offer numbers to trophy fishing for smallmouth. NOTE: the season for smallmouth isn’t open to harvest until the 3rd Saturday of June. Regulations for harvest of largemouth are different from lake to lake.

PANFISH

These fish are probably one of the most popular sport and eating fish in Wisconsin. Crappies, bluegills, and sunfish are our most common “panfish”. Probably the most targeted fish in the spring, and often over harvested. Remember to take only enough for a meal and leave some for another day.