Fishing Reports

FISHING WITH THE GUIDES  with George Langley.  

Week of  6/1 to 6/8

After a rollercoaster of spring weather, summer is finally settling in across the Northwoods. We’ve been seeing cooler-than-normal nights, and daytime temps have been climbing slowly, but steadily. That’s kept water temperatures a bit behind schedule, hovering in the upper 50’s and low 60s on most lakes, depending on depth and sun exposure. Even so, fish activity has been strong and consistent across species.

Walleye action continues to improve. With spawning well behind us, fish have moved into mid-depth weed beds and rock-gravel areas. Males and females alike are feeding well. Jigs tipped with tuffies or leeches are doing the job and slip bobbers have been particularly effective in the evenings. Some anglers are having good luck with plastics like Keitechs along the weed edges. The bite is best during low-light hours especially in the evenings and after dark.

Bass are active and visible. Smallmouth are nesting in rocky shallows, making for excellent sight fishing with light spinning gear or fly rods. Smaller plastics, twitch baits, and leeches have all produced strikes. Largemouth are starting to lock into their summer pattern, holding in bullrushes and softer-bottom bays. Surface lures and slow-moving presentations work well in these areas.

Panfish, especially bluegill and crappie, have been hitting well. Crappie are hitting small plastics and minnows around submerged wood and weed edges at 8 to 12’. Bluegills are tight to shore and aggressive, especially in the evenings. Worms and waxies under small floats are hard to beat. This is great fishing for kids, or filling the freezer.

Musky activity has started to ramp up, though they're still in post-spawn recovery mode on many lakes. Focus on smaller bucktails and #13 Rapalas near emerging weeds and shoreline cover. Anglers throwing downsized baits are seeing good action, especially on warmer afternoons. Expect more consistency in the coming weeks as the water warms.

Overall, we’re a bit behind on summer patterns, but the fish aren’t waiting. Activity is solid across the board. It looks like this week we should have some more “typical” weather for this time of the year. Now’s the time to get out and enjoy some of the best fishing of the season.

Good luck and good fishin’!