We’re headed back into a warmer stretch this week, with highs climbing into the mid-80’s and a decent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms rolling through on several afternoons – some of which could be on the strong side, so keep an eye on the sky if you’re out on open water. Water temps on the chain have crept back up into the upper 70’s with the warmer air, and the bigger, deeper lakes to the north are holding in the mid-70’s.

We’re still seeing some patchy smoke drift through from the wildfires up in Canada and northern Minnesota, so the same advice from last week applies – if it looks hazy or you can smell it in the air, it’s worth checking the air quality index if you have health concerns for yourself or anyone in your boat.

Crappie have slid back out to that deeper zone along the weed edges with the warmer water, and small jigs and plastics like Mini Mites are getting it done. Perch continue to be a bright spot this summer, with good numbers and some big fish showing up in that 5 to15’ cabbage zone – minnows and leeches on a light jig remain the go-to. If you’re finding walleye, there are likely some big perch mixed in. Bluegill are holding steady off the weed edges and around submerged wood, and a small jig tipped with worm or the same on a hook under a float will keep you busy all day.

We can expect the walleye to slide back down to some deeper water as things warm again this week. Look for fish working the cabbage and weed edges in the 10 to 15’ range, or in 15-25’ range over flats, with the deeper end of both being the best options on sunny afternoons. Leeches or a half a crawler on a light jig fished through those weed pockets should produce, and wind-blown edges are still worth a look for stacked-up fish.

Bass action remains excellent and shows no signs of slowing down. Smallmouth are locked in on the mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in that 8 to 15′ range, and topwater in the early morning is still about as good as it gets – keep the Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers ready. A bit later in the morning, a switch to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms fished along the deeper edges of the same structure should keep you busy. Largemouth are still buried in the weeds and eating spiders, frogs, buzz baits and Hula Poppers early and late in the day, with spinners and wacky worms catching these guys during the mid-day.

Northern remain a decent option around deeper weed edges, although they aren’t fond of the heat. With more unsettled weather moving through this week, keep an eye out for those pre-frontal windows – the bite on northern often picks up right before a storm rolls in and the cool-down in water that the rain brings helps after the system passes. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are worth having tied on.

We continue to ask musky anglers to handle their fish with extra care as things warm back up. Keep them in the water as much as possible, support them upright and facing into any current to keep water moving through their gills, and give them the time they need before the release. This just isn’t the ideal weather for fishing for these guys.

With the heat and humidity building back up and a few rounds of storms in the forecast this week, mornings and evenings are still your best bet for both comfort and action. Keep half an eye on the radar during the afternoons, but don’t let a passing storm cell keep you off the water longer than it has to – the bite often turns on right before and after a storm rolls through. Enjoy every moment out there now, as this fleeting season is moving fast!

Good luck and good fishin’!