We’re holding onto that summer heat for another week, with highs generally in the upper 70’s to low 80’s and another round of scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms working through over next weekend – some capable of gusty winds – so it’s always a good idea to have an eye on the sky if you’re out on big water. Water temps on the chain remain in the mid to upper 70’s, with the deeper lakes to the north sitting a touch cooler in the low to mid 70’s, and even some upper 60’s. The smoke from the Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires has eased up a lot compared to recent weeks, but patchy haze can still roll through on and off, so keep that in mind

Crappie are staying put in that deeper water along the weed edges, and the small jig and plastic combo – Mini Mites, Beetle Spins and similar– are working for them. If you prefer live bait, a small minnow under a float should do the trick.  Perch fishing remains good, with these guys hanging in that 5 to 15′ cabbage zone. Leeches or bigger minnows on a light jig will catch these guys. As always, if you’re marking walleye, don’t be surprised to find some big perch sharing the same water. Bluegill are content off the weed edges and around submerged wood, docks and the like, and a small jig with worm or a waxie will keep the rods bent.

Walleye continue to sit in that deeper summer pattern, working the cabbage and weed edges in 10 to 15′, or out over the flats in 15 to 25′ – basically, as deep as you can get. The deeper range is definitely a better bet mid-day in the sun. Leeches and half a crawler on a light jig fished through the weed pockets should get bit, and it’s still worth running the wind-blown edges where you’re likely to find fish stacked up.

Bass fishing remains outstanding across the board. Smallmouth are still glued to the mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in that 8 to 15′ zone, and topwater at first light continues to be about as good as it gets – keep the Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers tied on. Once the sun is up, switching over to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms along the deeper edges of that same structure. Largemouth are buried in the weeds and hammering spiders, frogs, buzz baits, and Hula Poppers in the early and late hours, with spinners and wacky worms picking up the slack through the middle of the day.

Northern are still a fair option around the deeper weed edges, though they’re not exactly thrilled with the warm water. With more unsettled weather in the forecast again this week, keep watching for those pre-frontal windows – the bite on northern often kicks into gear just ahead of a storm, and the cooler water that follows a good rain helps, too. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits remain good choices.

We’ve seen some smaller musky caught in the last week, and as the weather settles and cools this action will improve. Bucktails should be your best bet right now, and look for weeds. These fish are still recovering from the heat we saw earlier, so treat them with the respect they deserve! Keep them in the water and let them recover before release.

It looks like it’s going to be a pretty nice week up here, and now that it’s officially August – well, we all know that this fact somehow speeds up time. Get out there and enjoy whatever time on the water and in the sun that you’re able!

Good luck and good fishin’!