Water temps: high 70’s, low 80’s depending on wind and sun.
After this week’s hot, calm weather, we’re seeing an algae bloom affect water clarity. This is a plus and a minus, as it reduces visibility, making fish less spooky. However, the hot weather has made walleye lethargic, and high water temperatures mean mortality risks for musky. Luckily, the water has cooled for now, and the wind has made the fish more active.
WALLEYE:
We survived another annual summer bug hatch and the fish have fixated their forage on crayfish and young of the year perch. Clouds and clouds of perch and minnow bait balls can be found in the shallows and weeds but the fish feeding on crayfish in the rocks have been the most active so thats where you should turn your attention. It seems that you have to mix it up a little to catch multiple fish from a school once located. Start with a bobber and leech or crawler combo and once they say no to that, switch to an 1/8oz jig and worm or leech swam slolwly back to the boat. Basically just cast and reel with light and slow movemnts of the rod tip. Once they stop biting the jig, cast a jigging rap as a last resort to trigger reaction strikes before breaking up the school. With the recent hot weather and calm conditions, the low light periods have been better than midday. After dark, anglers are finding success trolling shad raps around main lake rock points and reefs as well.
The classic summertime lindy rig bite, using a lightweight, single hook, and inflated crawler, will also catch fish slow-rolled at .5-.8mph.
MUSKY:
We’re just now entering typical summer musky patterns, with active fish in weeds and off main lake rock points and reefs in 8-14 feet of water. Size 8-10 or combination 8/10 bladed bucktails are king when burned over these spots. The suspended fish seem to be in more of a neutral, negative mode and head out in open water to digest rather than feed. Like the walleye, low light periods and into dark have seen the most musky activity.
This summer program will only get better over the next couple of months but remember to practice caution or avoid targeting musky altogether when water temperatures reach over 80 degrees to reduce the risk of fish mortality.
Toby Kvalevog
Leisure Outdoors
https://leisureoutdooradventures.com/guide/toby-kvalevog/
