Fishing has been on fire here in Northern Wisconsin the past few weeks! Water temps are ranging between the upper 50s and upper 60s and lots of species are shallow and hungry. Walleyes are in post-spawn mode and the larger females are starting to feed again. These walleyes are still being caught shallow in many bodies of water between 4 and 12 feet and even shallower after dark. Casting small swimbaits, jerkbaits and jig/minnow combos has been very good as well as trolling shad-style crankbaits after dark or during the day on darker water reservoir systems.
Crappies are in all modes of the spawn and will likely be located in or around shallow wood or emergent vegetation. Live minnows on small jigs under floats work best to suspend baits in their face in the thick cover.
Smallmouth bass are also spawning in many systems although some are still pre-spawn. Jerkbaits have been absolutely on fire for smallies this year as well as ned rigs and drop shot rigs with a short leader to keep the bait closer to the bottom for the bed fish. (as always, try to keep the excessive pressure off these spawning fish and just catch one or two for a photo op and then go look for other opportunities.). Pike, largemouth, bluegills and more are also hammering and it should be a great June to get out and fish! Good luck guys
Caleb Wistad
Hooked Up WI