One morning on the dock this week, a guide yelled over to another, “Hey, happy ground hog day.” It took me a second, but then I got it, just like the movie – we wake up every morning to the same day. Then I was stuck with that Sonny and Cher song (I got you babe) in my head all day. So Yes, very little has changed. Overall volume is very good but the bite is patchy and time dependent. We mark fish on a spot in a morning and don’t catch them. Go back later in the afternoon and do well. Three guides fish a spot in a morning; one bombs, one does OK, and one kills them. We are dealing with pods of fish that turn off and on at random times, depths, and locations. We are continuing to catch a good number of big fish, but no giants. Like Bill Murray, we have been a little frustrated.
For the week, we caught and released 45 walleyes over 27 in., including 12 – 28s. Volume was strong with daily guide sheets averaging 40 fish over 18 in. per boat per day. The highest daily total for the week was 78. Incidental catch of big bass and pike isn’t worth mentioning.
The weed beds are dying. There are still a few small walleyes shallow, but no real sign of a late season major shallow water bite. All of the big fish are still being caught in the 25 – 30 ft. zone. Jigs and minnows are the go to bait. Occasionally spinners will turn fish, but most days, you just have to slow down to catch fish consistently.
