Summer has arrived!
The Cabbage weeds are mostly topped out, the lake level is rising, the mayflies are emerging, the bass are done, and the walleyes are making their way towards the main lake basins. It was warm this past week and the weather events that had the biggest impact on fishing were the days with no wind.
When the lake was flat calm, it was a challenge to get the walleyes to bite. We spent much more time in the 12 – 20 ft. zone this week, but there were still many walleyes shallow (smaller ones) and a few down deep. Gulp and plastics pulled at speed put more than half the walleyes in the boats this week. It was the best answer for walleyes spread out on the flats and especially for those that were suspended 2 – 6 ft. off bottom. There were a few caught with speed (1.2 – 1.5 mph), but most of the Gulping success reported was at 1 mph or less. Big Gulp Nemesis (6.5 in.) began to produce more this week, but most guides chose Crazy Legs (5 in.) or Curly tail grubs in 4 – 5 in.
For the week, we caught and released 63 walleyes over 27 in., including 17 – 28s, 2 – 29s, and 1 – 30. Volume depended on the weather conditions and the day, but for the week, guide sheets averaged 35 walleyes over 18 in. per boat per day. The highest daily total was 97.
We had a few guests slinging for pike this week and their results were also good. The newly mature weed beds located close to relatively deep water were key locations. Big spoons (Williams Whitefish and Doktors) were top producers. For the week, we caught and released 22 pike over 37 in., including 3 – 38s, 4 – 39s, 3 – 40s, and Howard Lampert caught a 43.25.
We spent some time on Bass at the beginning of the week, but by the end, it was pretty much done for the year. This week, we released 23 over 19 in., including 2 – 20s.
