The weather was cooler this week with more seasonable high temps in the 60s & 70s. There were a few showers and T-storms, but no major cold fronts. Surface temps are just about irrelevant for the year as they have reached the 60 degree mark across the lake. Weed growth is well ahead of schedule and even main lake beds are showing some growth on the graph. The walleye bite was a continuation of last weeks red hot volume bite. The big change is that the smallmouth were also on a furious bite this past week.
Most walleye action continued to be found in the 8 – 14 ft. zone, but there were several larger fish caught in water as deep as 25 ft. Pitching jigs and twisters to shallow water eyes was productive during a few of the warmer sunny afternoons, but it wasn’t the “go to pattern.” Most of the groups were using ¼ to 3/8 oz. jigs and tails with minnows, though we did see good production with bottom bouncers and spinner rigs with minnows as well. Most days the walleyes weren’t quite aggressive enough to respond well to cranks.
For the week, we caught and released 48 walleyes over 27 in., including 13 – 28s and 1 – 29. The average daily guide sheet reported at least 50 walleyes over 18 in. and the highest daily total was 100. We had several boats that spent almost all of their time fishing for smallies and their effort resulted in very strong numbers. For the week, we caught and released 74 bass over 17 in., including 13 – 18s and 1 – 19. We keep track of bass over 15 in. and the highest daily boat total for the week was 88. I was very surprised with the numbers of big bass and the overall volume. The most popular patterns were topwater (skitter pops), spinnerbaits (up to ½ oz.), Mepps, and a variety of plastics. Jigs and twisters, tubes, flukes, and texas rigged 4” worms all produced numbers of Bass. Many of the guides used skitter pops and spinnerbaits to locate “active” bass areas and they then went back through with more subtle plastic presentations to pick up the less aggressive fish.
The pike are in the middle of transition and turned up in every imaginable spot on the lake. With no patterns to work with, the guides and guests simply didn’t target them. There were very few big pike caught last week, 1 – 37 and 1 – 38. Both were incidental catches.
As usual, we will keep our eyes to the skies. If we get some sunny hot calm days, there will be a fast shallow water pitching bite for walleyes. If it remains breezy cool and unsettled, we will be dragging jigs and spinners. And I’m sure that we will be spending more time bass fishing.
*** Cancellation Notice ***
I did receive a cancellation for the outpost on Vaughn lake for the week of July 8 – 15. This housekeeping cabin on Vaughn has direct boat access to Lac Seul and this time spot is prime for guys targeting Big walleyes. Call the lodge at 800 567 8538 for details.
Most of our groups fish on the fully guided plan using our boats, but I do have a time slot available for a group of 2-3 unguided that would like to fish with their own boat. The time frame is Aug. 11-16. The package would be American plan (all meals provided)and would include all gas, all live bait, con Fishing license, fish processing, ice, etc… $620 per person plus tax. I would also be able to include the option to use a guide for the first full day at no extra charge.
