FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley - WEEK OF 9/7 TO 9/14

Fall is here in the Northwoods, and you can feel it in the cooler mornings and shorter days. Water temperatures have dropped into the low to mid 60s on many lakes, and weeds are beginning to thin out, especially on the darker water lakes. Once those temperatures get down into the upper 50’s and low 60’s we’ll see an uptick in the action out on the water. While we’re going to see some warmer weather this week, which will slow that downward trend, we’ll get there eventually

Walleye fishing has been just ok on the Eagle River Chain. Most fish are now deeper, with 15 feet a good average depth to start at, and work down from there. Jigs tipped with half crawlers or large fatheads are working best, and as the month goes on, those deeper holes in each lake will become more important. On the deeper, clearer lakes, fish have left the summer weed edges and are setting up along drop-offs or even out over open water near structure.

Bass action is slowing a bit as water cools. Largemouth are dropping into deeper weeds and along edges, and minnow baits or plastics are the best choice. Some topwater is still working in the evenings, but it won’t last much longer. Smallmouth are feeding heavily on minnows now, with crayfish activity fading. Look for them on rock, gravel, and wood in 10 to 30 feet, but don’t overlook late-season smallies in the weeds chasing baitfish.

Panfish action is still very good. Bluegills are deeper but still holding in weeds, and worms under bobbers continue to work. Crappies are in that mix of shallow and deeper water, with some in 5 to 8 feet of weeds and others sliding out with the walleyes in 12 to 15 feet. Crappie minnows under slip bobbers are the best bet. Perch are moving deeper and often mix right in with walleye schools on mud flats and drop-offs.

Northern remain consistent, as always, using weed edges to ambush panfish and minnows. Spinners in sizes 3 and 4 are the best all-around bait for these fish right now, covering water and drawing strikes.

Musky anglers are entering their favorite time of the season. As fish bulk up for winter, they are more active at the deeper weed edges. Larger, slower-moving baits are best—jerk baits, twitch baits and soon,  live suckers on quick-set rigs. The action will last right into freeze-up but now is one of the best times to move a trophy fish. We saw some big fish caught in the last week and we’re hoping that pattern holds, as it bodes well for the rest of the fall.

We’ve got some nice weather later this week…take advantage. It won’t be long until we’re talking about real cold, leading into ice. Let’s hope for a great fall, in the mean time.

 Good luck and good fishin’!

                  
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