FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley - WEEK OF 9/8 to 9/15

Is it mid-summer or fall? Even with the leaves starting to turn and the ferns browning, these temperatures are keeping us guessing. Hopefully, we will get some more normal, declining temps after this week of mid-august like heat. The weeds are dying off quickly now, and even the deeper weeds are dropping down somewhat. Water temps are in the upper 60’s and low 70’s but they will go up this week with the heat. Definitely not ideal for Fall fishing.

Walleye action has been pretty good on the Chain, with good numbers being produced in deeper water. Most fish are in the 12 to 18' range or deeper - but some are in shallower weeds in the evenings. The best bait seems to be tuffies or walleye suckers. Try around the edges of the holes first and then move shallower if you’re not finding them in the holes. On the deeper, larger lakes the fish are in even deeper water during the daytime. Look for the deep rock bars to hold fish, but they usually move to more shallow areas in the evening.

Bass action has stayed pretty good. Smallies have moved deeper as the crayfish have died off. On some lakes they are holding in 15 – 20' of water and feeding on minnows. Look especially for deep cribs to hold some fish. Jigs and minnows work very well when they are in this pattern. Largemouth are still in the weeds and cover and are hitting just about anything that moves, including surface baits. Try a little deeper in the weeds on the clear lakes.

Northerns are hitting, as usual, on all lakes. Look for any weeds where you find panfish and you will get some action from these aggressive fish. Spinner baits, Mepps #3 or #4, or Johnson Silver Minnows in the weeds are working for them.

Musky action continues to be surprisingly good throughout the area. During the daytime try for suspended fish out over deeper water. Use deep water plastics or crankbaits to get to those deep fish. For weed fishing, use surface baits or bucktails. Both are equally effective depending on the lake.

Panfish action has been good, with the bluegills still in weeds even if the weeds are dying off. Worms will always produce for these guys, or waxies work great, too. The crappie bite has been good in the weeds, but the fish are not concentrated at all. You need to keep moving and looking. If you’re searching for Perch are look in the deeper weeds.

This week is a bonus as far as weather is concerned – we get summer temps and sunshine without the boat traffic of summer. Get out there and enjoy. Soon those lazy days on the lake will require winter clothing – at least, we hope. We’re hoping for those cold fall temps to bring us the best Musky hunting of the year.

Good luck and good fishin!

   Wisconsin Fishing Information

• Back To Top Of Page •