FISHING WITH THE GUIDES  with George Langley  - WEEK OF 10/20 to 10/27.

We are getting a mix of our usual cool fall weather and some warm weather for this time of year. As anglers, we want this cooler weather at this time of the fall rather than nice warm weather. We have completed the process of turnover on most lakes, but you will be seeing some “muck” floating on some of the bigger lakes. We really want that drop in water temps to keep this good fall bite going. Current temps are still in the 50’s on most bodies of water, but will drop with the coming cold.

The leaves are getting sparse but the tamaracks are beautiful in the marshes. If you can catch a cold morning with sun and fog at this time of the year, it can be stunningly beautiful. Sightlines for hunters are starting to get good. We’re looking at a dip in temperatures this week and truthfully, we hope it continues.

Walleye fishing is decent at this point. The fish are in the holes, or on the edges of the holes, on the Chain. This makes them pretty easy to find and when you do, they are quite willing to feed. It amazes us every year to see the size of the fish that come off the Chain for the fall anglers. Many of these anglers are real sportsmen and release the big 'eyes for next year’s spawning efforts. Jigs and minnows have been the trick, and some anglers have gone to larger types such as sucker minnows. Most are using large fatheads. On the bigger lakes the fish are off the breaks on hard bottom areas in water from 20' to 35' or so. Again, large fathead minnows seem to be the most common bait.

Panfish action is good for perch and crappies, with the crappies pretty deep now. You'll find them off the weeds in deep water. The perch are in the deeper weeds. Fish for both with regular fatheads or crappie minnows.

Bass action has slowed and other than a few big smallies, we just haven't heard much from those anglers. If you’re looking, try some plastics in deeper weeds or structure.

Northern action is great with a lot of musky anglers reporting catches of northerns on musky baits while fishing in or near weeds. As usual, the deeper the weeds the better for these fish.

Musky action is good even with the warm weather we’ve recently had. The sucker bite has been pretty decent. The key to this week’s coming weather will be cold nights. If we get the cooler daytime temps and cold nights as predicted, we could see a nice increase in feeding. Slow moving baits work best now – jerk baits, rubber and twitch baits are doing the trick.

Provided the weather cooperates and we get the drop in temps we’re expecting, it'll be a great week to be out there!

Good luck and good fishin'!

                                         Wisconsin Fishing Information

• Back To Top Of Page •