Fishing this past week has been rather spotty.

There are some nice catches of pan fish and a few game fish, however, the numbers of game fish have been reduced by about ½.  I have no idea if this is due to the water temperature or the 20 days of stable weather.

Bluegills are in 16 ft of water.  I have been getting some of the biggest fish of the year.  I’ve been using nightcrawlers and small leaf worms.  The best location is by Assembly Park or by the island.  The best presentation is anchoring and fishing right beneath the boat.  Some of the bluegills that we’ve been catching are 9-10 inches.

Some legal walleyes are starting to show up however, there just aren’t that many.  They can be caught on leeches or on nightcrawlers.  I’ve tried trolling crankbaits a few different times, but with only limited success.  The best depth is 18-20 ft of water.  Most of my fish have been caught by the Yacht Club or just west of the Village Supper Club.  The best presentation is either lindy rigging the fish with a ¼ oz walking sinker and a painted green hook or by split shotting a leech.

Largemouth bass can be caught using two different methods.  The first is early morning when it’s flat calm.  The fish can be caught on white buzz baits or other surface lures right around the north shore piers.  The best depth is about 6 ft of water.  The other is a live bait presentation with lindy rigged nightcrawlers in 16 ft of water.  The best location is by the island or the point by the gray condos.

Northern Pike have been almost non-existent.  I’ve been catching one here and there.  I actually caught one legal fish this week.  I’ve dragged suckers around for hours and hours with very little success.  I think the fish may be more shallow than where I’ve been fishing.  If I were to fish exclusively for them, I would be casting white spinner baits in the 8-10 ft depth range.  Look for the fish by Lake Lawn Lodge or Viewcrest and Highland Bay.

Good luck and I hope to see you on the water.  For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 608-883-2050