Fishing has improved quite a bit over the last few weeks!

The only factor is the boat traffic which has also picked up.

Northern Pike fishing is still above average.  Most of the fish are in 30-38 ft of water.  The best approach remains lindy rigging medium suckers.  This summer more than most, you need to fish multiple spots to have success.  There are not the large schools of pike as previous years.  You are picking one here and one there.  A good trip is between 7-8 fish in a 4 hour trip.  The key is don’t get disappointed if your first few spots don’t pan out, keep moving.

Smallmouth bass are starting to school up on the deep breaks.  The best depth is 22-27 ft of water.  Look for the fish by the Military Academy, Elgin Club or over by Fontana Beach.  The best approach is either lindy rigging nightcrawlers or drop shotting 4 inch worms, green pumpkin or watermelon seed are good color choices.  This bite should be improving as late summer turns to fall.

Pan fishing remains excellent.  The best depth is 20 ft of water.  Look for the fish by Elgin Club or by Linn Pier.  Leaf worms fished on a split shot rig or a drop shot rig are very effective.

Lake Trout are again biting in the main lake basin.  Most of my success has come at first light or right before dark.  The fish I’ve been fishing for are suspended of the bottom anywhere from 50-95 ft down in 100-120 ft of water.  Nickel and blue spoons were the best color last week.

Walleyes are biting sporadically at night.  The best success has come trolling large stick baits like the Bandit Walleye minnow or large Rapalas.  Look for the fish in 15-17 ft of water, by Trinkes, Williams Bay or by Knollwood.

The best success on largemouth bass is coming while flipping piers or fishing top water lures in 8-10 ft of water.  Fishing top water has been the best bite in the early morning.  Either chug bugs or Pop-R’s are producing most of the action.  Chrome/Blue or Chrome/Black are the best colors.  Ned Rigs and Drop shotting are working in depths of 16-20 feet of water.  Green Pumpkin finesse worms.

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