The yellow perch are everywhere in 12-16 ft of water!

You need to sort through a lot of the small ones to catch quality fish, however you can use the small ones as bait for the bass.  The best presentation is a leaf worms or a small piece of nightcrawler.  I’ve been straight lining with a single hook and a split shot beneath the boat for the maximum success.  You could try slip bobbering with small minnows, that may actually produce some bigger fish.

Smallmouth bass fishing has been great.  It’s probably a month later than normal but the bass are finally schooled up on the deep weed points in 25-35 ft of water.  This is my favorite time to fish for both size and numbers.  I’ve been averaging at least 3 fish over 18 inches every trip out.  I have been lindy rigging small yellow perch or lindy rigging nightcrawlers.    I use a 1/8 oz walking sinker and a 24 inch leader.  Good locations are by Knollwood and by the Military Academy.

Northern Pike are off the thermocline and again cruising the shallow weedlines.  The best location is by Linn Pier or by Trinkes Bay.  Most of the success is coming off of large white spinner baits or by trolling crankbaits like the Bandit Shallow Walleye.  Fire tiger has been producing most of the success.

Rock bass and bluegills are again in the 12-14 ft depth range.  They can be caught on nightcrawlers fished on a split shot rig.  Some of the best success has been by the Military Academy and by Knollwood.  Some of the sunfish I caught last week were in excess of 10 inches.

There are some walleyes being caught at night trolling large crankbaits.  Most of the success is coming off of large Rapalas or deep diving Walleye Bandits.  Chrome/Blue or Chrome/black are the best choices.  Try for the fish in Williams Bay or Trinkes Bay.

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