Well it's mid-july and I would say the fishing is still good. We have had some wild weather days up on the lake the past week, but when we have gotten some stable weather the fish have been really biting.
We have continued to find fish out on the mud flats these past couple weeks. There is still bug hatches and lots of perch roaming these flats which have kept the walleyes close by. This time of year is when graphing AND willingness to change tactics is a must. Unlike a month ago when there were walleyes on about every flat...now you have to use your locator to find fish first. I have had to spend alot of time some trips looking at the locator circling the flats (tops/top edge/bottom) to determine if there is enough walleyes to stop and fish. With some flats only holding a few fish, keep graphing until you find a flat that has a good number of fish. Rigging leeches and crawlers has been good some days over these fish, and other days you go over and over them with no bites. This is the time of year that the fish will dictate what they are in the mood for. If I am marking fish and not getting them to go...I will immediately try something more aggressive. Leadcore with Rapalas, straight line with the Dives-To Raps, or spinners. Plugs have been best these past couple weeks around 2.0mph. and spinners around 1.3mph. If I am still not getting the bites I want, then I will go the other way and slow way down and get out the bobber rods. Graphing until I see a pod of fish under my boat and dropping the bobbers right on top of them.
We have just started to work in the basin trolling. There are alot of fish off the structure right now chasing the tullies and bait. Some people are having good success with this right now. The problem with basin trolling is that the fish are roaming an endless area. Fish in an area one day are totally gone the next...if you can find a good amount of fish in a basin area, the bit is awesome.
If you haven't heard...they increased the slot to 20-28". The fishing is still good, and now you can keep some of those 18-19" fish.
Spend some time looking and don't be afraid to try something different.
Until next time....we hope to see you on the water!
