Feels like I’m constantly retracting parts of my previous reports, just like the things I tell my wife, only this is in writing (dang!). Contrary to last week’s report, there were some Hexagenia (Mayfly) hatches on some of the flowages (especially the Turtle to the north). Must have started their two-day migration before the colder weather moved in (my excuse). More mild weather, some rain (nice, what’s the Northwoods without some more mosquitos), and a forecast moving our next 80° day into July! But enough of the complaining! Fishing has improved over last week as it seems adjustments to the cooler weather pattern have occurred. Surface temps still averaging mid-60’s, but not wavering much one way or the other, very stable.
Smallmouth Bass: Good—Very Good – Settling into summer patterns. Seems like anything “Fuzzy” has been hot either drop-shotted or fished wacky style. More along sandgrass flats and coontail edges than rock, but finding Smallies in all these areas.
Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Small plastics, thunderbugs, small leeches and worms! Reports on the beds, but others in shallow 4-8’ weeds. Not much of a popper bite, waiting for things to warm up.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Wacky worms and Ameoba rigs! Soft twitchbaits such as the Crush City Freeloaders, Yum Break’N Shads and tube jigs over 4-8’ weeds and around boathouses and docks. Swimming pre-rigged plastic worms also producing over weedy flats.
Walleye: Good-Very Good – Working deeper weeds of 12-16’ using big leeches or crawlers on 1/8 oz jigs or slip-bobbers with 3-4” redtails has put plenty of “eater” (15-19”) Walleye in the boat. Casting shallow running cranks along shorelines (Scatter Rap Minnows, Rattlin Rouges) has been picking up nice fish just before dusk!
Northern Pike: Good-Very Good – While working a live chub or sucker on a weedless 1/16-1/8 oz jig still good bet, action has picked up! Casting spinnerbaits, #3:#4 Mepps Aglia spinners and chatterbaits seems to be working again.
Musky: Fair-Good - Swimbaits over bucktails! At least that’s the report from the guy who picked up a Livingston Mustang from the shop at 7:30 am Sunday morning only to return six hours later to buy his wife one after she saw him boat a 44” Tiger Musky that morning! Still, good reports on bucktails (Wizards, Hunsys) and 6” Cranes and Shallow Raiders.
Crappie: Good – Move into tall weeds where casting small Beetle Spins, Crappie Thumpers, Charlie Bees and Road Runners as well as bladeless with Crappie Scrubs and twister tails picking up nice catches for those willing to cover some water.
Yellow Perch: Good – Bite picked up a bit. Still holding in heavy weed cover. Medium fatheads, beavertails and medium leeches are good buffet choices.
As of this writing (6/22), getting new reports of Mayfly hatches on Big Arbor Vitae, so the hatches are on the small to mid-sized lakes. Check boat landings before launching if Walleye is your goal.
Pics of the Week
Caden (5 YO) of Mequon, WI having a good time catching some Gills
Meridith Locke-Guttu from the north side of Milwaukee was lipping everything this past week, including a nice Crappie and her brother, Brendan
Jeff Springer used a 12” sucker to catch and release this 42 ½”, 38 ½# Flathead on his trip to the Wolf River last week. (Jeff, and the sucker, are from up here)
FISHING REPORTS
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Thursday 6/18/26
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
We've had some wet and cool weather to deal with lately but it's hard to complain when you need the rain as much as we do. The cool weather, as it always does, slowed the bite for the bigger fish. We are still putting some nice 'fish fry' catches together. The forecast looks promising with warmer temps and the slim chance of precipitation coming in the days ahead.
Although a lot of folks love to use minnows this time of year it seems that crawlers and leeches work the best in my boat. In fact the leeches have been beating my favorite crawlers almost every time out now. And as far as using them under a slip bobber nothing beats a leech for swimming action to lure the fish to bite.
Crappie are in their summer pattern being suspended over deeper water. Just run a small piece of plastic with a twister tail or paddle tail over them and you'll catch them.
Bluegills and sunfish are everywhere. Chunks of crawlers or wax worms will catch them all day.
Walleyes are pretty active in the deeper water off the weed edges. Jigged crawlers, leeches or ribbed-worm paddle tails with catch them. Find them deeper in the sunlight and shallow in the moonlight.
Bass are a blast right now. There are 10,000 different ways to catch them. Try them all and you'll have a ball. My favorite is throw plastic worms through the weeds for the large mouths or around the rocks for the small mouths.
Perch are very active especially on the flowages right now. Half a crawler on a 1/32 jig will put more than a few in your boat. Find green weeds or deep wood and stumps.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1.5' and 3' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. They might be full soon with all the rain we got here and to the north. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the upper 60's to lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING? Walleye 9 (low light), Northern 6, SM Bass 10, LM Bass 10, Musky ??, Perch 9, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS: Although I have not used them, the fuzzy baits seem to be all the rage right now. Kind of expensive but they are flying off the shelf. Basically they are round balls, nut shaped or wacky stick plastics with lots of plastic hair-like pieces sticking out. The idea is when they are sitting on the bottom or in the water column those hair-like appendages won't stop wiggling and draw in the fish like flies.
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
We've had some wet and cool weather to deal with lately but it's hard to complain when you need the rain as much as we do. The cool weather, as it always does, slowed the bite for the bigger fish. We are still putting some nice 'fish fry' catches together. The forecast looks promising with warmer temps and the slim chance of precipitation coming in the days ahead.
Although a lot of folks love to use minnows this time of year it seems that crawlers and leeches work the best in my boat. In fact the leeches have been beating my favorite crawlers almost every time out now. And as far as using them under a slip bobber nothing beats a leech for swimming action to lure the fish to bite.
Crappie are in their summer pattern being suspended over deeper water. Just run a small piece of plastic with a twister tail or paddle tail over them and you'll catch them.
Bluegills and sunfish are everywhere. Chunks of crawlers or wax worms will catch them all day.
Walleyes are pretty active in the deeper water off the weed edges. Jigged crawlers, leeches or ribbed-worm paddle tails with catch them. Find them deeper in the sunlight and shallow in the moonlight.
Bass are a blast right now. There are 10,000 different ways to catch them. Try them all and you'll have a ball. My favorite is throw plastic worms through the weeds for the large mouths or around the rocks for the small mouths.
Perch are very active especially on the flowages right now. Half a crawler on a 1/32 jig will put more than a few in your boat. Find green weeds or deep wood and stumps.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1.5' and 3' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. They might be full soon with all the rain we got here and to the north. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the upper 60's to lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING? Walleye 9 (low light), Northern 6, SM Bass 10, LM Bass 10, Musky ??, Perch 9, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS: Although I have not used them, the fuzzy baits seem to be all the rage right now. Kind of expensive but they are flying off the shelf. Basically they are round balls, nut shaped or wacky stick plastics with lots of plastic hair-like pieces sticking out. The idea is when they are sitting on the bottom or in the water column those hair-like appendages won't stop wiggling and draw in the fish like flies.
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
UNCLE!
Last week’s report I whined about the lack of rain, then we got it plus cooler, fall-like temps! Lake surface temps have fallen into the mid – upper 60’s, which will probably delay any Mayfly (hexagenia) hatches with not much forecasted for hot weather (80’s) until the 24th. Cool down seems to have affected some bites, moving fish out of the shallows (at least on the high-pressure days) and scattered fish until they adjust to the new “June” weather.
Bluegill: Good – Those that have committed to spawning providing good action on worms, thunderbgs and small leeches under small floats in 1-2’ of water. Small wet flys, dry flys and poppers on fly rods or fished behind clear spinning floats effective. Still some staging Gills outside spawning areas in 6-8’ taking Mini-Mites and small 1” twisters on 1/32 oz jigs.
Northern Pike: Good-Fair – A good “cool off” fish, but even these seemed to slow down with the change. Jig and chub/sucker combos best when cool offs occur. More subtle swimbaits of 3 ½-4” and slow-moving spoons working.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Bedding up on many lakes, if still there, will stay a long time with water cooling. Wacky Worms, Ameobis, Ned rigs have been favored while some action on #8 & #10 Husky Jerks. Top-water has taken a back seat with cooler temps.
Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best on slow moving plastics such as Ned rigs and Fuzzy Neds or Nuts! Crush City Hedgehods and other craw/lizard imitations. Most in 8-14’ along gravel or outside coontail edges. Still catch & release only until June 20th!
Walleye: Good-Fair – Took the strongest hit (at least in my boat), as the shallow bite of last week shut off by 6/15, ouch! Afternoons, evenings better if shallows warm up. Some report of slip-bobber action on large-XL leeches on weedy off-shore humps that top off about 10-14’. Crawlers around rock and wood in the 14-18’ range.
Yellow Perch: Fair – They were liking that hot spell! Seemed to have cooled off. Fish using thunderbugs or ½ crawlers under slip-floats among drowned wood in 8-12’
Crappie: Fair – Scattered due to recent weather. Target weeds of 8-14’, but may have to probe deeper into weeds to find willing biters using 1/16 oz jigs with Kalin Crappie Killers. Minnow (small) and floats for back up.
Musky: Fair – Best on smaller 6” twitchbaits, smaller bucktails and small jerks. Despite a few reports of fish in mid-40’s, most in mid to upper 30’s. Shallow still key.
This weekend, remember the guy that, in many cases, got you into this mess (obsession, whatever you want to call it). Thank him and take him out on the water, bait his hook, net and clean his catch and he might even look the other way when you sneak a sip of his beer (even if you’re of age). Cool weather and maybe some rain, but still, it’s fishing.
Last week’s report I whined about the lack of rain, then we got it plus cooler, fall-like temps! Lake surface temps have fallen into the mid – upper 60’s, which will probably delay any Mayfly (hexagenia) hatches with not much forecasted for hot weather (80’s) until the 24th. Cool down seems to have affected some bites, moving fish out of the shallows (at least on the high-pressure days) and scattered fish until they adjust to the new “June” weather.
Bluegill: Good – Those that have committed to spawning providing good action on worms, thunderbgs and small leeches under small floats in 1-2’ of water. Small wet flys, dry flys and poppers on fly rods or fished behind clear spinning floats effective. Still some staging Gills outside spawning areas in 6-8’ taking Mini-Mites and small 1” twisters on 1/32 oz jigs.
Northern Pike: Good-Fair – A good “cool off” fish, but even these seemed to slow down with the change. Jig and chub/sucker combos best when cool offs occur. More subtle swimbaits of 3 ½-4” and slow-moving spoons working.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Fair – Bedding up on many lakes, if still there, will stay a long time with water cooling. Wacky Worms, Ameobis, Ned rigs have been favored while some action on #8 & #10 Husky Jerks. Top-water has taken a back seat with cooler temps.
Smallmouth Bass: Good-Fair – Best on slow moving plastics such as Ned rigs and Fuzzy Neds or Nuts! Crush City Hedgehods and other craw/lizard imitations. Most in 8-14’ along gravel or outside coontail edges. Still catch & release only until June 20th!
Walleye: Good-Fair – Took the strongest hit (at least in my boat), as the shallow bite of last week shut off by 6/15, ouch! Afternoons, evenings better if shallows warm up. Some report of slip-bobber action on large-XL leeches on weedy off-shore humps that top off about 10-14’. Crawlers around rock and wood in the 14-18’ range.
Yellow Perch: Fair – They were liking that hot spell! Seemed to have cooled off. Fish using thunderbugs or ½ crawlers under slip-floats among drowned wood in 8-12’
Crappie: Fair – Scattered due to recent weather. Target weeds of 8-14’, but may have to probe deeper into weeds to find willing biters using 1/16 oz jigs with Kalin Crappie Killers. Minnow (small) and floats for back up.
Musky: Fair – Best on smaller 6” twitchbaits, smaller bucktails and small jerks. Despite a few reports of fish in mid-40’s, most in mid to upper 30’s. Shallow still key.
This weekend, remember the guy that, in many cases, got you into this mess (obsession, whatever you want to call it). Thank him and take him out on the water, bait his hook, net and clean his catch and he might even look the other way when you sneak a sip of his beer (even if you’re of age). Cool weather and maybe some rain, but still, it’s fishing.
Thursday 6/11/26
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
Not much has changed since last week's report. Fishing is still REALLY good. We did get a few storms the last couple of days, and a couple more are forecasted, which shut things down for a little bit but once the fish got over their fear of the pounding and flashes they started to feed again. I'm still a fan of dark watered lakes this year over the clear ones. Weed growth seems to be much better in the dark ones right now. I'm not sure what's holding up the weed growth on the clearer lakes. And believe me, with the shorter weeds the fish are buried in them. The livescope doesn't show many fish swimming around down there but you can see the fish come out of the weeds after your bait when you bait gets there. Leeches have been a little bit better than crawlers the past couple of days and today it was plastics (1) then leeches (2) and then crawlers (3). But of course that could change tomorrow, or this afternoon.
Crappie are done spawning pretty much everywhere. Look for them to really turn on again to feed hard after the spawn. That has already stared in the dark water and is just starting on the clear waters. I've always like plastic better than live bait for catching them but live bait is not wrong. Today it was plastics, Crappie Scrubs and 1Standard minnows.
Bluegills and Rock Bass are really hot right now. Guys on the flowages are still hammering them, and I mean hammering the gills and sunfish in less than 3' of water. And you know those gills on the flowages are big and are tough to grab with just one hand and fight like the dickens. Only 4 gills fed my wife and I for dinner. Along with those gills could come a limit of Walleye in the same water along with a pike or two. Half a crawler on a 1/32 oz jig works best.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are really heating up as well. Plastics like worm tails, paddle tails, twister tails, rib worms and the such are working well. Of course crawlers and leeches work great too but why mess with them when a plastic on a 1/16 oz jig will work as well. The small tungsten ones from Northland with the big hooks and the Neon Moon ones from VMC are my favorites. Today we also popped a bunch on a leech 4' below a bobber.
Walleyes have been active as well. Half a crawler or a leech on a 1/32 oz jig has been putting many in the boat with some in the live well. Most seem to be cruising the areas outside the weed lines looking for minnows and small perch. If you are catching small perch do move on until your sure there aren't any Walleyes in with them.
It's important to use the smallest jig you can that you can still feel on the end of your pole. Over and over again we have found that that works. It's just as important as finding green weeds and wood at this time of year.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
Federal Courts ruled all the lakes on the LDF reservation will stay open to all as usual for the foreseeable future.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 2' and 3' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 9 (low light), Northern 6, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 8, Musky ??, Perch 9, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10OUR BAIT REVIEWS:None this week
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
Not much has changed since last week's report. Fishing is still REALLY good. We did get a few storms the last couple of days, and a couple more are forecasted, which shut things down for a little bit but once the fish got over their fear of the pounding and flashes they started to feed again. I'm still a fan of dark watered lakes this year over the clear ones. Weed growth seems to be much better in the dark ones right now. I'm not sure what's holding up the weed growth on the clearer lakes. And believe me, with the shorter weeds the fish are buried in them. The livescope doesn't show many fish swimming around down there but you can see the fish come out of the weeds after your bait when you bait gets there. Leeches have been a little bit better than crawlers the past couple of days and today it was plastics (1) then leeches (2) and then crawlers (3). But of course that could change tomorrow, or this afternoon.
Crappie are done spawning pretty much everywhere. Look for them to really turn on again to feed hard after the spawn. That has already stared in the dark water and is just starting on the clear waters. I've always like plastic better than live bait for catching them but live bait is not wrong. Today it was plastics, Crappie Scrubs and 1Standard minnows.
Bluegills and Rock Bass are really hot right now. Guys on the flowages are still hammering them, and I mean hammering the gills and sunfish in less than 3' of water. And you know those gills on the flowages are big and are tough to grab with just one hand and fight like the dickens. Only 4 gills fed my wife and I for dinner. Along with those gills could come a limit of Walleye in the same water along with a pike or two. Half a crawler on a 1/32 oz jig works best.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are really heating up as well. Plastics like worm tails, paddle tails, twister tails, rib worms and the such are working well. Of course crawlers and leeches work great too but why mess with them when a plastic on a 1/16 oz jig will work as well. The small tungsten ones from Northland with the big hooks and the Neon Moon ones from VMC are my favorites. Today we also popped a bunch on a leech 4' below a bobber.
Walleyes have been active as well. Half a crawler or a leech on a 1/32 oz jig has been putting many in the boat with some in the live well. Most seem to be cruising the areas outside the weed lines looking for minnows and small perch. If you are catching small perch do move on until your sure there aren't any Walleyes in with them.
It's important to use the smallest jig you can that you can still feel on the end of your pole. Over and over again we have found that that works. It's just as important as finding green weeds and wood at this time of year.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
Federal Courts ruled all the lakes on the LDF reservation will stay open to all as usual for the foreseeable future.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 2' and 3' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 9 (low light), Northern 6, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 8, Musky ??, Perch 9, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10OUR BAIT REVIEWS:None this week
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Beautiful week of weather, could have used some more rain, but…
With the warmth, water temps climbing into mid-70’s already, pushing fish out of the late May patterns and into early summer a bit ahead of schedule. Expect bites from last week starting to shift this coming week.
Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Anglers reporting fewer bedding fish than last week. Temps speeding up the spawn. Post spawn Smallies outside spawning areas hitting suspending jerks (Husky, X-Raps) and swimming Marabou jigs. Season not open until June 20th, best to let those battlers go even then.
Walleye: Very Good-Good (and slowing) – Definite drop off by Sunday (6/7) over mid-week when shallow weed bite (4’-8’) was hot, even during sunny afternoons. Large leeches and medium redtails on weedless jigs did the trick. Water temps rising, plus the prospect of Mayflys getting ready (not yet, but could with heating lake temps) mean consider some off weed mud flats, dragging crawlers or leeches on jigs or Lindy Rigs.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Active in shallows feeding up on just about anything that moves (found Perch, Crayfish, Bluegills and even a Mudpuppy in the bellies of some I filleted and sent home with clients). When on the feed any fast-moving lure or bait will trigger hits. Mepps Aglia #3 & 4’s, chatterbaits, Boonie Baits, 4” swimbaits and Husky Jerks have been favorites.
Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Mixing in the shallow weeds with the Walleyes and Pike, grabbing what they can. Best to down size a little with medium fatheads on 1/16 oz jigs. Perch of 9-12” this week feeding up.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Shallow water as the “Green” Bass are next to bed. The trend of the year – Fuzzy Dice, Ameoba’s or Silencers pitched into the shallows and danced back have been a hit. Wacky worming, 3” swimbaits (Kietech Impacts, Crush City Mayors and Mooch Minnows) as well as, small spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Evening bit on top-water (frogs, mice, Whopper Ploppers) starting up.
Bluegill: Good – Piling up in shallows, some reports of bedding, but seems early as Gills move in after Largemouth. Thunderbugs, small leeches, Gulp Maggots and wet flys cast behind small bobbers.
Crappie: Good-Fair – While still getting caught in all the regulare post spawn areas – weeds, drowned wood – and some showing signs of missing their spawn (dark orange-colored eggs), active fish hitting small swimming plastics (Kalin Crappie Scrubs, 2” Twister) and the always edible Mini Mites.
Musky: Good-Fair – Most anglers moving and catching smaller (low to mid-30”) fish using light bucktails, 6” twitchbits, and 5-6” swimbaits in shallows of 5-10’. A few on quick-set rigged suckers, but with the water temps in mid-70’s, hard to keep lively.
With temps forecasted to hit upper 80’s by Wednesday (6/10) before dropping back into highs of 70’s, even upper 60’s, promise (will see) of rain, lake temps may settle down by the coming weekend. New moon is the 14th, my favorite.
Pics of the Week
Peter of Wisconsin Rapids with a nice Northern Pike
Mary Beth Walton of Milwaukee with a 12” Jumbo Perch
Steve Salzbrenner with a 30” Northern Pike – Caught and Released
With the warmth, water temps climbing into mid-70’s already, pushing fish out of the late May patterns and into early summer a bit ahead of schedule. Expect bites from last week starting to shift this coming week.
Smallmouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Anglers reporting fewer bedding fish than last week. Temps speeding up the spawn. Post spawn Smallies outside spawning areas hitting suspending jerks (Husky, X-Raps) and swimming Marabou jigs. Season not open until June 20th, best to let those battlers go even then.
Walleye: Very Good-Good (and slowing) – Definite drop off by Sunday (6/7) over mid-week when shallow weed bite (4’-8’) was hot, even during sunny afternoons. Large leeches and medium redtails on weedless jigs did the trick. Water temps rising, plus the prospect of Mayflys getting ready (not yet, but could with heating lake temps) mean consider some off weed mud flats, dragging crawlers or leeches on jigs or Lindy Rigs.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Active in shallows feeding up on just about anything that moves (found Perch, Crayfish, Bluegills and even a Mudpuppy in the bellies of some I filleted and sent home with clients). When on the feed any fast-moving lure or bait will trigger hits. Mepps Aglia #3 & 4’s, chatterbaits, Boonie Baits, 4” swimbaits and Husky Jerks have been favorites.
Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Mixing in the shallow weeds with the Walleyes and Pike, grabbing what they can. Best to down size a little with medium fatheads on 1/16 oz jigs. Perch of 9-12” this week feeding up.
Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Shallow water as the “Green” Bass are next to bed. The trend of the year – Fuzzy Dice, Ameoba’s or Silencers pitched into the shallows and danced back have been a hit. Wacky worming, 3” swimbaits (Kietech Impacts, Crush City Mayors and Mooch Minnows) as well as, small spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Evening bit on top-water (frogs, mice, Whopper Ploppers) starting up.
Bluegill: Good – Piling up in shallows, some reports of bedding, but seems early as Gills move in after Largemouth. Thunderbugs, small leeches, Gulp Maggots and wet flys cast behind small bobbers.
Crappie: Good-Fair – While still getting caught in all the regulare post spawn areas – weeds, drowned wood – and some showing signs of missing their spawn (dark orange-colored eggs), active fish hitting small swimming plastics (Kalin Crappie Scrubs, 2” Twister) and the always edible Mini Mites.
Musky: Good-Fair – Most anglers moving and catching smaller (low to mid-30”) fish using light bucktails, 6” twitchbits, and 5-6” swimbaits in shallows of 5-10’. A few on quick-set rigged suckers, but with the water temps in mid-70’s, hard to keep lively.
With temps forecasted to hit upper 80’s by Wednesday (6/10) before dropping back into highs of 70’s, even upper 60’s, promise (will see) of rain, lake temps may settle down by the coming weekend. New moon is the 14th, my favorite.
Pics of the Week
Peter of Wisconsin Rapids with a nice Northern Pike
Mary Beth Walton of Milwaukee with a 12” Jumbo Perch
Steve Salzbrenner with a 30” Northern Pike – Caught and Released
Dimitry and Anna were in my boat today for 7 hours fishing walleyes on a big lake. It started out slow for the first few hours but really picked up as the wind started to blow. We stayed in 7 to 10 fow most of the time. Jig and crawlers worked best for us and we did have a few fish on slip bobbers with a leech. We ended up with 5 keeper walleyes some nice perch kept 2 Northern’s and 6 small mouth bass. I still have the 9th 11th 12th and the 13th open this week. Text me 715-614-1367 thanks and great job Dimitry and wife Anna.
Thursday 6/4/26
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
Wow is this favorite time of the year. Weeds are greening, water temps are warming, outside temps are warming and just about all the species are in some stage of their spawn while most are done. There is action everywhere now. Just about all types of presentations are working when used correctly. This time of year is why our shop is so big and carries so many different types of baits, live and artificial. Everybody has their own way of doing it. And the only guy that is wrong is the one who says only his way works.
Crappie are done spawning pretty much everywhere. Look for them to really turn on again to feed hard after the spawn. Just about anything will catch them. Last night I was catching them on a 5" plastic Zoom worm. And they were slamming it.
Bluegills and Rock Bass are really hot right now. Fished a flowage a couple of days ago and hammered, I mean hammered the gills and sunfish in less than 3' of water. And you know those gills on the flowages are big and are tough to grab with just one hand. Only 4 gills fed my wife and I for dinner. Along with those gills came a limit of Walleye in the same water along with a pike or two. Half a crawler on a 1/32 oz jig was used.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are really heating up as well. Plastics like worm tails, paddle tails, twister tails, rib worms and the such are working well. Of course crawlers and leeches work great too but why mess with them when a plastic on a 1/16 oz jig will work as well. The small tungsten ones from Northland with the big hooks and the Neon Moon ones from VMC are my favorites.
Walleyes have been active as well. Half a crawler or a leech on a 1/32 oz jig has been putting many in the boat with some in the live well. Most seem to be cruising the areas outside the weed lines looking for minnows and small perch. If you are catching small perch do move on until your sure there aren't any Walleyes in with them.
It's important to use the smallest jig you can that you can still feel on the end of your pole. Over and over again we have found that that works. It's just as important as finding green weeds and wood at this time of year.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
Lots of changes to regulations this year. Check the books and double check the landing to make sure you don't do something that could really cost you. Highlights are reduced panfish limits on the flowages and the ongoing saga of not being able to fish for Musky or Walleye on the LDF reservation for non-tribal members. The courts are due to decide on this issue in the next week or so.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1' and 2' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 8, Northern 7, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 8, Musky 7, Perch 8, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS:
None this week
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
Wow is this favorite time of the year. Weeds are greening, water temps are warming, outside temps are warming and just about all the species are in some stage of their spawn while most are done. There is action everywhere now. Just about all types of presentations are working when used correctly. This time of year is why our shop is so big and carries so many different types of baits, live and artificial. Everybody has their own way of doing it. And the only guy that is wrong is the one who says only his way works.
Crappie are done spawning pretty much everywhere. Look for them to really turn on again to feed hard after the spawn. Just about anything will catch them. Last night I was catching them on a 5" plastic Zoom worm. And they were slamming it.
Bluegills and Rock Bass are really hot right now. Fished a flowage a couple of days ago and hammered, I mean hammered the gills and sunfish in less than 3' of water. And you know those gills on the flowages are big and are tough to grab with just one hand. Only 4 gills fed my wife and I for dinner. Along with those gills came a limit of Walleye in the same water along with a pike or two. Half a crawler on a 1/32 oz jig was used.
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass are really heating up as well. Plastics like worm tails, paddle tails, twister tails, rib worms and the such are working well. Of course crawlers and leeches work great too but why mess with them when a plastic on a 1/16 oz jig will work as well. The small tungsten ones from Northland with the big hooks and the Neon Moon ones from VMC are my favorites.
Walleyes have been active as well. Half a crawler or a leech on a 1/32 oz jig has been putting many in the boat with some in the live well. Most seem to be cruising the areas outside the weed lines looking for minnows and small perch. If you are catching small perch do move on until your sure there aren't any Walleyes in with them.
It's important to use the smallest jig you can that you can still feel on the end of your pole. Over and over again we have found that that works. It's just as important as finding green weeds and wood at this time of year.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
Lots of changes to regulations this year. Check the books and double check the landing to make sure you don't do something that could really cost you. Highlights are reduced panfish limits on the flowages and the ongoing saga of not being able to fish for Musky or Walleye on the LDF reservation for non-tribal members. The courts are due to decide on this issue in the next week or so.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1' and 2' below capacity and are in the middle 70's. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the lower 70's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 8, Northern 7, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 8, Musky 7, Perch 8, Crappie 8, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS:
None this week
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to jump into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
A beautiful week for fishing, a couple days of east winds shy of a perfect week. Overall, fishing was good and looking forward, no reason to think it won’t remain so with steady temps in the upper 70’s to low 80’s forecasted all week.
Smallmouth Bass: Excellent-Very Good – Many bedding fish, some already done due to warm temps. Top-water action hot on Chug Bugs, Tiny Torpedoes. Urchin style baits have been the rage as well as Senko’s, Neds, Yum Breakin Shad and Flukes. Post spawn fish hitting X-raps and Husky Jerks out over 8-12’ breaks away from spawning areas. Season does not open until the 20th of June, but Smallies best for catch and release anyway.
Walleye: Very Good-Good – As cabbage weeds starting to grow and thicken, work leeches on 1/16 – 1/8 oz jigs through 6-12’ patches. Wind blown weeds best, but even the lee sides holding fish. Minnows, crawlers (1/2 crawlers in weeds) and 3” plastic swimbaits (Kitech’s) snapped through these areas popping fish. Stomach searches finding mayfly larvae, so don’t discount mud flats in 12-16’, especially on the Flowages
Crappie: Very Good-Good – Lots of signs that bedding is over! Work tall narrow leaf cabbage outside of previous spawning areas. Mini Mites, Crappie Scrubs, Charlie Bees all good choices worked through top half of tall weed growth in 8-12’ of water.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Loving the new weed growth to set up for ambush. 4” swimbaits, Mepps #3:#4 Comet Minnows, Boonie Baits and chatterbaits. Even the “fly” guys catching some Pike on large streamers. Jig and chub or a sucker of 4-6” under a float good back up.
Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Nice Perch of 9-12” showing up where new weed growth is emerging. Mostly showing signs of feeding on dragonfly larvae (thunderbugs) and small crayfish. Use thunderbugs (if available), medium leech or 1/2 crawlers all working!
Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Next in line to move up to spawn. Largemouth feeding up on most anything that moves in the warm shallows. Wacky Worms, Flukes, tubes and 4: Power Worms fished on 1/8 oz jig heads doing the trick. Top-water action on plastic frogs, spiders and mice as well as the smaller size 60 to 75 Whopper Ploppers towards evenings the most fun!
Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Nice Gills in the 7-8 1/2” range slurping up small leeches and thunderbugs in 6-9’ weeds. Some top-water action on calmer evenings reported by fly anglers and spinning anglers using poppers and dry flys (spinning anglers using clear plastic bobbers to cast light lures.)
Musky: Good-Fair – Most on smaller bucktails, 6” twitchbaits and small 6” gliders. Smaller Musky in mid-30” size range cruising shallow inside weed edges, larger fish a bit deeper over 6-10’ weeds.
Patterns should continue to hold as a week of steady, warm weather should help weed growth and hopefully stabilize the fish still waiting to spawn. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass in that order will be in next. The leech bite has really picked up on a lot of lakes and the month of June looks like it should be a great one on the water.
Pics of the Week
Kinsley at it again with a nice Crappie off Grandpa’s dock!
Geri Koch of St. Germaine with a 23 ¼” Walleye! C&R
Tom (Dog Boy) Waite of Honey Creek, WI with a healthy 15” Largemouth – C&R
Smallmouth Bass: Excellent-Very Good – Many bedding fish, some already done due to warm temps. Top-water action hot on Chug Bugs, Tiny Torpedoes. Urchin style baits have been the rage as well as Senko’s, Neds, Yum Breakin Shad and Flukes. Post spawn fish hitting X-raps and Husky Jerks out over 8-12’ breaks away from spawning areas. Season does not open until the 20th of June, but Smallies best for catch and release anyway.
Walleye: Very Good-Good – As cabbage weeds starting to grow and thicken, work leeches on 1/16 – 1/8 oz jigs through 6-12’ patches. Wind blown weeds best, but even the lee sides holding fish. Minnows, crawlers (1/2 crawlers in weeds) and 3” plastic swimbaits (Kitech’s) snapped through these areas popping fish. Stomach searches finding mayfly larvae, so don’t discount mud flats in 12-16’, especially on the Flowages
Crappie: Very Good-Good – Lots of signs that bedding is over! Work tall narrow leaf cabbage outside of previous spawning areas. Mini Mites, Crappie Scrubs, Charlie Bees all good choices worked through top half of tall weed growth in 8-12’ of water.
Northern Pike: Very Good-Good – Loving the new weed growth to set up for ambush. 4” swimbaits, Mepps #3:#4 Comet Minnows, Boonie Baits and chatterbaits. Even the “fly” guys catching some Pike on large streamers. Jig and chub or a sucker of 4-6” under a float good back up.
Yellow Perch: Very Good-Good – Nice Perch of 9-12” showing up where new weed growth is emerging. Mostly showing signs of feeding on dragonfly larvae (thunderbugs) and small crayfish. Use thunderbugs (if available), medium leech or 1/2 crawlers all working!
Largemouth Bass: Very Good-Good – Next in line to move up to spawn. Largemouth feeding up on most anything that moves in the warm shallows. Wacky Worms, Flukes, tubes and 4: Power Worms fished on 1/8 oz jig heads doing the trick. Top-water action on plastic frogs, spiders and mice as well as the smaller size 60 to 75 Whopper Ploppers towards evenings the most fun!
Bluegill: Good-Very Good – Nice Gills in the 7-8 1/2” range slurping up small leeches and thunderbugs in 6-9’ weeds. Some top-water action on calmer evenings reported by fly anglers and spinning anglers using poppers and dry flys (spinning anglers using clear plastic bobbers to cast light lures.)
Musky: Good-Fair – Most on smaller bucktails, 6” twitchbaits and small 6” gliders. Smaller Musky in mid-30” size range cruising shallow inside weed edges, larger fish a bit deeper over 6-10’ weeds.
Patterns should continue to hold as a week of steady, warm weather should help weed growth and hopefully stabilize the fish still waiting to spawn. Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass in that order will be in next. The leech bite has really picked up on a lot of lakes and the month of June looks like it should be a great one on the water.
Pics of the Week
Kinsley at it again with a nice Crappie off Grandpa’s dock!
Geri Koch of St. Germaine with a 23 ¼” Walleye! C&R
Tom (Dog Boy) Waite of Honey Creek, WI with a healthy 15” Largemouth – C&R
Thursday 5/28/26
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
My favorite time of the year. Weeds are greening, water temps are warming, outside temps are warming and just about all the species are in some stage of their spawn. There is action everywhere now. Just about all types of presentations are working when used correctly. This time of year is why our shop is so big and carries so many different types of baits, live and artificial. Everybody has their own way of doing it. And the only guy that is wrong is the one who says only his way works.
Crappie are done spawning on the smaller lakes and are right in the middle of it on the larger ones. Pick your weapon and stay away from them with long casts as not to spook them. Live bait like crawlers and small minnows will work as well as small plastics on 1/32 oz jigs with or without a bobber. Of course there are exceptions to every rule as last night I caught some real nice crappie on a 5" blue plastic worm with a twister tail.
Bass, especially smallmouth, are just heading into their spawning areas and are chasing bait away from their beds. Half a crawler and 4" paddle tails have been working for me but anything like those will work as well. If you see a smallie on a bed you probably won't be able to move him by swimming a bait past him but cast past the bed and have the bait stop and lay in the bed which will cause the fish to pick it up and move it at which time you can set the hook.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
I'm really looking forward again to the next week or two. The fishing has been improving every day. Be flexible. Try new things and don't be afraid to step outside your box. When clients and I fish the next few days we will be throwing a plethora of baits at them. We'll switch to whatever seems to work the best.
Lots of changes to regulations this year. Check the books and double check the landing to make sure you don't do something that could really cost you. Highlights are reduced panfish limits on the flowages and the ongoing saga of not being able to fish for Musky or Walleye on the LDF reservation for non-tribal members. The courts are due to decide on this issue in the next week or so.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1' and 2' below capacity. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the low to middle 60's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 7, Northern 7, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 7, Musky 5, Perch 8, Crappie 10, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS:
We have stocked a new plastic in the store by 1Standard Fishing. These guys used to work for Big Bite and now have come out with their own line of baits with a very unique tail. I have found them to work very well. I believe crappies and gills are hitting the small plastics I've been using better than the small twister tails I've used in the past. I've used them quite a bit now and I really like them. With their thin tails that produces the action I was afraid that gills and other small fish would nip that off but that hasn't been the case. Last night I caught 30 or so gills, crappie and bass with one piece before the tail broke off. That's good enough for me.
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
------------
IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to ease into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
My favorite time of the year. Weeds are greening, water temps are warming, outside temps are warming and just about all the species are in some stage of their spawn. There is action everywhere now. Just about all types of presentations are working when used correctly. This time of year is why our shop is so big and carries so many different types of baits, live and artificial. Everybody has their own way of doing it. And the only guy that is wrong is the one who says only his way works.
Crappie are done spawning on the smaller lakes and are right in the middle of it on the larger ones. Pick your weapon and stay away from them with long casts as not to spook them. Live bait like crawlers and small minnows will work as well as small plastics on 1/32 oz jigs with or without a bobber. Of course there are exceptions to every rule as last night I caught some real nice crappie on a 5" blue plastic worm with a twister tail.
Bass, especially smallmouth, are just heading into their spawning areas and are chasing bait away from their beds. Half a crawler and 4" paddle tails have been working for me but anything like those will work as well. If you see a smallie on a bed you probably won't be able to move him by swimming a bait past him but cast past the bed and have the bait stop and lay in the bed which will cause the fish to pick it up and move it at which time you can set the hook.
Remember, a week before the fish bed down and especially a couple of weeks after will be the most fierce they are in pursuing a meal. Try to catch those times and you be in for some real action. And I promise it won't kill you if you throw some back for next time.
Colors can matter this time of year so bring as many with you as you can so as not the be afraid to switch if the bite is slow. Size can also be a determining factor and it has nothing to do with the size of the fish you are after. I've seen schools of crappie pound 1/2 oz spinnerbaits while not touching a 2" plastic. Again, be flexible and try different methods.
Find those greening weeds in the warmest water in the lake and you will find fish. North shorelines are not always the warmest. Windblown shorelines will usually have the warmest water as the wind, if blowing in the same direction for a few days, will push that surface water around.
I'm really looking forward again to the next week or two. The fishing has been improving every day. Be flexible. Try new things and don't be afraid to step outside your box. When clients and I fish the next few days we will be throwing a plethora of baits at them. We'll switch to whatever seems to work the best.
Lots of changes to regulations this year. Check the books and double check the landing to make sure you don't do something that could really cost you. Highlights are reduced panfish limits on the flowages and the ongoing saga of not being able to fish for Musky or Walleye on the LDF reservation for non-tribal members. The courts are due to decide on this issue in the next week or so.
Both the Rainbow and Willow flowages are down between 1' and 2' below capacity. That dark water is a good ticket to success especially when the sun shines. Most lake water temps are in the low to middle 60's now. That will greatly increase if we get those 80 degree temps next week.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 7, Northern 7, SM Bass 8, LM Bass 7, Musky 5, Perch 8, Crappie 10, Bluegill 10, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS:
We have stocked a new plastic in the store by 1Standard Fishing. These guys used to work for Big Bite and now have come out with their own line of baits with a very unique tail. I have found them to work very well. I believe crappies and gills are hitting the small plastics I've been using better than the small twister tails I've used in the past. I've used them quite a bit now and I really like them. With their thin tails that produces the action I was afraid that gills and other small fish would nip that off but that hasn't been the case. Last night I caught 30 or so gills, crappie and bass with one piece before the tail broke off. That's good enough for me.
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year.
I'm still taking in a bunch of guide reservations right now. I have some availability all summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
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IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of nightcrawlers are now $59. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Early season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Thursday 5am to 7pm
Friday 5am to 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 5am to 6pm
Business has been fabulous but Linda and I are ready to ease into retirement. WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS! If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin and making a living while doing it, call Jeff at 715-892-2751 or Derek Larson at 715-360-2364. We'll give you all the help you need to succeed in the beautiful northwoods of Wisconsin.
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-892-2751 cell
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
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