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
FISHING REPORTS
Oneida County
moon phase
Sun times displayed in .
Displaying 1 to 10 of 2,916 posts
Tour The St Croix Rod Factory
MORE
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.
------------
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
Fished in the Vilas/Oneida county area from May 20-25. Chilly start the first few days but ended trending warmer with water temps and fishing! Water temps were consistently from 56-61 degrees(warmer toward Memorial Day). My son caught a 32" muskie on his second cast fishing for SMB. Braggin' rights and smack talking only 10 minutes into the trip!!!
-Bass were off of breaks on the shoreline in either rock or wood. Deeper sloping banks seem to be better. Ned rigs, wacky works, jerkbaits worked.
-Crappie were starting to spawn on the lakes we fished. 58-60 degrees. Bobber and jig/minnow. Straight plastics didn't get the looks they normally get for some reason. 2' - 6' FOW was best
-Pike. Didn't focus on them, but wherever you find new/old weeds, snot rockets were in it! Jerkbaits/paddle tails were good.
-Bonus walleye on a ned rig.
-Rock bass galore! Caught one at 12" - huge!. Those would bite basically anything.
As usual, the trip is always awesome(8 years and counting with my son)! We keep it simple and enjoy the local eateries and businesses when we are up north and like supporting them!
The Northwoods remains undefeated!!!
-Bass were off of breaks on the shoreline in either rock or wood. Deeper sloping banks seem to be better. Ned rigs, wacky works, jerkbaits worked.
-Crappie were starting to spawn on the lakes we fished. 58-60 degrees. Bobber and jig/minnow. Straight plastics didn't get the looks they normally get for some reason. 2' - 6' FOW was best
-Pike. Didn't focus on them, but wherever you find new/old weeds, snot rockets were in it! Jerkbaits/paddle tails were good.
-Bonus walleye on a ned rig.
-Rock bass galore! Caught one at 12" - huge!. Those would bite basically anything.
As usual, the trip is always awesome(8 years and counting with my son)! We keep it simple and enjoy the local eateries and businesses when we are up north and like supporting them!
The Northwoods remains undefeated!!!
What a great Memorial Day Weekend!
Lots of sun, warmth and good fishing! Anglers saw plenty of opportunities to pursue and catch their favorite fish. Weather made fishing comfortable for a change, HWY 51 was open, life in the Northwoods is Good!
Rock Bass: Off the Charts! – When three families of visitors to the Northwoods from the Kentucky (Louisville) area, with seven kids ages 3 to 8 can catch and release over 250 Rock Bass in a day (in shifts) of fishing…enough said!
Crappie: Very Good – And not even peaked! Crappies moving up to the shallows in preparation to spawn. Crappies taking small plastics such as Bobby Garland Slab Slayers and Itty Bitty’s as well as Mini Mites or 2” twister tails. Most fish being found in 2-3’ of water as they look for their perfect spawning grounds.
Walleye: Very Good – Despite some hic-ups with high skies, Walleye activity early and late in the day, as well as on dark water bodies of water was very good. Working 3-4” swimbaits in depths as little as 3’ to as deep as 9-10’. Keying on any cover available that held bait fish that were moving into warming shallows, Walleye were also actively hitting jig and minnow or leech combos and shallow running minnow stickbaits such as Storm Jr. Thundersticks and floating Rapalas.
Northern Pike: Very Good – Feeding heavily on small Yellow Perch, so matching the hatch (green, yellow, touch of orange) all good choices on the artificial spectrum, as well as jigging 4” chubs or suckers on weedless jigs and light wire leaders. Any sign of green weed growth has the chance for a good Pike hang out in these shallow waters.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Bass cruising shallows, feeding heavily on minnows and insects. Shallow running square billed cranks, 3” swimbaits and all varieties of soft plastics. Nice reports of Largemouth to 20” this weekend.
Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Small leeches, thunder bugs and small minnows in weedy pockets of 4-7’. Wood in 7-10’ also producing nice Perch.
Musky: Fair-Good – Most reports from anglers were of smaller fish, though some 42-44” fish were reported. Small bucktails and 6” twitchbaits though some anglers caught Skies on small 7-8” live suckers.
Smallmouth Bass: Fair-Good – Finding them was the key. Staging out from hard shallow bottom spawning areas. Swimming black or brown Marabou jigs or working twitchbaits out over 8-12’ areas. Should see a major move into shallows as water temps are cracking into the low 60’s and should hold.
Bluegill: Fair-Good – Mostly due to lack of reports or lack of anglers targeting. Thunder bugs, small leeches, leaf worms all good. Should see a big upswing in action moving forward.
With temps in mid-80’s to mid-70’s all this next week, expect spawning activity for Crappies and Smallmouth Bass to jump! The warm weather will bring bug hatches and spur on some good weed growth to get things really rocking this week. Water temps that have been hovering in the mid to upper 50’s will be heating up into the mid to upper 60’s – great week of fishing opportunities ahead.
Pics of the Week
4-year-old Molly proudly displays her big catch
4-year-old David of Minocqua with a nice Crappie
Joe and Ben Piernick of Oregon, WI with a nice catch of Walleye
Lots of sun, warmth and good fishing! Anglers saw plenty of opportunities to pursue and catch their favorite fish. Weather made fishing comfortable for a change, HWY 51 was open, life in the Northwoods is Good!
Rock Bass: Off the Charts! – When three families of visitors to the Northwoods from the Kentucky (Louisville) area, with seven kids ages 3 to 8 can catch and release over 250 Rock Bass in a day (in shifts) of fishing…enough said!
Crappie: Very Good – And not even peaked! Crappies moving up to the shallows in preparation to spawn. Crappies taking small plastics such as Bobby Garland Slab Slayers and Itty Bitty’s as well as Mini Mites or 2” twister tails. Most fish being found in 2-3’ of water as they look for their perfect spawning grounds.
Walleye: Very Good – Despite some hic-ups with high skies, Walleye activity early and late in the day, as well as on dark water bodies of water was very good. Working 3-4” swimbaits in depths as little as 3’ to as deep as 9-10’. Keying on any cover available that held bait fish that were moving into warming shallows, Walleye were also actively hitting jig and minnow or leech combos and shallow running minnow stickbaits such as Storm Jr. Thundersticks and floating Rapalas.
Northern Pike: Very Good – Feeding heavily on small Yellow Perch, so matching the hatch (green, yellow, touch of orange) all good choices on the artificial spectrum, as well as jigging 4” chubs or suckers on weedless jigs and light wire leaders. Any sign of green weed growth has the chance for a good Pike hang out in these shallow waters.
Largemouth Bass: Good-Very Good – Bass cruising shallows, feeding heavily on minnows and insects. Shallow running square billed cranks, 3” swimbaits and all varieties of soft plastics. Nice reports of Largemouth to 20” this weekend.
Yellow Perch: Good-Very Good – Small leeches, thunder bugs and small minnows in weedy pockets of 4-7’. Wood in 7-10’ also producing nice Perch.
Musky: Fair-Good – Most reports from anglers were of smaller fish, though some 42-44” fish were reported. Small bucktails and 6” twitchbaits though some anglers caught Skies on small 7-8” live suckers.
Smallmouth Bass: Fair-Good – Finding them was the key. Staging out from hard shallow bottom spawning areas. Swimming black or brown Marabou jigs or working twitchbaits out over 8-12’ areas. Should see a major move into shallows as water temps are cracking into the low 60’s and should hold.
Bluegill: Fair-Good – Mostly due to lack of reports or lack of anglers targeting. Thunder bugs, small leeches, leaf worms all good. Should see a big upswing in action moving forward.
With temps in mid-80’s to mid-70’s all this next week, expect spawning activity for Crappies and Smallmouth Bass to jump! The warm weather will bring bug hatches and spur on some good weed growth to get things really rocking this week. Water temps that have been hovering in the mid to upper 50’s will be heating up into the mid to upper 60’s – great week of fishing opportunities ahead.
Pics of the Week
4-year-old Molly proudly displays her big catch
4-year-old David of Minocqua with a nice Crappie
Joe and Ben Piernick of Oregon, WI with a nice catch of Walleye
Partly Sunny 75°
Water: 63°
Weed Beds
Took the family out crappie fishing the past two days and have caught a 100 of them. All on plastics under a slip bobbers. Nice to see all different sizes of fish. Fish where in 6’ of water some shallower. Some had eggs in them all females were released. Kept another few for dinner and enjoyed watching the kids catch fish.
Displaying 1 to 10 of 2,916 posts
