FISHING REPORTS:
Well the 2021 Opener is in the books. Mixed reports for sure. As far as the shop went we were even busier this year than last year but as far as lake traffic, most told me than is was way less than last year. I chalk this up to pent up demand. Last year folks were getting out to avoid the you know what and this year we had ice out quite a bit earlier than last year. My clients cancelled for the weekend so I'm going by what others have told me.
The catch seemed to be very average at best. The Walleye spawn is not as far along as we had thought. Blame all the cold temps and lack of sun over the past few weeks for that. But surprisingly the weed growth isn't too bad. I got out a few times the past week and each lake we were on had a healthy amount of greening weeds. We might just have a normal year for a change! I'm glad the weeds aren't too developed as this will keep the Walleye post spawn bite going longer into May. A few of my river and flowage guys said they did very well in the current and current fed bays.
Poor crappie. They are still waiting for some sun to make their move. With the right electronics you can see them schooled up all over the place but none seem to be in the attack mode. But that could change any day now, any minute even. So you gotta keep trying and stay on them until they are ready. The guys that are catching a few are fishing the warmest parts of the day close to their spawning areas in the warmest water they can find.
Not a lot of great catches of northern reported. But again, we need sun and warmer water to get the rest of the fish going so the northern will turn on and chase them. Then the northern will become the normal pain in the butt we all love them for.
Perch have no MO right now. You will catch them along side of everything else. Look for wood and greening weeds in where they may be chasing minnows or bugs and throw minnows and bugs at them.
Largemouth and smallmouth bass are all over the charts right now as well. Put bluegill into that same category. We have some warmer temps and sunnier days in the forecast. If we actually get those you'll see the fishing take off, all species. My suggestion? Get out there so you're ready when they are!
No big DNR changes this year. The Minocqua chain is still catch and release on walleyes. But remember, on the Minocqua chain, you can keep 5 of any size largemouth bass and 5 of any size northern pike and in my opinion they are much better table fare than a walleye any day.
Good luck and be safe. Our store hours are M-T-W-Th 6am to 7pm, Fr 6am to 10pm, Sat 6am to 7pm and Sunday (MOTHER'S DAY) 6am to 5pm.
Our minnows all come direct from trappers in central Wisconsin. Right now we just have crappie minnows, large fatheads, XL fatheads (Tuffys), Dace, Redtail chubs, Blacktail chubs, River Shiners, Mud Minnows, Northern minnows and Walleye Suckers. Remember your first scoop of crappie minnows is always only $2 with a purchase of anything else in the store. We have plenty of jumbo night crawlers from Canada, along with Jumbo panfish worms and wax worms. As always, crawlers are available in 1dz, 2dz, 100ct and by the flat (500 ct) in dirt or bedding. And we sell waxies in bulk tubs, too.
Jeff Bolander, owner of Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guide Post at www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com
Reports at www.UpNorthFishing.com
Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DeweyCatchemAndHow
Check out my Up North fishing and resort web sites at www.UpNorth.info
Jeff Bolander <[email protected]>
- Friday, 5/7/2021
