It is hard to believe three weeks ago we still had ice on some of the lakes here in the north country. With these water temps rising fast a lot of things are happening in the water. Weeds are growing, all fish are moving, some bugs are hatching; all sorts of neat things.

Northern Pike:  Fish are being caught while jigging weeds and by throwing spinnerbaits and spoons.

Walleye: This week, I caught fish a couple of different ways, jig and minnow are still working, jig and plastic tails various types, and slip bobber rigs are all producing. I got fish on weed lines and out on the mud flats.

Panfish:  Perch are still being caught on jigs and slip bobber rigs alike. Crappies have started spawning and should be finished shortly. Bluegills are moving into the shallows and can be caught slip bobbering.   
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Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, crawfordfishing@gmail.com (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94. Remember, if you hire a guide, make sure the guide is licensed as a guide.

With this wind we’ve had the last few days, it has started to mix the water up so water temps have gone down a little, but it is helping it to start to even out. Weeds are starting to grow; they are just a little slow with the late ice out. Muskie season in the north country will open on the 26th of the month.

Northern Pike:  These fish were caught while jigging walleyes in some sparse weeds, they will get more active as the water warms and more weed growth occurs.

Walleye: This week, the fish I caught were mostly all spawned out with a few small males still cruising the shallow in search of any late spawners.  I got fish in as little as 4 feet of water to 30 feet of water, with a variety of baits from jig and minnow combos to casting perch pattern crankbaits.  As the water keeps warming up, weeds will start to become more into play; keep your eyes on your locator.

Panfish:  Perch are being caught on jigs and slip bobber rigs alike. Crappies are starting to stage closer to spawning areas on the lakes that are in the warmer temps.   
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Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, crawfordfishing@gmail.com (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94. Remember, if you hire a guide, make sure the guide is licensed as a guide.

From what I can tell at the boat landings, everyone is out enjoying the beautiful weather on the lakes.  What a difference a few days of good strong sun can make.  I was on a few different lakes in the area and found water temps ranging from 43 degrees to 58 degrees, so I caught fish all over the place.

Northern Pike:  These fish were caught while jigging walleyes in some sparse weeds, they will get more active as the water warms and more weed growth occurs.


Walleye: This is what I found around the area, some walleyes were still full of eggs, some still spewing eggs, others spawned out and the feed bag was on.  I’m thinking they will finish up spawning this week.  As the water keeps warming up, weeds will start to become more into play; keep your eyes on your locator.  Jig and minnow combo will still be the choice for a while.

Panfish:  Perch are being caught on jigs and slip bobber rigs alike. Crappies are starting to stage closer to spawning areas on the lakes that are in the warmer temps.   
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Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, crawfordfishing@gmail.com (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94. Remember, if you hire a guide, make sure the guide is licensed as a guide.

What a beautiful weekend weather wise for us in the Northwoods. Unfortunately, many of the lakes still had ice cover on them. The Eagle Chain and the river was opened for the beginning of the season with ice just coming off water temps on the surface were in the low to mid-forties but that is a far cry from what the water column is at. The only fish ready to spawn are the Perch I believe. 

Northern Pike:  They are being caught by slip bobber fisherman and people jigging walleyes it seems they will hit anything that is moving.

Walleye: This is what I found on the lakes that were ice free. These fish were still in pre-spawn sitting in the holes; a lot of small males, it seemed that they were on the sharpest breaks going down the holes.  Jig and minnow combo was the ticket for these fish.

Panfish:  Perch are being caught in the old weeds using a slip bobber combo tipped with a small crappie minnow and, a few caught with a piece of worm. Crappies are being caught in the holes mixed in with some walleyes and they are starting to stage up on the deep edge close to shallow water.
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Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, crawfordfishing@gmail.com (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94. Remember, if you hire a guide, make sure the guide is licensed as a guide.