The surface water temps are that’s for sure. They have dropped 10-15 degrees depending on the lake. With lower temps you will need to start changing things up as far as your bait choices; live bait, you will need to bring minnows, crawlers and plastics for panfish and walleyes; and suckers (aka sausages) for muskies, bring your banker along for these, rumor has it they are going for $10.00 or better a piece. This week I found fish in the same areas; but falling temps will get them moving                                                                                                                                                         


Northern Pike:  Getting these fish on the deep weed edges using jig and minnows, tossing a bass style spinnerbait usually chartreuse or white in color should get you hooked up.

Bass:  Largemouth Bass are still up in the shallows, so throwing crankbaits and plastics will get you “ol’bucket mouth”. Smallmouth Bass are starting to move up the rocks; some crayfish imitation baits will catch these.

Walleye: Walleyes have really spread out in the last couple of weeks, we have been catching them on jig and crawlers on the soft bottom and rocks. Watch the water temps you will need to start switching over to minnows as it starts to drop.

Panfish:  Perch are starting to show up in the rocks a lot lately; keep on using jigs tipped with red worms or plastic. Still catching some Crappies in the weeds. Bluegills are in the shallow weeds and can be caught slip bobbering tipped with plastic, waxworms, or a piece of crawler.

Muskie:  Bucktails and jerk baits over and thrown parallel to the weeds are getting fish.
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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 the rollercoaster weather that we are having, things are mixed up until cooler water temps start to show up. Water temps were down to the upper 60’s, then back up to the 70’s with some cooler weather coming the fish can start settling into their fall patterns. With some weeds starting to die, you will be looking around a little and moving to find fish.  
                                                                                                                                                        
Northern Pike:  Getting these fish on the deep weed edges using jig and minnows, tossing a bass style spinnerbait usually chartreuse or white in color should get you hooked up.

Bass:  Largemouth Bass are still up in the shallows, so throwing crankbaits and plastics will get you “ol’bucket mouth”. Smallmouth Bass are starting to move up the rocks; some crayfish imitation baits will catch these.

Walleye: Walleyes have really spread out in the last couple of weeks, we have been catching them on jig and crawlers on the soft bottom and rocks. Watch the water temps you will need to start switching over to minnows as it starts to drop.

Panfish:  Perch are starting to show up in the rocks a lot lately; keep on using jigs tipped with red worms or plastic. Still catching some Crappies in the weeds. Bluegills are in the shallow weeds and can be caught slip bobbering tipped with plastic, waxworms, or a piece of crawler.

Muskie:  Bucktails and jerk baits over and thrown parallel to the weeds are getting fish.
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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 these cooler days water temps are starting to go down. The weekends are still going to be a little busy, but the weekdays are going to be nice fishing with a little quieter background noise. Some weeds are starting to get a little slimy so pay attention, you will be doing a little moving to find fish. Crawlers and minnow are still working  well.                                                                                                                                                          
Northern Pike:  Getting these fish in the weeds using jig and minnows. Also catching a few casting shallow running crankbaits and spoons.

Bass:  Largemouth Bass are still going after plastic tossed around docks during the day. Throwing top water in shallow water around structure. Smallmouth Bass are still hanging around the rock humps, so a jig and half of a crawler or crayfish imitators will get them to bite.

Walleye: Walleyes have really spread out in the last couple of weeks, we have been catching them on jig and crawlers on the mud flats and around rock piles, jig and minnow in the weeds and plastic bait also.

Panfish:  Perch are using the deep weed edge and hard soft transitions a lot lately; keep on using jigs tipped with red worms or plastic. Still catching Crappies on a slip bobber tipped with a piece of plastic or a small minnow in the weeds. Bluegills are in the shallow weeds and can be caught slip bobbering tipped with plastic, waxworms, or a piece of crawler.

Muskie:  Tossing bucktails and glide baits over the weed tops are getting fish and casting big rubber baits over deep water are hooking up with some suspended fish.

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.