Fishing Conditions Update
Recently I had the privilege of taking out a couple young fishermen ages of 7 and 12. We were taking part in an Eagle River Guides/Kids Day event; I as a fishing guide volunteering to share my boat, time and knowledge about fishing and the young fishermen as eager and willing learning participants. Both of them were excited to have the opportunity to spend a day on the water with a guide. I’m proud to say there were about 25 guides or fishing enthusiasts willing to donate their boats, time and knowledge to the youngsters who are the future of fishing. The day was slightly windy and partly rainy, however, that didn’t dampen either the guides’ or the youngsters’ day on the water. As the old saying goes, a day on the water fishing just can’t be beat.
Muskie:
Weeds, rocks, break lines, and mid lake humps depending on the lake you are fishing and don’t forget to bring the arsenal of baits you will be needing to cover a lot of water. Remember that the proper equipment is needed to use certain baits to make your fishing experience enjoyable.
Northern Pike:
Fishing near the weeds for pike with spinnerbaits and weedless spoons, such as Johnson Silver Minnows, should get you in a tussle with these water wolves. Jig and minnow combos fishing near weeds for walleyes will catch a few also.
Walleye:
This is the time that you should have a lot of options ready to go to for rigging, jigging, and slip bobbers with a selection of minnows, leeches, and crawlers. This should get you a fish fry.
Bass:
(Largemouth)Bass spinnerbaits (safety pin style) and crankbaits are working well. If fishing weeds, don’t forget to bring top water baits like a Scum Frog or a Zara Spook; adding this approach will add to your success. Texas and Carolina rigging plastics will also entice that fish to bite. (Smallmouth) Basic live bait rig is always a go to presentation along with plastics and crankbaits will work.
Panfish:
For Bluegills, slip bobber rigs are the way to go baited up with a good selection of live bait such as waxies, small leeches and red worms. Plastics are working under bobbers also; you just have to twitch your rod to make sure they have actions. Crappies will be looking for cover in the weeds, downed trees or around cribs and a slip bobber rigged with small minnow or plastics; work them the same way as with Bluegills. Perch are in the weeds too, and using a selection of small leeches, red worms and small minnows on slip bobbers are the ticket for them.
Also, if you’re in the area, the Tuesday evening summer sessions of the Phelps Outdoors and Colin Crawford’s Guide Service “Fishing Tips & Techniques” have begun and go through August 9th. They begin at 6pm and are held in the Phelps School, lower commons (4451 Old School Rd.). The seminars are free of charge and open to the public for all ages and skill levels. They are a great way to find out what’s biting that week and the best way to catch them.
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 PhelpsOutdoors on Facebook.
