Fishing Report 6-7-19

Hey gang, it looks like we're finally going to get some stable conditions. Water temps are still in the mid to high 60's on most area lakes. Weed growth is still way behind the average. Bluegills are starting on nests, especially in sandy or pea gravel areas, and baitfish schools are still hard to come by consistently.

Panfish: Suprisingly, Crappie were the real story of the last week as second stage spawners moved into the wood and reeds and did there business. Typically when bluegills are on the beds, people abandon crappie fishing for about two weeks, but anglers were really on some nice bags of keepers the last ten days. For crappie, look for them in wood that hangs over, or reaches into deeper water, and fish in the branches with slip bobbers and small jigs tipped with live bait. For bluegills, there's plenty of action fish that can be caught in the shallows right now, but if you're looking for better fish, split shot or lindy rigs with panfish leeches in 8-12 FOW will produce.

Largemouth: Spawn is over, but the post spawn is not. The bite has been a bit slow overall, (tough conditions and low tournament weights over the last 10 days). You're going to see lots of active smaller fish, but if you're catching fish consistently, stick with it and the bigger fish will come. Weeds (if you can find them) and docks are holding fish, but the bulk of the fish are in the areas where bluegills are spawning. Rocks will have some fish, and a jig and craw or skirted grub can produce if you stay mobile. There isn't much slop out there yet, but if you can find some it'll likely have some fish. Just about any presentation will work right now, but let the fish tell you how to do it/

Smallmouth: The bite has been inconsistent, but with the weather changes, patterning fish has been difficult. Look for them to be foraging on rock bars and in sand/gravel or sand/rock transitions in 4-8 and 12-15 FOW. Grubs, Skirted Grubs, Spinnerbaits, tubes and jerkbaits are solid bets, but until conditions stabilize a bit, expect some hit or miss fishing. If you can find some fish deep, jig and leech or lindy rigs with small suckers or chubs might be the answer to a tough bite. With the next batch of weather coming in, I expect things will really get going.

Walleye fishing has been absolutely hit or miss the last ten days. Some days people are tearing them up, but other days you wouldn't know there were any in the lake. Fish have been caught as shallow as 3 FOW, but the bulk of the fish seem to be holding in the transitions or drop offs in 12-15 FOW. Live bait rigs or jigs during the day, casting with jig/grub, jig/small swimbait or jig/ringworm combos has been working early and late.

Pike fishing has been an interesting mix. They have been reasonably difficult to catch when targeted, but anglers chasing bass, walleye or musky have been catching lots of them. Most of the fish have been running small, but a few mid 30's fish were caught this week. Look for weeds that have baitfish in them and then cast with lipless crankbaits, spinners or buzzbaits. Live bait, suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig with a heavy leader is your best bet. Action: 4-8 FOW, Size 10-15 FOW.

Musky has been fairly slow. Anglers are seeing lots of fish, but lazy follows have been the consistent report. Stay with it, and watch your solar lunar tables for activity windows. Consider downsizing your bait some as well. Okauchee has been slow and steady, as has Garvin, I've heard nothing on Oconomowoc. Pewaukee has been average, while Fowler and North have been the most active in the last 10 days.

Good luck out there.