Fishing Report

Here is this week's fishing report:

Great smallie action, with night bite for walleye picking up, as some windy conditions slow down musky in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

While the fishing action in the Eagle River area still remains good across the board, with some species terrific, when there's wind, patterns and the bite can change.

The smallie bite in the Eagle River area (catch and release until the opener on June 16) remains phenomenal. The smallies are starting to bed, with water temps in the 63 to 67 degree range. Target shallower bedding areas, around cover. Use baits like a Rapala and plastics. The largemouth are also hitting in the same general type of areas as the smallies, but the bite is not quite as fierce.

Walleye action in the Eagle River area is steady if not spectacular, with the night bite starting to pick up. The walleye are weed related. Use a redtail chub, or a leech in weeds, with the bigger walleye somewhat deeper.

One caveat: Anglers should recognize that with the spring mayfly hatch just beginning, there may be a slowdown in the walleye action for about a week, as the hatch becomes full-blown.

Musky action is up-and-down, with wind and fluctuating water temps necessitating some change in tactics. In windy conditions anglers should try two different areas. When there's wind pounding shorelines, musky will head in for bait fish to the shallow shoreline areas, where there's immediate access to deeper water. Musky are going after bass, crappie and bluegills in this skinny water. Work these areas inside and out with any variety of smaller baits. There are also fish being caught in deeper water off of mid-lake humps, with the musky suspending. Anglers are using baits like a 10 inch Jake, which is not a typical spring pattern. The bottom line for successful musky fishing right now is the ability to adapt to what Mother Nature throws at us. This season is a perfect example.

Lots of northern in the upper 20 inch range are being taken in and around weeds in depths up to 8 feet. Large chubs or spinner baits are working.
Crappies, a lot of them still full of eggs are providing action around broader leaf weeds in 5 to 7 feet of water. Crappie minnows or very small plastics are working.
The bluegill spawning ritual is starting. Fish shallow sandy areas around weeds and use a leaf worm.

Good numbers of perch are being caught near the bottom in weeds, locating in
5 to 10 feet of water. Crappie minnows or large fatheads are taking some good sized perch, but anglers will do a lot of sorting, as most of the perch are average or smaller.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).