Wisconsin Fishing Report - July 8th, 2009

Weekly fishing report

Posted: July 8, 2009

AREA LAKES

Many largemouth bass were caught around piers and other shallow water structure.

Casting pre-rigged worms, wacky worms, tubes, spinner baits, shallow-running crank baits or nightcrawlers around these areas will work well. But if you want big bass, head out to deeper water near deeper weed lines, humps or points. Texas- or Carolina-rigged plastics, swim baits, drop-shot rigs, jig-and-craw combos, deep-diving crank baits and large golden shiners or medium suckers will entice big bass. Top-water action was good early and late in the day during calm conditions.

Smallmouth bass can be caught around rock bars or points. Leeches, nightcrawlers, small suckers or chubs, skirted grubs, tubes, drop-shot rigs and crank baits have worked well for smallies. Good lakes to try are Mendota, Pewaukee, Geneva, Pine, Oconomowoc and Lac La Belle.

The best bluegill fishing was along weed lines in 8 to 17 feet of water. A few 'gills were finishing spawning and some were just starting to suspend over deeper water. A jig-and-plastic combo or black ant fly tipped with a waxworm or spike works dynamite for gills. A small jig or hook dressed with a leafworm, giant redworm, panfish leech, hellgrammite, or wax worm will also work well. Vertical jigging or a slip bobber rig is the best way to present these baits.

Crappies were found suspended along deeper weed lines or over deeper water. A small fathead minnow baited on a hook or 1/32-ounce jig will work best for crappies. Jig and plastic combos will also work well.

Perch action was good on Lake Monona. Fish the weed lines in 12 to 16 feet with your bait tight to the bottom. A jig-and-plastic combo or ratfinkee jig baited with a hellgrammite, spike or giant redworm will work best.

Northern pike action was great on most lakes. Bigger pike will be found in the deeper weed lines. A medium or large sucker, chub or shiner are the best baits. A 2/0 circle hook on a 40-pound fluorocarbon leader dragged along the bottom with a slip sinker is the best way to present these baits. Many smaller, more aggressive pike can be caught fishing around weed flats with spinner baits, buzz baits, chatter baits, and crank baits.

Walleyes were caught around deeper weeds or structure. You may have to fish as deep as 28 feet to find them. A leech, nightcrawler, jumbo fathead, small sucker or chub baited on a jig or live-bait rig has worked well. Trolling crank baits has also produced many fish.

Musky anglers have done well fishing on Pewaukee, Okauchee and Oconomowoc. Trolling crank baits along breaks or over deep water has produced the most fish. Casting crank baits, spinner baits, bucktails or swim baits around weed edges or breaks will also work well.

Catfish were being caught on the Rock River, Lake Koshkonong and Lake Mendota. Cut up suckers or chubs, nightcrawlers and stink bait work best.

Becky Smith

LAKE MICHIGAN, MILWAUKEE

Trollers in the Milwaukee area have been treated to more consistent action this week. Activity for steelhead, chinook salmon and coho salmon is in the 55- to 100-foot depths. Spoons run from 25 to 55 feet down have been the most productive. A large variety of colors have been producing, but glow patterns have been doing very well in the early morning and evenings. Most of the action has been off the north shore, but the waters off Bender Park also have been very productive.

Shore fishing has become difficult again. There is plenty of bait in the harbor and water temperatures are good, but the brown trout aren't cooperating. Soaking a live alewife near the bottom is still the best bet. Spoons or jigs worked near the bottom are also a possibility.

Perch fishing has improved. The Oak Creek power plant and the "boils" are the two most consistent spots. Small minnows fished on a split-shot rig are working very well along with jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow-imitating plastic bait. The rocks off McKinley are also giving up a few perch as is Cupertino pier, but action there has been spotty.

Marc Wisniewski