Hey everyone, the bite is on!Since the opener, we have seen great results for “slot” fish and for “overs”… Just a reminder, the slot is 18 inches to 28 inches must be returned to the lake unharmed (there isn’t a minimum, but please do consider the future of the lake and not keep them too small!) with one per angler over 28 inches.Your limit is four walleyes per angler!The ice went out on April 5th this year, so with the early spring conditions we are effectively fishing mid June areas and presentations.The water temp is hovering around 60 degrees.The good thing about this is we are catching fish all over the lake!Good numbers of slot fish are being caught and kept by many of the anglers I see and talk to.
The first week plus of the season we saw some unusually calm weather.This has allowed anglers to run all over the lake and we are seeing all types of structures catching fish, the mud, deep rocks / gravel, sand transition areas, and shallow rock piles.
During the day we are catching fish on the second and third tier structures from shore right in front of Hunter’s Point Resort.Most of these structures are deep rock / gravel bars like Dawson’s, Two Mile Reef and the many other of the local humps that are out about one mile to two miles off shore.For the most part, rigs with snells up to 8 – 10 feet have been the ticket!Leeches are still the preference, but some reports of crawlers and minnows are being reported.The best depths have been varying some, but I will say 18 -26 feet on the deep rocks / gravel areas.The rule of thumb when fishing these structures is to find the tops of the reefs, then work circles deeper til you find the fish.They are roaming around these structures, so look for them and find them.
The mud flats are also producing fish, the Boot, Fishers, 9 Mile and Center are the some of the flats we caught fish on this week.All flats seem to have good numbers of fish on them already.Look on both the top and bottom edges and fish the fish you see on your graph.Again, rigs with long snells or bobbers will produce the bites!
The north sand bite is available still and the southern gravel bar bites are picking too!Fish deeper on the gravel like Sloppy Joes and 4 Mile to get some fish.
I haven’t trolled long lines or lead core as of yet, but I have heard of a few people trying it with limited success.This option should start producing very soon.Spinners on the gravel as well as rigs are producing some fish.
The night time bite has also been very good.Fish the same structures as I talked about earlier but concentrate on the tops of the reefs.Also, a bobber presentation is best!There has also been a shallow rock bobber bite going on.Lakeside, Flamingo, Hunters Point and other shallow rocks have been producing consistently in 8 to 10 foot water.
We are experiencing an early bug hatch this year.They are the small fish flies.This has not deterred the bite at all, but they can be a nuisance on calm days.To sum up this report, the bite is going quite well.Fish your favorite presentation and you should get your fish!
