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The hot, humid weather has kept many anglers off the area lakes. The
anglers who did however, have reported good fishing despite the hot
weather. The best action came during early morning and evening hours.
Luckily, “cooler”, less humid weather is ahead to make for more
comfortable fishing conditions. Also, we are coming into a full moon
period soon, which can make for good fishing.
Bluegills can be caught by fishing the deep weedlines or by drifting
over deeper water with your bait suspended half way down. A 1/32 oz jig
or #8 hook dressed with a wax worm, panfish leech, giant redworm, or
leaf worm will work best. Black Ant flies tipped with a wax worm or jig
and plastic combos also work great. Monona, Delavan, Waubesa, Mendota,
Nagawicka, Pewaukee, or the Nemahbin chain are all good lakes to try for
bluegills.
Crappies were found suspended along the outside weedlines. A 1/32 oz jig
tipped with a small fathead or rosy red minnow will work best. Jig and
plastic combos such as, Dick Smith’s Panfish Grubs, Cubby Mini Mites,
tube jigs, or small twisters also work well. Nagawicka, Lower Nemahbin,
Monona, and Pewaukee have provided anglers with some crappie action.
Perch continue to be caught from Lake Mendota. Many of these fish
were on the smaller side with some nice sized fish being caught. Fish in
20 to 25 feet of water for best the best action. Jig and plastic combos
tipped with a spike, waxworm, or giant redworm will work best. Red is
the best plastic color to use for perch. Perch have also been caught
from Lake Michigan. Here small or large fathead minnows, crabtails, or
small spoons have worked best.
Largemouth bass anglers continue to do well on the area lakes. During
early morning and evening hours, fish under piers and other shallow
structures with wacky rigged soft plastic stick baits. Top water baits
have also produced, especially during dark hours. Anglers also had
success fishing the “slop” with Scum Frogs. During the day, head out to
the deeper weedlines or drop offs. Here Texas rigged Power Worms, Senkos
or “creature baits”, jig and pig combos, deep diving crankbaits, or
Carolina rigging plastics will work best. Nightcrawlers, leeches, medium
golden shiners, or chubs work best for live bait.
Walleyes were caught from Winnebago, Pine, Pike, Waubesa, Kegonsa,
North, and Nagawicka Lakes. Look for them along deeper weed lines.
Leeches, nightcrawlers, jumbo fatheads, medium golden shiners, or small
suckers were the best baits. Bait these on a jig or live bait rig for
the best results. Trolling crankbaits was also productive, especially
for the bigger walleyes.
Northern pike have been caught fishing the deeper weedlines. A jig or
lindy rig baited with a large golden shiner, chub or sucker will work
best. Trolling deep diving crankbaits can also be productive. A few of
the better lakes include Nagawicka, Pine, Okauchee, Delavan, Big Muskego
and the Nemahbin chain of lakes.
Catfish were caught from Lake Mendota and the Rock River.
Nightcrawlers, leeches, cut-up suckers, or Sonnies stinkbait all work
well for cats.
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