Mille Lacs Lake

Walleye fishing on Mille Lacs Lake is about to close for three weeks as fisheries managers try to revive its walleye population.

Advertisement – Content Continues Below

 

With a ban on night fishing already in place, walleye fishing on the lake effectively closes at 10:01 p.m. Thursday, and reopens at 6:01 a.m. Friday, July 28.

The closure, first announced in March, is meant to prevent walleyes from dying after being caught and released, a tendency called hooking mortality, which increases as the water warms.

Fishing on Mille Lacs for all other species, including bass, remains open. It was recently named the No. 1 lake for bass fishing in the nation by Bassmaster.
But only artificial lures are allowed, except for anglers targeting northern pike or muskies, who can use sucker minnows longer than 8 inches.

POTOMAC RIVER

 Reel Bass Adventures reports water temperatures in the mid 80s and many bass are deep in grass cover. Start with top water baits from buzz baits to grass frogs. As the sun gets high, switch to small crank baits along outer edges of grass or drift over grass flats with a small white spinner bait or vibrating jig worked just over the tops of the grass. A small soft plastic swim bait also attracts bass.

Minnow-shaped cranks

Minnow-shaped cranks or stick baits are deadly for walleyes. Suspending baits are especially effective, using a basic pause-and-pull retrieve, but they often dig a little too deep to work over the tops of the weeds. With the boat on the weed edge, make short pitches parallel to the weeds in the direction you’re moving and let the bait hit bottom. The right retrieve speed is critical, and tends to be easiest to achieve with a ¼-ounce jig head. Hard baits, plastics, and bass tactics score massive numbers and trophies from mid-summer though early fall, especially during stable-weather periods.

Allegheny River

 Smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish are all being picked up on the Allegheny River in Clarion County. Anglers report reeling in the smallmouth bass from Emlenton to East Brady, and the walleye are reportedly nestled in around the mouth of the Clarion River. The best time to fish for the channel catfish will be at night, with the East Brady pool giving off the best results.

Arkansas River Headwaters

The upper river is in excellent shape and improving by the day. Hayden Meadows is fishing very well and the river below Twin Lakes is quickly coming into shape. Visibility is very good on the upper river. We are already seeing good caddis and golden/yellow sally stonefly activity mixed with drakes through Hayden Meadows down to Granite.

Lake Maloney walleye

Lake Maloney walleye and white bass action seems to have slowed some this week as well. The walleye being caught are mainly being taken out in the middle of the lake by drifting minnows, night crawlers and leeches. Lindy rigs are a good presentation right now. Some sporadic white bass activity has been occurring at the inlet. Minnows and small spinner baits are catching most of the fish. Catfish are taking cut baits and chicken liver in deeper water. Some catfish have been caught on commercial baits.

Traverse City

Traverse City: Lake trout fishing in the East Bay was good when trolling just south of the Elk Rapids Marina. At the south end of the bay, lake trout were caught when trolling near the M-37 launch and a nice steelhead was caught when jigging. Bass fishing was hit-or-miss but a couple nice fish were taken along the south end. Some good size bass were caught on leeches and dead gobies in the Elk River. Lots of rock bass were also caught. On the West Bay, lake trout were caught when jigging south of Lee Point and trolling north of Elm Wood Marina. Lake herring were taken north of Marion Island in shallow water. Smallmouth bass were caught near Marion Island and off the breakwall at Northport.

Fort Peck Reservoir, dam area

 Fishing for lake trout has been excellent in 115 to 125 feet. Use regular spoons behind a cannon ball or a flasher and a squid or fly. Walleye fishing is hit-or-miss with the weather. The best area for walleye is around the Pines in 12 to 35 feet of water. Start in deeper water and work in. A crawler harness and crawler, pitching jigs and a minnow, or leeches are all working. Smallmouth bass fishing on the rock piles has been really good. Try slip bobbers and minnows or cast shallow-diving crankbaits for smallmouth. Northern fishing is always good. —