Minocqua, Lac du Flambeau, St Germain, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters Wisconsin open water and Ice Fishing Report
Thursday 8/20/26
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
The days and nights are getting cooler and the flowages are emptying out. Fall is coming our way. The fish get real confused this time of year trying to figure out where they want to be. On the flowages the fish try to acclimate themselves with the water levels dropping. All of sudden that 15' of water the crappie were suspending in is now only 8' deep. Now they got to figure out somewhere else to go. Same for all species really. But thankfully it doesn't seem to take long. The fish are already starting to find their way towards fall and the bite has really gotten good. They haven't all found their way as one day t=one species will bite and the next its another. No free-for-all yet. But it's coming.
Overall fishing is at a 8 on a scale of 1-10. But, as usual, you have to take what the lake will give you. One day seems to be good for X fish and the next day the Y fish. You can't change it so just enjoy it!
I have still been on the flowages and deep clear lakes lately, and they have been pretty good. The deep clear lakes have been giving us some great action. Not a lot of big panfish yet but the bass have been on fire. The panfish are at least 20' deep and will turn on soon, maybe next week. The bass are just as deep along with the walleye. Crawlers and light jigs are still king. The flowages are low and that means dangerous. Be careful if you need to be told that. But the bite has been above average on the Willow and below average on the Rainbow. But the fish are really starting to stage on the humps and wood. Once those water temps cool another 10 degrees, look out.
The Rainbow and Willow flowages are down about 7' and 6' below capacity respectively and have water temps in the low 70's. Most lake water temps are in and around the middle 70's now, too.
ON A SCALE OF 1 to 10, HOW THEY HITTING?
Walleye 5 (low light), Northern 2, SM Bass 10, LM Bass 10, Musky ??, Perch 5, Crappie 7, Bluegill 8, Rock Bass 10
OUR BAIT REVIEWS:
The 1Standard plastics out fished most of the other plastics in the boat today. The Big Bite minnow was second. Both developed by the same people, oddly enough.
Enjoy your time in the northwoods and please slow down and be kind and be safe so you and others can do it again next year. And please remember those middle turning lanes are not merging lanes and don't use them as off ramps either!
I'm still taking in a few more guide reservations right now. I have a little availability left this summer. Call me on my cell at 715-892-2751 and we'll get out and definitely have some fun.
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IN-STORE & WEBSITE SPECIALS
Flats of jumbo Canadian Nightcrawlers are now $59. Count is approximately 500 worms. That's about $1.50 per dozen. Our part to make fishing more affordable.
Kalin Tungsten search baits are 50% off.
FREE Line (braid or mono) with any Reel or Reel and Rod Combo purchase
Late season specials, up to 50% off
Right now for live bait we have Wax worms, Red/White/Multi Colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads (Tuffys), Blacktails, Redtails, Muds, Walleye Suckers, and a bunch of leeches and jumbo night crawlers. Leeches will be by the dozen, 1/4, 1/2 and 1 pound. Crawlers will be by the dozen, 2 dozen, 100 count and 480 count flats ($59).
BAIT SHOP HOURS
Monday thru Friday 6am to 6pm
Saturday and Sunday 6am to 6pm
Jeff Bolander, Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guides
715-358-5130 shop
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com