As we are now in August, we notice the shorter days and the cooler nights. With some rain, the lake levels are holding their own. 

Soon, summer will be over. Boating traffic will slow down a little as we progress through August, which makes fishing a little more comfortable.

Walleye fishing remains good on the Chain, with the walleyes primarily in 6 to 12 feet right off the weeds or a little deeper. The deeper, bigger lakes have somewhat the same pattern with the fish near the edge of the weeds in 12 to 14 feet of water. On these lakes, you’ll also find some deeper rock bars which have a population of walleyes on them, especially in the evenings. 

Bass fishing remains very good, with smallies hitting on the rocks. Leeches are the best bait for these fish, but you also can catch them on plastics and crank baits. Some smallies are under piers with the largemouths. Speaking of largemouths, they are hitting well in the shallower structure areas on plastics and surface baits. 

Northerns continue to hit for anglers as they are feeding in the weeds. They are daytime feeders, so action can be very good on even those bright, sunny days. Flashy baits work best and sucker minnows are the best live bait.

Muskie action has been in the good to very good range with some big fish being caught in the weeds and deeper water. Weed action is best with bucktails or with surface baits, while the deeper water anglers prefer deep-running plastics like Medussas or crankbaits. The bigger females are feeding very well now and that will continue into fall.

Panfish action is good, with crappies hitting near the weeds and even some in the lily pads. Minnows are best for these fish, but they can get very active on small plastics. Bluegills are, as usual, hitting in the weeds on worms. Perch are in the deeper weeds and are hitting very well on leeches.

The weather is great for getting out there right now, so take advantage of it.

Good luck and good fishin’.