Niel Atkinson of Stillwater, MN and Clearwater Lake had a great weekend of fishing with family near Isle Royale, catching a “cooler full.” Niel is pictured here with his sister Jennifer who reeled in this 39-inch, 30-pound lake trout. Niel said the fish was healthy and in perfect shape with no lamprey marks “We released the fish successfully as it was caught in less than 100 feet of water and was not beat up,” said Niel.
Here’s the latest from Buck’s Hardware Hank:
Walleye bite has slowed a little but people are finding fish without having to go to the deepest parts of the lakes. Twin Lakes, Elbow, Pine, Pike, Devil Track, and Devilfish are all reporting action especially in the evening. Lots of people are trolling with live bait as well as Rapalas and other Crankbaits. Most are trolling in the 12- to 18-foot range along weed edges and rock piles. Others are finding that 12-foot hole or rise where they can run their lure over with multiple passes.
Not a whole lot to be said about inland lakers. Most are deep, in the 50- to 80-foot range looking for suspended fish. Trolling spoons might put you in the action. Sag, Greenwood, Loon, and Daniels have reported a bit of luck.
Flynn Henderson, 10, from St. Paul caught this 17-inch smallmouth while out fishing with his sister and dad with Joe’s Inland Guide Service. They also took home a meal of walleye.
Finally, the big lake is still giving up some salmon. Most reports have people presenting at depths under 100 feet using Dipsy Divers and long lining it. Others are camping off rocks and jigging deep. Most are trolling in front of the rivers. For lakers you gotta go deeper. And as everyone on the planet seems to know, watermelon seems to be the color of choice, at least for the salmon. ( I’m really low currently but I should have some Apex Watermelon by the end of the week.)
Capt. Jerry Skarupa of Secret Lures says salmon are still around in the top 50-foot range on Lake Superior.
Lake trout are in scattered depths and close to the top. Water temp is around 43 degrees.
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