Northern pike are typically found in the back part of shallow silt covered bays. That's right - Sandy Bays. The bays can be as shallow as six inches and small enough to spit across so make sure you hunt for them in every nook or small creek mouth. They are not in every bay so if you can't see any pike move on. Successful pike fishing involves mobility at this time of the year.
Fly-fisherman should bring a good selection of Bunny Leeches and Streamers in the dark colors with black being the most consistent producer. Whistlers and Deceivers also are common producers later in the period. Traditional red and white colors work well. But don't hesitate to bring your favorite fly or color.
Spin Fisherman should concentrate on an assortment of spinners. Stand-byes like the Mepps #5 and the large Panther Martin are among the favorites. Two-inch to four-inch spoons can also be productive this time of the year. For early spring and cool days later on bring some lures that will allow a slow presentation, as the pike can be lethargic at times. Slugos or other plastic lures are perfect now.
Lake Trout are typically spread out in the early season. It is not uncommon to have a trout take your lure while working shallow pike bays. Generally, the trout will be along the south facing sand flats as well as the dark rock shore lines. Fish all inflow streams, as they tend to concentrate where the stream dumps into the lake. Casting into the shoreline with brisk retrieves is the most promising way to find the trout. Whether you are casting a fly or spinner - keep the colors bright. Bring an ample variety of colors. If the trout are striking short keep changing colors until they can resist no longer.
Fly-fishermen fortout should focus on blue and white Deceivers and red and white whistlers in size 10 to 2. Spin-fishermen should plan to throw spoons and spinners. Remember to keep the colors bright.
Northern pike start to move out of the bays. During this period we experience a more constant but slowly dropping water temperature. Submersed vegetation begins growing in some bays and along sand ridges outside of the bays. Casting a weedless fly or lure right into the vegetation will usually bring these predators out of their lair. Start your search at the nearest point outside large sandy bays. Pike tend to hang in ten to twenty feet of water during this period. However, if they aren't there be sure to check a bay or two. They tend to go in on warm, sunnydays even in late August.
Fly-fishermen: The fingerlings from spring spawn will be moving around the bay edges and any vegetation they can find. Leeches (black is usually best) and Deceivers are still productive but don't hesitate throwing some smaller sizes to imitate the fingerlings. Sink-tip lines should be used to get the flies down to the fish.
Spin-fishermen: Try adding a small twister tail to the end of a silver minnow or a weed-less rapala. Rattling lures like a buzz bait or popper work well in thick weeds. If all else fails put on a small jig and bounce it off the rock points. Be persistent in working areas where the bottom is just out of view due to water clarity or vegetation.
Lake Trout begin to school up early in this period and are usually at 40 to 60 feet suspended over day water in July. Start fishing in 30 feet of water by working your way around the perimeter of holes. Continue to move into the deeper water until the fish are located. If you locate fish suspended at a certain depth work that area as well as the nearest lake bottom at that depth. The most active trout tend to be suspended off the bottom and easily visible on the depth finders.
Fly-fishermen will need to use a full sink or shooting head line to get down to where the trout will be. Stay with the same bright color flies used earlier in the season and do a very fast retrieve.
Spin-fishermen achieve success by vertical jigging and trolling. Large spoons and plugs such as the Biggest Rapalas and Flat fish (the T-60) will produce fish. Trolling spoons, spinners and flutter spoon or jigging Buzz Bombs or 1 oz. Jigs will produce.
Northern pike fishing at this time of the year can be real exciting. The fish are fat from the summer season and are at the peak of their battling power. Generally, the fish are in ten to twenty feet of water searching out and feeding on cisco, whitefish and burbot. Working the mouths of bays instead of the back of bays will be most productive.
Fly-fishermen should cast a full sink or an intermediate sink line with a slow retrieve. Large flies consisting of big streamers and leech patterns are the way to go.
Spin-fishermen should plan to use some big crank baits and large spoons. Casting or trolling these outside the bays and over ten to twenty foot ledges produces some big fish. Remember to use a minimum of 14-pound test and HANG ON.
Lake Trout fishing can be arm wrenching at this time. Early in the period the fish are in their summer holes in eighty to one hundred feet of water. Cool fall temperatures cause the water temperatures to drop moving the trout to the spawning reefs by the end of August. When they are deep - work the holes hard! As the month progresses the trout are going to start working the ridges and underwater eskers that come to within a couple feet of the surface. When trout are in the pre-spawn they are very active. Once you locate the schooling fish - work them hard. Your reward will be unsurpassed fishing action and aching arms.
Fly-fishermen and Spin-fishermen will have success using the bright colored spring lures outlined above.
