Fishing Report August 2012

August 24-26, 2012

Summer fishing patterns will start to diminish over the next few weeks as the shorter daylight begins to cause declines in the weed growth, and fall locations attract roaming schools of walleyes.  Both walleye and bass fishing remains consistent and water temperatures have held pretty steady.  I can see the first signs of the season change coming as the loons and waterfowl are beginning to stage in larger groups.  Fall fishing on Woman Lake is generally very good through the middle of October, at which time the weather typically impacts the fisherman more than the fish.

August 17-19, 2012

Good late summer fishing patterns have continued with the warm water and decent weather.  Main lake rock structures are holding schools of baitfish and the predators are right behind.  The smallmouth bass bite has continued to improve and the big bluegills remain active as well. 

August 4-12, 2012

The peak of the summer heat has taken a short break recently and the lake life has been delightful, as well as the fishing.  Primary late summer patterns have fallen into place with walleyes roaming the deeper mid-lake structures during the day and cruising the reef tops and edges at night.  I have been catching walleyes on crankbaits along the 13-16 foot breaks of the main lake reefs and flats during low light conditions.  I like the Rapala Tail Dancer lures (both #7 and #9) because of their action and clean running, and so do both northerns and walleyes.  I am sure Shad Raps and traditional Rapalas would work as well.  If you mark deeper fish on your depth sounder, a live bait rig or jig/minnow combo is probably your best bet.

The big bluegills are using the main lake rock structures regularly now, and this is the best time of year to find the 1 lb+ size monsters that Woman Lake produces.  When I mark them on my depth sounder, I usually try to bobber fish them near the tops of the rock piles.  If you use bigger baits (fathead minnows or larger leeches) you eliminate some of the smaller panfish from taking your hook.  You can certainly catch a nice batch of 9-10" size fish, and you have a good chance of finding a big bull or two (the ones with the Neanderthal like forehead).  Not many lakes produce bigger panfish than the lakes in the Longville area.

While fishing for big bluegills a couple days ago, I noticed some big marks on my sounder near the base of the rock pile.  I switched rigs and tried fishing the deeper edge of this mid-lake rock pile and hooked a huge smallmouth bass.  This was the nicest smally I have caught in a few years, so I had it weighed at the One Stop bait shop in Longville.  It was 6 lbs 0 oz. and was 21.25 inches in length with beautiful coloration.  I put a photo in the Catch Photos section.  Many of the larger local lakes including Little Boy, Wabedo, Boy Lake, and Long Lake have excellent smallmouth bass populations, but Woman Lake seems to produce the largest ones.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a state record smallmouth caught here some day.