Fishing Report July 2013
July 26-29, 2013
The bluegill and smallmouth bass bite is going well on the deeper rock structures, and so are the walleyes. I am finding bigger walleyes holding along the mid-depth breaks and the big bluegills are sitting right on top. Surface water temperatures on Woman Lake have now leveled off in the 75-77 degree range, probably the warmest it will get. I am seeing lots of baitfish on my depth sounder over the active fishing structures and the walleyes, bass, and northern are never too far away. We are catching some larger smallmouth now in the 4-5 lb. range, still waiting to see a few of the 6+ lbs monsters this lake holds.
July 19-22, 2013
The weather has finally cooled down to normal summer levels and the boating season is in full swing. It appears the major mayfly hatches are over for the summer and the fishing is starting to pick up again. We found both eater size walleyes and big smallmouth bass on the main lake rock piles, this week, as well as a few bluegills. This pattern should continue to grow through mid-August. Look for rock piles and sunken island tops in the 9-13 foot range and work them with live bait rigs. If you have some wind with which to work, anchor your boat and drift a slip bobber rig up onto the top of the rock piles so your bait just clears the rock tops. The trophy size bluegills and trophy smallmouth bass will start to camp out in these locations over the next few weeks.
July 12-14, 2013
The hot summer weather continues and with it came the biggest mayfly hatches on Woman Lake. We had a very large hatch of the hexagenia (3" mayfly) and the fishing has slowed. We are still seeing some bigger fish in the 23-26" range, but having difficulty finding quantities of walleyes for the frying pan. I had big walleyes spitting out mouthfuls of half-digested mayflys in the landing net, so obviously they do feed on these insects during the large hatches. Water temperatures have now reached the mid 70 degree range, which is about as warm as this lake will get this summer.
July 1-7, 2013
The walleye fishing on Woman Lake has been as good as the wonderful summer weather we have enjoyed in early July. Water temperatures passed 70 degrees and the swimming season has begun. I see the water skiers, tubers, and jet skis fly by as we are hooking the biggest walleyes of the year. Hot, sunny days and very calm winds generally don't result in an active walleye bite, but that is what we have experienced here recently. Even the big mayfly hatches have not slowed down the bite. The big walleyes are prowling the 18-21 foot sand flats off of main lake reefs and points and we are readily hooking them on live bait rigs with leeches. The biggest walleye we have caught this week was 8 lbs., but we also have boated many in the 23-27 inch range as well. Very nice fish indeed, many of which were released back into the lake. I will include a few photos in the Catch Photos section of this website. Give the walleyes a try this week, you won't be disappointed. I wish you all a safe and wonderful Fourth of July holiday weekend. See you on the water.