South Shore Report
Fisherman’s Road
Heavy perch fishing is underway. Key areas include the reef just south of the launch, about 1.5 mile due east of the launch, and the reef between the launch and Columbia park. Expect heavy boat traffic especially on the weekend. Very still presentations working best, with your choice of meat. Bonus walleye are in the area, mainly in the 12-15” range.
Lakeside West
Just off the end of the last red buoy (from the channel of the FDL River), perch have been taken all week. The bite seems to be an early day and evening bite on slips with crawlers. Some good sized Perch reported.
Third reef
Plenty of sheep heads and more sheep heads. If you are willing to wade through the sheep, perch are being picked up on slips and dead sticks. Walleye are present and prefer leeches under slip bobbers.
Mud Bite
A very strong mud bite is taking place north of 3rd reef and also south of Fisherman’s road. Personally limited out within 50 minutes on Saturday, with no fish under 15”. Color and speed are key. Purple hued shad baits run at 1.6-2.0 mph. Fish have been deeper this week, so 35-45 feet behind the boards has worked well in 12’-14’ of water, allow more line for deeper depths. Shad rap #7’s producing bigger fish. Crawler harness also working well at about 1.0-1.2 miles per hour. Yellow or purple hatchet blades producing best.
The Willows
This area is active with perch fisherman. Have not heard any results from the area, but the boats were stacked in good on Saturday.
