Fish Report 9/18/2007 Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The wind has been switching directions and the currents have been strong on some days. This has been the challenge to finding fish. You must know the temperature and speed at your lure to find consistent action. Two days ago all the water out to 170 feet deep was 60.5 degrees top to bottom this scattered the fish. Then the wind changed and there was a sharp break at 40 feet to 48 degrees and the fishing improved up dramatically. As with all reports it was information for yesterday. If you don't have a speed and temp gauge on your downrigger you should at least have a way to check the down temperature or call another boat on the lake for that info. I extend the invitation if you fish out of Milwaukee to call my boat the Blue Max, I would be pleased to help with that information. We have had good action when applying this basic principal. NOW FOR THE REPORT...... When the wind is west, southwest or northwest look for fish very high in the water column. Most recently we had fish from 20 to 50 down in 60 to 110 feet of water. The action has been steady with all species active. Baitfish in the four and two inch size is in the stomachs of the fish. I have had action on magnum and regular size spoons. Big four-year-old Chinooks have slowed in the areas of the harbor gaps and in the river and marina. We have not fished them lately. In the 60 to 170 water all size salmon and some Browns and Lake Trout are making up our catch. The wind will be south today this will scatter the fish and lumpy boating condition will make presentation difficult. We have been fishing in Whitefish Bay and off the water filtration plant. On the calmer days run leadcore in 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 10 colors. Choose the number of colors based on the depth of water temperature for your target species. If you don't have leadcore run 150 foot leads behind the ball on your downriggers. Spoons in the magnum or regular size are my first choice. It is a continuous all day bite when you use this presentation. Rainbow Trout action has been best in the warmer water just above the break on Reaper regular Peacock Silver or Vulcan Dolphin Silver spoons presented on 2 and 3 color leadcore. Slide Divers with magnum spoons, 60 foot leads set to #1 with 95 to 120 feet of line out. 70 to 110 feet of water has been best for the two and three year old kings. Reaper Magnum Fish N Chip, Peacock and Vulcan Magnum Silver Leaf, Silver Sky spoons on the downriggers are taking Chinooks and Lake Trout. The only place you will find Reaper and Vulcan spoons is on their web site at http://www.badgertackle.com Our best bite has been at slow speed 1.7 to 2.0 mph. Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com