Hot summer temperatures have arrived, and with them the exceptional fishing the greater Wausau area has to offer. A host of species are active right now with something for everyone available! Downed timber has been a magnet for panfish as of late. Work the wood with small slip bobbers and jigs tipped with live bait; both bluegills and crappies have been present. A much overlooked crappie bite also is occurring as schools of slabs roam the deeper flats and sections of channel. Use quality electronics to mark school of fish and capitalize by working the area thoroughly with slip bobbers and minnows. Small countdown style crankbaits with shiny finishes also work well for fan casting areas and finding active fish.
A relative newcomer to the North-Central Wisconsin area, white bass are becoming plentiful and providing good action. Look for schools of whites breaking surface as they push minnows up to shore. In-line spinners, small crankbaits, and popper-style surface baits will all produce fish.
Musky activity continues to provide anglers with heart-pounding excitement. With surface temperatures well into the seventy degree range and the weed beds in full bloom, the surface bait bite has been excellent. Big muskies continue to be up shallow, in as little as only two or three feet of water, even during mid-day. Both prop style baits and walk-the-dog lures are producing action. Areas of downed timber are also holding numbers of fish and should be worked thoroughly with both surface lures and musky-sized spinnerbaits.
Bass of both species are currently active, with a good largemouth bite to be found while fishing heavy 'slop'. One of the best times for fishing the slop is during mid-day hours when the sun is at its highest. Large Texas-rigged presentations as well as weedless surface baits are producing good catches of fish. The smallmouth bass bite on top has also been very good, with areas of boulders and rocks or shallow timber adjacent to current holding plenty of smallies. During mid-day hours work these same areas with an in-line spinner or spinnerbait with some fine bronzeback action.
Anglers looking to score with the resident walleye population should begin by working the channel edges with live bait rigs or jig and minnow combinations. Areas containing structure in addition to the breaklines have been holding the most fish. Trolling has been very productive for walleyes and also taking good catches of bonus crappies with them. A variety of crankbaits will produce action and anglers should use their electronics to help determine if the fish are tight on bottom or suspended.
For those looking to try a new and exciting outdoor adventure, bow fishing at night in the Wausau area has been phenomenal. Good numbers of carp in the twenty pound range are available nightly, and larger specimens over the thirty pound mark are present as well.
Tight lines,
Joel DeBoer
