Surface temps have reached the low 60’s back in the dunes and upper 50’s on the main lake and will continue to rise this week. Trout fishing has been fair in the Reservoir. Both Largemouth and smallmouth bass are still in pre-spawn mode — but getting close. The walleye are starting to bite — most have finished spawning.

Trout anglers have been successful this past week on the Reservoir trolling with Needle Fish and walleye rigs — Smile Blades, Slow Death Hooks and a night crawler pinched off with about a half- inch of crawler extending past the bend. In the Seep Lakes, Lower Hampton continues to produce big fish in the 2-5lb. range. Both bank and boat fishermen are doing well. Warden and Canal Lakes are providing more numbers with a 13-inch average for both bank and boat fishers. Bank fishermen are using Power Bait and worms on the bottom. Boat fishermen are trolling small Panther Martin spinners with a little split shot for their fish.

The Largemouth bass fishing has been consistently good over the past three weeks despite the weather — fish back in the dunes — pitching and flipping jigs, punch baits and chatter baits. Tube baits are working as well in the dunes and in the main lake. Smallmouth are becoming more active both on the Reservoir and in the Seep Lakes. Drop shot, tubes and crankbaits on the face of the dam, rocks around Goose Island, and the face of the dunes are producing quality smallmouth — fish in 10 — 15 feet depths. Long Lake is producing quality smallmouth in 12-15 feet of water. Bass fishermen are using the Timber Tiger Hot Lips Express crankbait in Long and Soda Lakes for the smallmouth.

Walleye fishing is improving. Reports indicate that the walleye have finished spawning. We have heard that the fish are back in the Dunes in 12 feet of water as well as in 30 feet at the mouth of Crab Creek — and up Lind Coulee in 15-18 feet. Most successful anglers are fishing a Slow Death rig behind an orange Smile Blade with 1 ½ oz. bottom walker.