There is a NEW LIMIT ON WALLEYE for WISCONSIN- MICHIGAN BOUNDARY WATERS (Cisco Chain). Even though in the Wisconsin DNR 2026-2027 hook and line fishing regulation book (page 76) states the daily limit for walleye is 5 over 15 inches, their website says only 3 walleyes over 15 inches can be kept on (Mamie, West Bay & Big Lake) the Cisco Chain of lakes. But the limit of walleyes on the Chain for MICHIGAN LAKES is still 5 over 15 inches.

WE GOT SOME RELIEF FROM THOSE HOT AND HUMID DAYS, BUT THEN CAME THE SMOKE FROM THE CANADIAN & MINNESOTA FIRES. DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE ON THE CHAIN, THE SURFACE TEMPS ARE NOW IN THE MID 70s (73-75) BUT WE WILL SEE HOW LONG THAT WILL LAST.

WALLEYE – FAIR. Anglers have to work a little harder to have a GOOD instead of FAIR report. That being said, the Walleyes that are being caught are now in their summer pattern. Deeper mid-lake humps and rock bars are where anglers are finding keepers over 15 inches. Leeches and crawlers with slip bobbers are the bait that is working. Don’t forget the evening bite in shallower weeds and shorelines when they come up to feed.

PERCH – GOOD.  (Fish deeper). Perch are still being caught in weeds 6 to 10 feet, while others have been boated in 12 to 16 mud bottoms. Crawlers will still land perch, but crappie minnows have been doing better.

CRAPPIE – FAIR. Again, not much has changed from last week. Crappie bite has dropped off from June, but Anglers are still finding crappie suspended in deeper water. 10 to 12 feet and Crappie minnows and/or crawlers is the bait being use.

BLUEGILL – GOOD. This is the fish that is being caught everywhere on the chain in 4 to 6 feet weeds. A piece of crawler, wax worms, beaver tails and even leeches have been producing.

SM MOUTH – GOOD. Like last week, Some Smallies are being caught using plastics in 10 to 20 feet vegetation. And bit deeper weeds to rock areas.

Lg. BASS – GOOD.  6-inch weedless jig heads with soft plastics (worms) is working around shoreline weeds 6 to 12 feet. Also try top water baits are early in the day.

MUSKY – MUSKY EXPEND TOO MUCH ENERGY WHEN CAUGHT AND WITH THE WATER TEMPS HIGH AND IT TAKES MUCH LONGER FOR THEM TO RECOVER IN OXYGEN DEPLETED WARMER WATER. SO, LET’S GIVE THEM A BREAK AND WAIT UNTIL WATER TEMPS COOL DOWN A LITTLE MORE.  WE ALL KNOW, STARTING LATE SEPTEMBER INTO OCTOBER THE MUSKY BITE WILL BE GREAT ONCE AGAIN.

NORTHERN PIKE – FAIR. Northern bite has slowed, but some are being boated in deeper weeds. Again, find water just a few degrees cooler (inlets) and you should find Pike. ALL bait, live and artificial have been productive.

PLEASE RELEASE WALLEYES OVER 24 INCHES. THESE BIG GIRLS PRODUCE MORE EGGS AND LARGER WALLEYES IN THE FUTURE.