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.

I’VE BEEN OUT OF TOWN AND HAVE NOT BEEN IN THE BAIT SHOP THIS WEEK BUT I’LL BE BACK SATURDAY MORNING. BECAUSE I DID NOT FISH OR TALK WITH ANGLERS OR GUIDES THIS WEEK, I REACHED OUT AND RECEIVED SOME INFORMATION YESTERDAY FROM FRIENDS THAT FISH EVERY DAY AND BELIEVE WHAT THE THEY TELL ME.

THE WATER TEMPERATURE HAS GONE DOWN AND IS NOW IN THE LOW 70s. 72 degrees as of yesterday.

WALLEYE – FAIR. As of earlier this week I was told anglers are still not marking fish on mid-lake humps or deeper rock bars; Most Walleyes are being caught in the deeper end (10 to12 feet) of wood (drowned trees) and in 6 to 12 feet weed flats. Leeches with slip bobbers and fathead minnows are the bait to use. I would try jigging (8 to 10 feet down) in open pockets in vegetation with a slip bobber also. I believe the evening bite in shallower weeds and rock shorelines when they come up to feed is still your best chance to land some keepers.

PERCH – FAIR. Perch just don’t seem to be schooling up like they have in the past. Knowing this, anglers need to keep moving around in cabbage areas and larger cabbage flats to find perch. Weed edges (6 to 10 feet) and Mud flats (12 to 16) feet have been producing some fish. Regular size leeches, crappie minnow and crawlers is still the bait being used, but small plastic tipped with a piece of crawler is working too.

CRAPPIE – GOOD. Weed edges in 6 to 10 feet, and wood (drowned trees) Crappie are also being landed in 3 to 6 feet (shoreline weeds) in the evening. Crappie minnows and small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler or plastic has been working. I heard some suspended crappies are being caught (picture inserted) near deeper water (10 to 12 feet) weed edges too.

BLUEGILL – GOOD. Nothing still hasn’t changed from last few weeks; Gills are being caught everywhere on the chain in 4 to 6 feet weeds. A piece of crawler, wax worms, beaver tails are the bait to use.

SM MOUTH BASS- VERY GOOD.  OK, I heard Smallmouths were being caught in 14 to 18 feet over deep rocks. You can try that I guess, but I was told that by two anglers I really don’t know, so not sure on that location. That being said, same as last week, Smallies are being found near rock points and 4 to 6 feet shoreline weeds using small to medium plastics, 3″plastic worms rigs. Even jigs tipped with fathead minnows and crawlers are still working too. In the evening you might find a few walleyes in these locations also.

LG. MOUTH BASS – ???  I haven’t heard or was told about Lg. Mouths being caught. But I’m thinking casting around boat houses and docks during low light and/or shaded areas in the same locations and top-waters over weeds might work.

MUSKY – FAIR. Again, I did not receive any information on Muskies, but with the water temps in the low 70s, anglers should be doing better in shallow weeds and weed flats using bucktails.

NORTHERN PIKE – GOOD.  Like last week, pike fishing is still good but not many big girls are being caught. Vegetation is always the location and 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.