June Report

Water Temp: 60's .Warm afternoons at the backs of stained coves will hit 70's in June. 

Water Clarity: Main Lake Clear to slightly stained. Carp beginning to spawn will muddy certain coves and shorelines under willow trees.

Beginning in June we find both the largemouth and smallmouth bass in the midst of their spawn.  Some big female largemouths are already in the post spawn stages.  Main-lake rocky flats hold the smallmouth nests while the backs of coves hold the largemouth beds.  Remember, ALL BASS MUST BE RELEASED UNTIL JUNE 15TH.   Largemouth and smallmouth bass are hitting soft plastics such as tubes, jigs, soft stickbaits and creaturebaits.  Hard jerkbaits, rattletraps and spinnerbaits account for good reaction strikes from the same fish. Docks and pontoons are magnets for both species in June. 

Walleyes are really prolific this year.  Last years 12 to 14 inch fish now sport lengths in the upper teens and lower 20's.  We've been finding good walleye action in 5 to 10 feet of water near stumps and rocks.  Rattletraps and fuzzy grubs tipped with a minnow are producing some nice "eyes".  Big jumbo perch are taken in the same areas also.

It's bluegill time in June and some beautiful fish are being taken now as they get ready to spawn.  Sky Valley and select dock areas in Turkey Neck are our "go-to" spots for big gills. It's hard to beat a fat cricket or a small chunk of nightcrawler under a slip bobber.  Fish in water depths any where from two to eight feet of water.

Northern pike have finished their spawn and are now dispersing throughout the lake.  Big live shiners free lined over deep submerged aquatic vegetation still remains a popular technique for these fish.

Trout are being taken here and there throughout the lake.  As June waters warm, you find some nice trout schools far back in the tail waters of the major coves where water temps remain cool.  As summer progresses, trout will make their way towards the damn were the coolest water in the lake remains.

May Report

Water Temp: 50's .Warm afternoons at the backs of stained coves will hit 60's in May. Water warms faster on northwest coves facing the southern sky.

Water Clarity: Main Lake Clear to slightly stained.

Look for both largemouth and smallmouth bass to be staging on main-lake and secondary points in April and as water warms in May, both species will make their spawning moves.  Smallmouths will spawn first on main lake rocky flats, while largemouths will spawn in up-lake coves and pockets in May and June.

The LOU guides are dragging a 1/4 ounce spider jig in sparkle smoke flake down the steeper drops and ledges with good success.  Also, Mizmo tubes in Pumpkin will garner strikes from pre-spawn bass on theses drops. Make sure you drag the bait very slowly imitating an early season crawfish.  

As waters warm toward the middle of the month, largemouths can be taken on Big Mouth spinnerbaits (white), rattletraps(red) and hard jerkbaits (Ghost Minnow) at the backs of stained coves.  Pike and an occasional walleye will be icing on the cake in these areas.

Find an underwater spring with warmer water and you may load the boat. The ambient water temps near these springs will be one or two degrees warmer then the surrounding water temps.  Reminder: All bass must be released until June 15th.

Walleyes are being taken near rocky shorelines and secondary points. North Glade Cove is a good place to start as is Penn Points North and South. Jerkbaits, rattletraps and motor oil grubs on a 1/8 head are taking walleye in 2 to 8 feet of water

Northern Pike are spawning at the backs of Green Glade, Turkey Neck, Beckman's, Hoop Pole and McHenry Coves.  Live line a big shiner under a float in these backwaters and pike should cooperate.

Look for the crappies to make their move shallow in May.  Concentrate on lay-downs and docks toward the backs of shallow coves.  Any sunken brush piles that you encounter may have crappies suspended over them.

Some brown and rainbow trout in McHenry Cove, Penn Cove and near the State Park.  Spoons, in-line spinners and small jerkbaits will keep you busy.