As we chug our way through July things are pretty typical, the weather is nice, the pool is warm, the hot tub is hot, and the walleye fishing is an after thought for many. Summer time for many of our guests revolves around tubing, shopping and swimming and while fishing is partially on the back burner it’s still a priority for many.
Summer walleye can be a tough commodity to collect, they hide during the hot clear days, end up in places you’d never expect during windy days, only eat certain colors of bait on Wednesdays and seem to take naps anytime you’re able to go fishing.
Pictured below from L to R: Erik and Nikki Jorgensen from Hastings, MN – Rick Jorgensen from Hastings, MN with his parties biggest walleye caught for the week that won him bragging rights and a small pile of cash – Cleo Pederson from Fargo, ND and Meghan Brown from St. Cloud, MN and her Californian friend with her first northern pike.
Water temps are getting into the mid 70’s and I would still recommend trolling, pull some artificial diving style lures (shad raps, flicker shads) around at about 2 mph. Areas in the main lake are going to be the places for you, find shallow rock reefs, sand and mud flats, spend some time and cover lots of ground walleye are going to be scattered around, you’ll likely catch one here and one there, if there is a lot of sun go a little deeper, in the 14-18 foot ranger, otherwise 8-12 is going to be your target depth range and be prepared to burn some gas (we’ll gladly sell you more).
Northern Pike have really been the bright spot for the summer thus far, with walleye tending to be harder to wrangle, pike seem very willing to jump right into the boat, they have been easily caught trolling the reefs and around any weed beds you’re able to find, the cabbage back in uram bay is real thick right now, there is a monster just laying and waiting for you. Miller and Sucker Bays are also good areas for find some hungry pike, tie on some spinners and hold on.
Pictured below from L to R: Brian Pederson from Fargo, ND with a last-minute eater walleye – Charles Bower-Jernigan from Eagan, MN with a 40 inch musky – Dustin Oelmann and John Skinner from Vermillion and Sioux Falls, SD and the future of the Oelmann and Nelson fishing crews.
Musky activity is starting to pick up, there has been reports of big fish being seen on the mid lake rock structure and fish being caught back in uram bay, at this point in the musky season weeds are always a good bet for finding an active fish. This is really the time things get good if they’re going too, warm water really equals high activity with these cold-blooded beasts.
On a more serious note, we had some unintended excitement on Saturday night the 2nd. During the late evening hours we had lights and sirens heading down our driveway, a couple sheriff’s deputies and an ambulance rushed to the resort at about 11pm, a fisherman (not a guest of ours) fell into the lake right in front of our resort and nearly drowned. If it wasn’t for our guests (the Jorgensen’s) in cabin 7 that heard his yells for help and reacted fast, got to their boat and rushed out to the lake and pulled the face-down fisherman from the water he would have surely lost his life that day. Luckily it all ended well, the EMTs got him breathing again and the following day he came back to the resort and while embarrassed collected his boat and went home. I can’t imagine how it must feel knowing you saved someones life – Thank you guys so much.
Pictured below the Jorgensen’s from Hastings, MN – Rick, Maggie, Nikki, Erik, and Kevin.
Boating can be one of the most fun things to do, but also can be very dangerous, especially at night. Don’t drink and boat, always wear a life jacket, and use your boats kill-switch tether, it could save your life.
Featured image up top is of Roy Bower-Jernigan and his wife Patricia from Eagan, MN – when in doubt, have a glass of wine and play some checkers, the view isn’t all bad either.
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Ray
