NHS FISH REPORT
Everything you need to know to plan your FISHING TRIP to Boulder Jct.
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Fish Report
FALL: September 28 – October 5
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LAKE CONDITIONS
Fall is beginning to settle into the Northwoods.
Several weeks of cool nights have noticeably lowered surface temperatures across the region, especially on the shallower lakes. The deeper clear-water lakes are cooling more gradually, but the seasonal transition is now underway across virtually every fishery. Comfortable daytime temperatures and crisp mornings have made for ideal fishing conditions, and many species are responding with longer and more aggressive feeding periods.
While healthy green cabbage continues producing fish, don't overlook adjacent hard-bottom structure, remaining green coontail, and the first break off the weed edge. As vegetation begins to thin, baitfish are becoming more concentrated, and predator fish are taking notice.
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FISH REPORT
WHAT'S CHANGED THIS WEEK?
The biggest change isn't where the fish are—it's how aggressively they're feeding.
Cool nights and shortening daylight are signaling that summer is winding down. Fish are no longer simply reacting to heat; they're beginning to feed with purpose.
We're hearing more reports of muskies following baits farther before committing, walleyes staying active later into the morning, and bass feeding aggressively around schools of perch and young-of-the-year baitfish.
On the deep clear-water lakes like Trout and White Sand, suspended cisco continue to influence the movements of larger muskies and walleyes. Electronics remain one of your most valuable tools this time of year
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MUSKY - EXELLENT
Pattern: If you've been waiting for musky season to really get rolling, now is the time.
Cooling water temperatures are producing longer feeding windows, and fish are becoming much more active throughout the day. Healthy cabbage continues producing fish, but don't overlook nearby rock, wood, or open-water structure on cisco lakes.
Top Tactics:Double-bladed bucktails, topwater during warmer afternoons, and larger rubber or glide baits around major structure and outside weed edges.
In the Shop: Medium and large musky suckers now in stock!
WALLEYE - VERY GOOD
Pattern: Walleyes continue improving as water temperatures slowly fall. Fish are holding along outside weed edges, first breaklines, and hard-to-soft transitions during the day before moving shallower during low-light periods.
Wind-blown shorelines continue producing some of the most consistent action.
Top Tactics: Live bait rigs, jigs tipped with minnows, and shallow stickbaits during the evening bite.
PIKE - VERY GOOD
Pattern: Northern pike continue feeding aggressively as cooler water arrives. Healthy cabbage, outside weed edges, and nearby transition areas remain excellent locations.
Top Tactics: Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, spoons, swimbaits, and larger crankbaits.
PANFISH - VERY GOOD
Pattern: Panfish continue providing excellent action. Crappies are holding around deeper weed edges, brush piles, and fish cribs, while bluegills remain associated with healthy weeds and nearby wood cover.
Mixed-species lakes like Allequash continue providing dependable opportunities for families and anglers looking for steady action.
Top Tactics: Small jigs tipped with minnows, plastics, spikes, or waxworms.
In the Shop: Fathead and Crappie minnows, nightcrawlers, redworms and waxies!
Largemouth Bass - VERY GOOD
Pattern: Largemouth continue using healthy green weeds, docks, shoreline wood, and remaining lily pads. As vegetation begins to thin, expect fish to become increasingly concentrated around the best remaining cover.
Top Tactics: Chatterbaits, swim jigs, weightless plastics, frogs during warmer afternoons, and squarebill crankbaits.
Smallmouth Bass - EXCELLENT
Pattern: Smallmouth continue taking advantage of schools of young perch and baitfish. Fish are relating to rock, sand, and transition areas, with some beginning to roam more than they did during midsummer.
Top Tactics: Tube jigs, Ned rigs, jerkbaits, finesse swimbaits, and drop-shot presentations.
PRO-TIP FOR THE WEEK
Every season has a point where the fish seem to realize winter is coming. We're not there yet—but we're getting close.
The cooler nights have noticeably improved feeding activity, and fish are beginning to feed with greater consistency. The next several weeks should continue building toward some of the best fishing of the year.
The forecast calls for classic Northwoods fall weather—comfortable afternoons, cool nights, and periodic chances for rain. Those conditions should continue the gradual cooling trend and keep fish on an upward trajectory heading into October. If current weather patterns hold, expect musky and walleye fishing to improve even further over the next couple of weeks
Fish with confidence during the middle of the day.
Earlier this summer, dawn and dusk were critical. With cooler water and shorter days, fish are becoming increasingly active well beyond those traditional windows. Don't be surprised if your best bite comes between late morning and early afternoon.
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Northern Highland Sports Update
Live Bait IN STOCK
Live bait available at store.
LARGE & MEDUIM musky SUCKERS
Small musky suckers
Walleye Suckers
Redtail Chubs
Blacktail Chubs
Tuffy Fatheads
Crappie minnows
Nightcrawlers
Redworms
Waxies
Current Weather Data
Boulder Jct. Wisconsin
