NHS FISH REPORT

Everything you need to know to plan your FISHING TRIP to Boulder Jct.

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Fish Report

Summer: July 7th – July 13th

LAKE CONDITIONS

July has arrived, and Northwoods lakes have settled into dependable summer patterns. Water temperatures remain in the low to mid-70s, with healthy green cabbage now becoming the dominant habitat across much of the region.

The biggest factor this week continues to be matching your approach to the type of lake you're fishing. Weed-rich lakes are producing consistent action around expanding cabbage beds, while the deep, clear-water lakes continue rewarding anglers who focus on outside weed edges, rock transitions, and low-light feeding windows. On darker-water systems, fish are remaining active later into the day thanks to reduced light penetration.

FISH REPORT

THE RECENT SCOOP

The biggest difference over the past seven days has been consistency. Summer patterns are no longer developing—they're established.

We're also hearing more reports of baitfish becoming concentrated along healthy weed edges. As that forage gathers, predators are becoming easier to pattern. Anglers who are covering water until they find fresh green weeds are consistently out-fishing those staying on the first spot they stop.

One reminder for anglers heading to the clear-water lakes like Trout and White Sand: not every fish is relating to weeds. Suspended cisco schools continue to influence both musky and walleye movement, so don't overlook adjacent deep water or nearby structure if the weed bite slows.

MUSKY - VERY GOOD

Pattern: Musky activity continues to improve as fish settle into stable summer feeding patterns. Healthy cabbage remains the starting point on most lakes, but remember that fish on cisco-based lakes may spend much of the day suspended with forage before sliding onto weed edges or structure during prime feeding windows.

Top Tactics: Bucktails, topwater baits, and faster-moving presentations during early morning, evening, and ahead of approaching weather.

WALLEYE - GOOD

Pattern:

Walleyes continue holding around healthy cabbage, hard-to-soft bottom transitions, and nearby breaklines. Wind has been one of the biggest factors this week, with moving water consistently producing active fish.

On the clear-water fisheries, don't hesitate to check deeper water if your electronics are showing suspended bait. Cisco forage often pulls quality fish away from traditional weedline patterns during the day.

Top Tactics: Leeches under slip bobbers, crawlers on live bait rigs, or shallow stickbaits during the evening bite.

PIKE - VERY GOOD

Pattern: Northern pike continue providing some of the most reliable action of the summer. As cabbage matures, pike are becoming increasingly aggressive around outside weed edges and transition areas.

Top Tactics: Spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, spoons, and swimbaits worked through healthy green vegetation.

PANFISH - GOOD

Pattern: Panfish continue providing dependable action throughout the area. Bluegills remain active around shallow weeds and sand, while crappies are holding along deeper weed edges, brush, and fish cribs. Mixed-species lakes like Allequash continue to be excellent choices for families looking to stay busy throughout the day.

Top Tactics: Small jigs tipped with waxworms, spikes, plastics, or crappie minnows.

Largemouth Bass - EXCELLENT

Pattern: The largemouth bite continues to strengthen as shoreline vegetation fills in. Fish are holding around developing lily pads, reeds, docks, shoreline wood, and healthy cabbage.

Top Tactics: Weightless plastics, frogs, chatterbaits, swim jigs, and wacky-rigged worms.

Smallmouth Bass - VERY GOOD

Pattern: Smallmouth have fully transitioned into summer structure and continue feeding well around rock, sand, and deeper transition areas. Bright afternoons still favor finesse presentations, especially on the area's clear-water lakes.

Top Tactics: Ned rigs, tube jigs, drop-shots, and finesse swimbaits.

PRO-TIP FOR THE WEEK

SEEK OUT THE "GREEN" and...

The forecast points toward a warm week with opportunities for scattered showers and thunderstorms around midweek before more stable summer weather returns. Those weather changes could create some excellent daytime feeding windows for muskies and walleyes, while bass and panfish should remain on dependable summer patterns throughout the period. If skies clear and temperatures climb heading into the weekend, expect the best fishing to shift back toward early mornings and the last few hours before sunset.

Good luck this week, and we'll see you at Northern Highland Sports!