Allure Report 05/11

[outdoor allure]

*PLEASE NOTE Lake levels are approximately 3 feet low, and approaching record low levels. Some landings are un useable. Use caution launching and retrieving your boat; and use extreme caution in the sloughs.

*Pretty extreme temperature variations this week have made fishing a bit spotty, but there are fish being caught. Highs in the 90's mid week pretty much shut off the inshore shallow water trolling bite, Still some Browns, Splake and Salmon being caught, but mainly in the upper to middle of the water column over 60-120 feet deep, a little shallower along the S. Shore breaks and in the islands. Lake Trout fishing has been good, both in the Islands, and on the Flats. Standard presentations of larger sized spoons, and dodger combos trolled fairly slow in 60-120 feet has been working. Somedays the fish are active and suspended, other days you must scrape bottom with your gear to get bit. Walleye are done spawning and fishing is picking up for them from south of Washburn thru Ashland and the head of the bay, and to a lesser extent in the sloughs. Trolling shallow water with stickbaits, small cranks, and harnesses has been working. Smallies are in at the sloughs and fishing has been fantastic, on a multitude of presentations. I prefer suspending jerkbaits, tubes, and senko or slug style soft sticks right now. Pre spawn bass were holding in slightly deeper water, but they may start bedding with the water warming up so fast.

*Steelheading has had mixed reports lately, low clear conditions continue to make it a bit of a tough bite, but there are plenty of fish in, and on the redds. We may or may not get one more smaller push of fresh fish in with the next big rain, and that might be it this year. Stream trout are ever-present, and biting vigorously with the first good warm spell.

*Inland fishing remains good. The warm temps have started some bass and bluegill bedding on some of the smaller lakes. Crappies are about done on the smaller lakes, but still up shallow on some of the bigger waters. Walleye are still in relatively shallow water, 6-12 feet on many lakes. Northern Pike are in green, emerging weeds and biting well.

Good Fishin! Craig, Outdoor Allure Sport Shop, Guide Service, and Sportsman's Lodging on Cheq. Bay.