By Josh Lantz

Walleyes are still largely following established summer patterns in most lakes and rivers come early September, which generally means deeper water. Anglers targeting ‘eyes should start their searches in all the likely areas, namely offshore humps, deep weed lines, mid-depth flats, and man-made cribs in lakes, and at the bottom of the deeper pools in rivers and streams. But they should also be prepared to search shallower whenever the conditions dictate.

“September is a transition time for walleyes,” says Minnesota professional angler and fishing promoter, Joel Nelson. “Most lake walleyes will adhere to summer patterns during warm weather, but any early cold snap can trigger pods of baitfish to move to the shallows. The walleyes won’t be far behind.”

Nelson is a proponent of vertical jigging and pitching in these scenarios. His key offerings include simple 1/8-to-1/2-ounce jigheads rigged with smaller plastics, typically paddletails and shad varietals, fished under the boat in the mornings and evenings, and away from the boat during mid-day. He uses two distinct spinning rods for these presentations.

“For me, a 6’3” medium-light power, extra fast spinning rod is the perfect vertical jigging tool when using up to 3/8-ounce jigs,” Nelson says. “The shorter length is ideal for fishing vertically, and the extra-fast tip is extremely useful in detecting bites from fish still in a lazy summer pattern. St. Croix offers this popular model in several of its rod series, including Eyecon and Legend Elite, which are two examples that will appeal to the needs of a wide variety of anglers.” Personally, Nelson opts for the Legend Elite model and its extremely sensitive SCV carbon blank.

“When fish push shallower – often after a cold snap – and you’re pitching farther away from the boat, moving up in length and power to a 6’8” medium power, extra-fast rod gives you a bit of extra leverage, and it’ll also handle heavier Fireball jigs up to 5/8 of an ounce,” advises Nelson, who says shallower walleyes are often more concentrated. “Big schools of walleyes are typically present in these conditions, so look for ‘can’t-miss’ signatures on your electronics’ side-imaging before wetting any baits.” Read more

America’s Pacific Northwest offers stunning natural beauty with lush forests, immense mountains, and many beautiful lakes, streams, rivers, and the Pacific Ocean. Opportunities abound for the outdoorsman as both fishing and hunting are exceptional for many different species, but in this region, salmon, trout and steelhead are king and generate the most attention from resident anglers and visitors looking to experience what Washington and Oregon have to offer.

For the salmon and steelhead angler, fishing begins each summer in the saltwater as the fish transition and begin their push to the rivers for their annual migration to spawning grounds. A progression of different fish runs occurs each year and the timing of each depends on species, open fishing seasons, and water temperature. But, they are all on their way to the rivers to spawn as it is their lifelong duty to fulfill.

Captain Nick Kester – All Star Seattle Fishing Charters

Opportunities Abound in the Sound Read more

New Low-Profile Flagship Baitcaster, The Unparalleled Steez CT SV

Designed in America and precision built in Japan, this super-smooth lightweight powerhouse is a technological marvel backed by Daiwa’s ultimate warranty.

Cypress, Calif. – Hardcore bass fans asked for it and now Daiwa has delivered big time. Meet the brand new Steez CT SV, a lightweight, super-smooth baitcaster packed full of Daiwa’s proprietary cutting-edge technology, unmatched in a reel this size. Daiwa’s high-end Steez line is already renown for exceptional performance, toughness and versatility. The new CT SV raises that bar to even greater heights.

“This is our new flagship low-profile baitcasting reel,” says Marc Mills, Field Marketing Manager for Daiwa-US. “It is, quite simply the best baitcasting reel we can make right now, and it incorporates the absolute best of our design breakthroughs in every respect. At just 5.3 ounces, it’s built specifically for the U.S. market with the power to handle bigger bass and larger lures in a featherweight format that excels at precision finesse presentations as well. Extremely comfortable in the palm of your hand, it’s perfectly balanced, ergonomic design is second to none.” Read more

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries announced a Voluntary Drought Initiative today designed to protect populations of salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon from the effects of the current unprecedented drought.

The initiative provides a framework for water users to enter into individual agreements with the two agencies to maintain enough water for fish spawning and survival, and implement other collaborative actions like fish rescue, relocation, monitoring, and habitat restoration. In return, landowners and water users will benefit from a simplified permitting process under the federal and state endangered species laws and may receive incidental take authorizations for California Endangered Species Act (CESA)-listed fish in case a participant unintentionally takes a listed fish species. While individual agreements under this initiative expire December 31, 2021 and may be renewed on an annual basis, prospective participants may enroll at any time.

“This severe drought impacts all of California and presents unique challenges for salmon, steelhead, and sturgeon listed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Barry Thom, Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries, West Coast Region. “To help imperiled fish survive these conditions, we are asking private landowners to work with us and CDFW to implement actions that may protect sensitive aquatic ecosystems as part of a Voluntary Drought Initiative.”

As an example of how the initiative can be beneficial, in 2014 CDFW worked with Los Molinas Mutual Water Company on Mill Creek in Tehama County. The company provided access through its properties for fish population monitoring and provided flows in the creek for the benefit of spring-run Chinook salmon.

“Drought conditions create substantial challenges for many landowners or water users throughout California,” said CDFW Director Charlton H. Bonham. “NOAA and CDFW have found that open dialogue with drought-affected landowners or water users regarding voluntary steps to reduce significant risks to federal- and state-listed species from drought has been an effective way to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.” Read more

Hatchery-reared sturgeon fingerlings will be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake later that day

If you’re curious about lake sturgeon – one of the most unique and the biggest fish swimming the Great Lakes – plan a visit to the Black River hatchery northwest of Onaway, Michigan, Saturday, Aug. 21. The facility will host free public tours that day from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m..

The tours are offered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan State University, Tower-Kleber Limited Partnership and Sturgeon For Tomorrow. Researchers from the DNR and MSU will be on hand to talk about lake sturgeon biology, reproductive ecology and the current year’s research. Sturgeon For Tomorrow representatives will discuss restoration work to improve sturgeon spawning habitat, sturgeon conservation and outreach programming.

“While on the tours, visitors will see 3-month-old lake sturgeon currently in the hatchery and learn about early life history and how we can all play a role to keep healthy populations of this fish in our waters,” said Dave Borgeson, Northern Lake Huron Unit supervisor with the DNR.

The streamside rearing facility is an important component of lake sturgeon rehabilitation efforts in the Cheboygan River watershed. The facility conducts research to increase our understanding of lake sturgeon, thanks to DNR, federal, Great Lakes Fishery Trust and Sturgeon For Tomorrow funds. Results provide much-needed guidance for managers involved in lake sturgeon recovery efforts, while improving the effectiveness of lake sturgeon culture and stocking efforts.

The sturgeon fingerlings reared at the hatchery are scheduled to be released into the Black River and Mullett Lake Aug. 21 after the tours conclude. Read more

Using a Moonshine raspberry carbon spoon lure this past weekend, an angler from Ortonville, Michigan, turned in a new state-record fish!

Luis Ricardo Hernandez Martinez was troll fishing with Capt. Bobby Sullivan of Icebreaker Charters on Lake Michigan near Ludington early Saturday morning, Aug. 7, when he caught a Chinook salmon weighing in at 47.86 pounds and measuring 47.5 inches.

“I never expected a catch like this would happen,” Martinez said. “It’s possible for anyone if I can do it! I would like to extend a great ‘thank you’ to Capt. Bobby, as it was he who made this catch possible for me.”

Captain Sullivan added, “Luis did an amazing job, executing perfectly everything I asked him to do in order to bring this fish in.” Read more

VERNAL — The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will once again be treating several streams in the High Uintas in an effort to help restore native Colorado River cutthroat trout.

In 2019 and 2020, DWR biologists treated the Potter and East Fork Carter Creek areas on the north slope of the Uintas with rotenone. Rotenone is a natural substance that comes from the roots of a tropical plant in the bean family. It’s a respiratory toxin to fish, but isn’t dangerous to people, pets or other wildlife, especially in the extremely low quantities that biologists use to treat the streams. A series of two or three treatments is standard protocol for effective cutthroat trout restoration, so biologists will treat this area again, for a third and final time, in late August 2021.

Why are rotenone treatments done?

In addition to increasing the diversity of angling opportunities, these project treatments will help the native fish. Habitat loss, breeding with non-native trout and competition from non-native trout have caused dramatic declines in native cutthroat trout populations around the West, leading to concerns about the species’ future.

“As the trustee and guardian of wildlife in Utah, we’re conducting Colorado River cutthroat trout restoration activities across the fish’s native range,” DWR Regional Sportfish Biologist Bryan Engelbert said. “The activities will protect the species, while also providing people with great areas to fish for these native fish.”

Upcoming rotenone treatments in the Uintas

From Aug. 17-25, the DWR will chemically treat the following locations with rotenone:

• • East Fork Carter Creek above the Sheep Creek canal
  • Ram, Mutton and Bummer lakes
  • West Fork Carter Creek above the Sheep Creek canal

Read more