June 12 – June 19, 2023

Week #6 of the open water season (6/12-6/19)

Main lake water temp: 68
Water temp in the bays: 68-70

Walleye

Walleye fishing has been tough this past week. With the combination of east winds and a mayfly hatch it’s been nothing short of difficult. However, there are still plenty of hungry walleyes willing to bite if you are willing to put in the effort.

The trusty slip bobber and leech is still producing fish and will continue to do so until the end of July. During low light hours focus on 3-7’ of water on points with boulders and deep water near by.

Any day now the spinner and crawler bite should take off and become a deadly combo on a bottom bouncer. Troll spinners along the top part of reefs during early morning hours and slowly move out deeper once the sun gets up.

Moving around and fishing a lot of spots is what’s helping put fish in the boat. If you don’t catch any within 20 minutes go ahead and go try your next spot. We have been seeing a lot of spots producing a few aggressive fish and then shutting off.

Baits of choice in my boat: slip bobber and leech

Bass

Smallmouth bass are as plentiful as ever and they are hungry. Finally into post spawn these big footballs are putting on the feed bags and enjoying their fair share of rusty crawfish.

If you’re a fan of top water smallmouth, now is the best time to be on Lake Vermilion. Isolated boulders, flat shorelines with rock stick outs, and points off of islands are high target areas. Smallmouth have been super aggressive with 20 fish mornings being norm right now.

As always during the summer months, a slip bobber and a leech is a fantastic go to style to catch smallmouth bass. It’s not the most traditional style for bass but it’s a simple, easy and super fun way to get the entire family catching fish. Plus, what’s more fun than watching bobbers go down all day long!?

Baits of choice: slip bobber and leech, rebel pop r (your top water of choice), soft plastics such as senkos and tubes

Check back in next Monday (6/26) to see next weeks fishing report!

Zach Hrvol
Fishing with Z Guide Service
(218) 404-9200