Local Fishing Report

“In The Smiley Barn”
I-94 & Hwy 83 * Delafield, WI 53018
(262) 646-2218
www.dicksmithslivebait.com

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025

Fishing has been great on the area lakes! Surface water temperatures were reported to be in the upper 70’s to low 80s.

Bluegills are done spawning on our area lakes. Bluegill fishing has proven best along weed edges in 8 to 18 feet of water, with the larger gills being towards the bottom. Smaller gills were found in shallower water around weeds and piers. Bluegill fishing provides great fun for both kids and adults! A giant redworm, wax worm, panfish leech or a small fathead minnow baited on a #8 hook or 1/32oz jig produced. A 1/32oz jig and plastic combo such as a Cubby Mini Mite, Dick Smith’s Panfish Grub or a Bobby Garland plastic worked great as well. A slip bobber rig or vertical jigging a split shot or drop shot rig are the best presentations to use in deep water. A small bobber works best in shallow water. Foam spiders, poppers, or a black ant fly fished using a fly rod or an ultralight spinning rod, with a casting bubble, was effective during early morning and evening hours with calm conditions.

Crappies were found suspended along outside weed lines in 10 to 15 feet of water or over deeper water. Casting or drifting with a 1/32oz jig or #6 hook on a split shot rig baited with a small or large fathead minnow produced. A jig dressed with a 1” to 2” plastic tail such as a Dick Smith’s Panfish Grub, Cubby Mini Mite, Crappie Scrub, or Southern Pro Lit’l Hustler Tubes also produced.

With the rising water temps, Northern pike action should be on fire ! Fish the deeper weedlines or structure near baitfish. A medium sucker or medium golden shiner baited on a circle hook with a Dick Smith’s 40# fluorocarbon leader and slip sinker worked best. Vertical jigging a ¼ to 3/8oz hair jig baited with a small chub also worked great. Casting around weed flats using Chatterbaits, Mepps spinners, lipless crankbaits, or swim baits produced smaller, more aggressive pike.

Largemouth bass were in their summer pattern. During early morning or evening hours, fish the weed flats in 5 to 10 feet of water using swim jigs, spinner baits, shallow running crankbaits, inline spinners, or top water baits. Fishing deeper weedlines with Texas rigged plastics, drop shot rigs, crankbaits or wacky jigs have produced. A medium golden shiner, nightcrawler, or large leech fished on a split shot rig or under a slip bobber works best for live bait. Fishing near piers, or other shallow water structure with wacky worms, NED rigs,  pre rigged worms, and tubes worked as well. Anglers also had success fishing the slop with plastic frogs.

Smallmouth were found along breaks or cruising shallower rock bars. Swim jigs, Keitech paddle tails, and crankbaits worked for suspended smallies. Dragging a Get Bit tube jig, drop shot rig, NED rig, or a football jig with skirted grub has also produced. A slip sinker rig with a leech, small sucker, or jumbo tuffy works best for live bait. Popper style top water baits or flukes have produced during calm conditions.

Walleyes were active along weed edges in 8 to 18 feet of water, along with deeper structure in 20 to 30 feet. Leeches, nightcrawlers, jumbo tuffies or medium golden shiners worked best for bait. A lindy rig, spinner rig, or slip bobber rig are the best ways to present these baits. At night or early morning hours, cast minnow style crankbaits over the tops of weeds.

Catfish were caught from the Rock and Crawfish rivers, along with Lakes Koshkonong and Mendota. A medium sucker, nightcrawler, leech, or stinkbait fished on a slip sinker rig worked best for bait.

Lake Michigan is starting to heat up for Cohos and Kings out of all Harbors. Flasher Fly combos, Meat Rigs, and Spoons have been picking up fish.

Please practice Selective Harvesting for the Future of Fishing.

Please visit the WI DNR website for rules on possession, bag, and minimum size limits.

Good Luck!
Mike & Becky Smith

Link to Wisconsin DNR Fishing Regulations