Fishermen were finding some active Northerns in some of the bays that have warmed up rather quickly, which  helps bring in some of blue gills and crappies. which make easy prey for the toothy critters.  Spinner baits seem to be working for some of the anglers, others are taking some really nice northerns by the very few docks that are in the water, due to the late and wet spring we have had. The fish like hanging by these  warm dock posts and rubbing their sides against them, and ambushing bait fish,   another reason is there are very few weeds to hide and ambush from.  Minnow looking baits of your choice are working for anglers.

   The large mouth bass fishing was a little slow in the cold morning but as the day started to heat up so did so did the fishing for ole bucket mouth.  You could catch them on just about anything you would throw at them for a bait.  You could  catch them  fishing fast or slow.

    Walleye fishermen had good chop on the water for drifting and bouncing a walleye jig, fuzzy grub, or jig head and a twister tail off some of the harder bottom areas on the Chetek chain. Other fishermen were finding success on some sand points and bars working a night crawler. It also seemed a little voo-doo game fish scent squirted on minnow jig combos seem to help get a more aggressive bite.

   The Blue gill and Crappie fishermen fishing  in some of the warmer bays that were not getting pounded by the wind had good action.  A waxie, with a small jig and bobber set up,  worked well for either species. Crappie killers and a crappie minnow rig  swimming slowly  off some of the deeper banks with some structure proved successful.

   Please remember the walleye limits  have  changed on the Chetek chain of lakes.  The changes are posted at all the boat landings on the chain. Check limits when you buy your bait and license at the local shops.

   Good luck fishing  and have a safe boating season on the Chetek chain of lakes.
Steve Sedani at Up-Der North Guide Service.
E-mail up-dernorth@yahoo.com.