We are deep into the summer heat and bug hatches.  I have had many folks ask me what are we gonna do to catch walleye and saugers in these conditions?   My response to everyone is don't be afraid to be shallow even with warmer water temperatures.  Of course you can chase walleye and saugers in deeper water however if you don't need to then why do it.     If the bait is shallow the walleye will run shallow to eat them up.  

Now to the techniques to try out to get them pesky walleye and sauger to bite for you.   Let's start with pulling the rig.  When chasing walleye in the summer time you most likely need to speed you boat up to speeds ranging from 2 to 3 1/2 miles per hour.  These fish can move very fast at this time of the year to catch  up to the bait swimming throughout the water column.  
 
Pulling three ways with bait on or around the points can be very productive to  especially with the higher water levels of this summer.  When I say bait I'm talking pulling floating jig heads , slow death rigs and even crawler harnesses.  The speeds pulling bait obviously can't be super fast otherwise you will get twisted up on you lines.  These speeds range from .5 all the way to  2 mph.   

Next we have fishing willow cats.   Most guys like to target walleyes on wing dams with a leader ranging from 12-18 inches long.  You put a slip sinker on you line above this leader  so when a fish strikes the willow cat you can feed it line so the walleye can get the kitty to turn around in it mouth so it goes head first down its throat.  This can be a technique you can target bigger walleye on the wing dams in your system your fishing.  This techniques can also work on the points or rock pile areas on the lake.

Now to dragging jigs.  In the summer months this can be a unique way to catch walleyes for guys that like to use jigs all season.  Biggest thing with dragging jigs in my experience is I use mono line  not hard line using this technique.  Over the years I have learned these fish will feel you with fire line and spit that bait out quicker than you can set the hook.  The monofilament line will help you with the catch rate due to the stretch in the line.   I use leeches, crawlers, and even willow cats at times dragging jigs.  This all depends on what the walleye want.  
 

Now that we have the techniques out of the way here is how my bite has gone so far since the last report.   My bite so far this summer with the water levels at a new high since I've fished here has been very very good this summer.  I have had many days this summer where we have not had a five minute break in the boat.  And other days you just had to work the area to pluck one off here and there.  Welcome to summer fishing.   Fishing walleye I can also be challenging at times in summer.  Bug hatches can effect them due to they will gorge on the bugs. However this summer so far it has not effected our catch rate.   

I have had many customers in the boat lately and I'd like to thank everyone of them for choosing my guided service.  A few folks have brought their kids out too which is always fun.  Joe Kantz brought  his son out with me a week ago and it's always fun to watch these two battle it out to see who's top stick of the days.  Although joe lost a big fish on this date the fish slayer put a whoopin on his dad and he was letting him know it in the boat.  

Next I had Sarah, Tracey and My Maria in the boat.   On this date it was very hot and humid then combine this with no wind in the area we fished. I bring this up because we had a little heat problem with one of us.   I can't stress enough to people that get in the boat that water is a must. When you are out there on the water you don't realize how much it's being drained from your body.   So glad everything turned out on this date and we got into some fish for them to eat.   Looking forward to our perch and crappie trip this fall. 

Now to yesterday.  Nathan brought his son Jordan and Jordan's friend Treyjen.   These 2 young men put a butt whoopin on some walleyes today with several fish being over 17 inches.  I love seeing folks bring kids in the boat that are behaved and want to be out there to enjoy fishing.  These young gentlemen are from Caledonia and if anyone knows that's where I call my old hometown.  These boys are being brought up with grass roots values and I love it.  Nathan thank you for choosing my guided service and hopefully we see you guys again in the future.   Good luck the rest of your vacation in Hudson.  

The water temperature yesterday was 78 degrees where I fished.   Water depths I targeted yesterday were from 4-8 ft.  With most of the fish coming in the 5.5 fish range.  Remember these fish need oxygen when the water is hot so target the areas with flow on the river system.   Wings dams, sand bars.points, outside bends.   

Good luck out there guys and gals!!!!
 

Mississippi River, St. Croix River, Pool 3, Pool 4, Walleye Fishing, Sauger Fishing, Red Wing, Hastings