Species Forecasts 2021

Walleye/Northern pike forecasts

• Spawning will be done in the central, western and northern parts of the state and fish will have moved into shallower bays to feed.
• Anglers should expect to find them in slow currents or drop-offs and should fish for them using a jig and a minnow.
• On the Winnebago System, walleye and northern pike will be in their pre-summer patterns in a little deeper water and main lake locations. Anglers should expect walleye to be next to shore structures in the vicinity of the major rivers. Inland waters on the eastern side of the state, will be a little cooler and the walleye and northern pike will likely be hanging around shoreline-oriented habitat.
• Cool temps in Lake Superior have prolonged spawning.

Bass forecasts

• Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will be in their pre-spawning modes for the opener.
• Anglers will find largemouth bass in the same shallow bays as walleye, while smallmouths will be on rocky drop-offs adjacent to spawning sites.
• If temperatures warm prior to opener, this could be some of the best smallmouth action of the year.

Panfish forecasts

• Fishing may be slow due to cooler weather.
• Panfish anglers will find hungry bluegills and crappies in warm shallow water around trees and stumps preparing to spawn.
• Worms, waxworms or small plastics fished under a bobber will work very well for bluegills. Try using minnows under a bobber to catch crappies.

Trout/Salmon forecasts

• Good catches and a high abundance of trout have been reported during the early catch and release season despite clear waters.
• Trout streams are low and clear. Anglers should take a stealthy approach and expect trout to spook easily.
• Trout fishing in the Driftless Area should be phenomenal.
• Trout streams across the eastern part of the state are looking good for opening weekend as well, though they are lower than in years past.

Great Lakes

• Reports indicate trout anglers have had luck while trolling stick baits and spoons.
• Anglers trolling in Door County and northern Lake Michigan can expect to catch brown trout, and perhaps rainbow trout, as they are just finishing their spawning runs and many have begun returning to the lake.
• Coho salmon are starting to make their annual northward migration along the Lake Michigan lakeshore.
  • Shore anglers have reported catching coho by casting spoons off the piers, while boat anglers have caught them trolling with flies on dipsy divers.
• This time of year, anglers fishing Lake Superior have the most success trolling stick baits high in the water column in shallow water.
  • Coho salmon, brown trout, splake and lake trout can all be caught.