AR Huzgr

Sitting here watching the rain today. Nearly 8 inches over the last few days in BV, so thought I'd post a summer in review RE walleye fishing on Beaver since I didn't post each time out. If you recall, water levels were extremely high in spring, as opposed to last year as you can see on attached water level graph. The lake fished way different than last year, in my opinion. Summer pattern fish were scarce in some of last years go-to spots. All I can think of is the increased water level made those spots less desirable, likely due to the cover or Rock piles being too deep. Another interesting thing was last year, I caught a lot of fish 27-33 ft. This year, it seemed to be 18-25 ft was desired range. Who knows why. Maybe water clarity and shallower thermocline? In general, crawler spinner harnesses worked well. Caught probably 120+ fish but interestingly, the keeper to shorts ratio was way down. I caught a large number of 15-17 inch fish. Maybe on the order of 80+% shorts. Spells good for next year, but the big ones this year were likely in open water and since I don't have live scope, I didn't chase out there blind. Similar to last year, things died down dramatically after labor day. I was out last week and went south of hwy 12 to about 10 different spots and got a whopping 1 keeper. Where they go in the fall is still a mystery. when the thermocline drops and/or the lake turns over, there's a lot more water for them to move in. Possible they go really deep (40-50), something I'll need to investigate, but I don't like pulling fish up from that deep usually. Also possible they start moving into larger coves. Overall, a fun summer fishing for them. Will be taking the winter off with a knee replacement in November, then back at them in spring.

Lol, I'll have my Garmin map on phone marking spots like crazy!

Got on the water about 5 looking for topwater striper. First place was zero topwater so quickly moved to spot 2. There was a bit more action there not hot and heavy but enough to keep at it. Ended with one 25" striper and about 10-12 nice smallmouth, all on topwater. Bite died at 0930 so headed home WT 73

I went mid lake today looking for walleye. Got 2, but they aren't on a summer pattern yet. soon though. Got these near a deep (26 ft) brush pile. Water was 82.5. Saw a thermocline at about 40.

I've not targeted walleye yet, but will once this hot weather brings the thermocline up. I think the typical summer walleye pattern on Beaver doesn't start until July, once water temp over 80. That's my theory anyway. Until then, it's more one here, one there. At least for me, that is. But it's hard to pull me away from striper/smallmouth in June

Good, quality fish there. I wonder where the striper went. Seems a tad early for them to go deep. I did not get out today, but wife and I took the toon out this afternoon. While anchored, a historic plane that looked like a zero, flew about 100 ft over the water, up lake. Would be a fun ride!

We probably crossed paths on the water today

Got out early, on water by 5 hoping for topwater striper. Where I was, no early topwater anywhere to be found. Wind was good but cloudy so perhaps not enough light at the right times. The smallmouth were hungry today, got about 20, up to 17.5 in, with several on topwater over deep offshore humps. Was able to get one striper at 0830, right place right time. Off water 1030 Wt 77

Great way to start the day!

Slow for us too, started early for striper, we lost 2 and I did get one nice one. Fishing partner got a 3 lb smallmouth and a nice largemouth but just a few others. Wondering if having all flood gates open was having a negative effect.

That sounds about right. Maybe some day we'll have sun to prove that theory! Everything shut down for me at 10:30 this morning

Got out early to see if there was any top water striper. I got one but I wouldn't say topwater was robust. More like one here one there. Got this on a pencil popper and got some smallmouth, a big white on a whopper plopper. Moved on to smallmouth, main lake structure. Ended with about 25 Smallies mostly on Ned. None too big, but a lot in that 15 inch range Foggy/cloudy with water temps about 73-74.

Great time to be out. I was out earlier in the week, lower end. Definitely saw quite a few fish on beds. I caught more largemouth than I normally do. Ned was quite productive but also needed a good weedless rig to fish laydowns. Biggest was 4.2#

Thanks for the report. I'll be at Beaver this week. Were you able to tell if Smallies still pre-spawn or working their way back out?

Got out a few hours before the floods come. Fished 10-1:30p. The wind was blowing so glad I had a deep V and spot lock was extremely helpful today in boat control. Got 10, all SM except 1 spot. Most on ned, though a few on swimbait. Fished secondary points in 10-15 ft. Temps were 53-54 Biggest fish just shy of 17", most others in that 13-14 range.