Where the fish at?, Seem scattered

I'm hoping someone can tell me exactly where to go, what bait to use, hold my rod and wipe my butt, you know?

Just kidding...

I'm taking the old man out tomorrow and am hoping for some basic pointers. Are the fish deep or still shallow?

I was out for a couple hours last week and the fish were everywhere from 10ft down to 36ft right on bottom.

Can't speak for anyone else Sterling. But our crew are still consistently catching numbers, in addition to many 18+" fish, on and around the reefs of the main lake basin.
Our best producing reefs seem to have big baitfish schools evident on the fishfinder.
We usually start off the reefs in deeper water (as deep as 40'+) working our way around the base of the reef, then up on top to pinpoint where the groupings are located, any given outing.
Reefs topping out from 25-35' seem to be producing well for us lately...often during the heat of the day.
The last few weeks we've been using bottom bouncers with double hook worm harnesses and spinners.
We'll likely stick with that approach as long as the bite continues.

Both grandkids are scoring regularly

And Mrs. Grumpa is no slouch at the moment either.
Great couple of weeks for the bigger fish.
But saw some floating clusters of shadfly discarded nymph skins out at the Manitou's this week...the first 'significant' hatching could be any time now...up and down the lake.

West Arm had it's major hatch already, 2nd week of June. They were a couple days late this year.

Still slow for us. Picking up a few, but inconsistent. We haven't tried the Warren Bay stretch yet though. Weird year.. lots of east wind, and no bluntnose minnows on our beach.
I have geese raiding the garden now. They walked through and sampled the peas and ate down most of the corn

Actually, the mayfly hatch has nothing to do with a predetermined date on a calendar...but everything to do with water temperatures.
In any particular body of water the hatch could easily vary as much as a month from one year to the next.
The only thing that stays the same, year to year, is the order in which various mayfly species hatch out.
Nipissings' lake water temps, off North Bay, 'usually' reach the optimal hatching temperature late June or early July...other areas can up heat up earlier, or later, based on overall water depth, current and wind movement.
But the day, let alone the week, or even the month...is never written in stone. How fast the water warms through the spring melt and into the summer is the key determinant when the pesky little creatures make an appearance each year.
And North Bay should be in for their annual coating, in short order...I would think.

Barometric pressure and photoperiod can also have an effect.

That said, we usually see them on or about the 10th of June each year.

When we fished smelts our "magic date" was April 19th.

I believe we have a different subspecies at our end of the lake than what is witnessed later in the summer at the North Bay end. Not out of the question, as there are over 100 across the country.

Thanks for the tips Grumpa.

It's too hot for the old man so we've pushed the outing to this weekend.

FYI I'm seeing shad flies already at my place. I'm just upstream from wasi falls. Also saw dead ones at the beach in Callander.

Question, are you going later in the day? These past couple years I've been limited to daytime outings due to young kids at home. Typically I just troll around in deeper water with decent success. Humps and reefs seem pretty devoid of fish midday, presumably they're hunkering down until mealtime.

Hey Sterling.
Mid day can be slower 'some' days.
When that happens we'll work off the reefs more, come the mid day sun.
Quite often the fish will drop into the deeper water just away from the better reefs/humps...but still within striking distance of the bait fish schools using the structure for cover and feeding.
Fishing can still be steady mid day...just not as feverish as it can be during the morning and evening bite windows.
We might occasionally catch fewer fish mid day, but many times we'll catch some bigger fish, in the deeper water, adjacent to the reefs.
With the water steadily warming, the metabolism of many fish species is speeding up...they still have to eat regularly, if not more often.
We've had so many days of calm, hot weather this past week...the bigger problem for me...is staying cool out on the water.
The big shad hatch is close for the main lake basin and east end of the lake...water temps seem pretty much optimal...so, any time now.
The hatch always reminds me how healthy this lake is.
Good luck with your dad...let the board know how you did.

Ha ha ha...."wipe my butt" that made my afternoon.

I haven't gotten out in way too long so I have very little to add.


******

Grumpa, every time you write I learn several things. Thank you.

Actually, the mayfly hatch has nothing to do with a predetermined date on a calendar...but everything to with water temperatures.
In any particular body of water the hatch could easily vary as much as a month from one year to the next.
The only thing that stays the same, year to year, is the order in which various mayfly species hatch out.
Nipissings' lake water temps, off North Bay, 'usually' reach the optimal hatching temperature late June or early July...other areas can up heat up earlier, or later, based on overall water depth, current and wind movement.
But the day, let alone the week, or even the month...is never written in stone. How fast the water warms through the spring melt and into the summer is the key determinant when the pesky little creatures make an appearance each year.
And North Bay should be in for their annual coating, in short order...I would think.

May flies hatching on the lake I fished this week in Marten river.
It was at the end of the hatch which affected the bite but also the hot hot hot weather didn't help..

Same fishmagnet.
I always find the bite finicky after the hatch has already been on for a few days to a week...or more in some cases.
Right at the start of the hatch when the shads are bursting from the water all around you...we've had some of the best fishing days I can remember over the years.
I always theorized it took the fish a few days to gorge themselves to the point that other easy food offerings didn't appeal to them.
If you've ever cleaned fish after a hatch has been on for several day to a week...their stomach compartments are stretched to the max, full of shad fly nymphs.
The whole hatch is an exercise in the evolutionary propagation of a species.
Millions of shad nymphs wiggling to the surface, simultaneously bursting out as adults to fly away and repopulate.
The shads overwhelm the predators in sheer numbers so enough escape to breed, ensuring the next generation.
A true marvel of evolution.

Hey all... it's been a while for me. Hello to all of you

I was out yesterday … water temps were in the low 70's out in the east side of the lake which I think is too warm for walleye to be that active. I was trying the shallows, but had no luck. moved into deeper water and FLOW!!!.... hit the bite. A long cast out with a few pops on the retrieve (jig and worm) did the trick for me. jigging straight down beside the boat was totally unproductive. East side of the lake does not seem to have many shads yet... not sure if it's a slow hatch or the calm before the storm? I will let you know after this weekend.

A few weeks ago I was getting nice walleye in shallow with a crankbait.? Go figure.

Good luck in your search my friend.

SKRAMO

…………..}-)))0>……...

And as if on cue, the start of central basin shad hatch blanketed sections of south shore tonight.
A strong north wind quickly blew them on shore.
Turned my lights off as soon as they appeared at dusk.
Better to have them go next door...to my neighbors well lit house.

How is the bass fishing in your neck of the woods ?

I am starved for news....