Smokeys weekly fishing report by Captains Claus and Ruffolo 10/7/24

Well, the winds last week certainly stirred up the water and the few cooler night s started dropping the
water temperatures. Coupled with the shorter days and bait fish stating to school up fishing is
beginning to move into the “Fall” feel. This instability will most likely keep fishing a bit on the tougher
side as fish begin to spread out over the next couple weeks until it all stabilizes. The fishing pressure has
certainly tailed off on Green Bay with Duck season open and Bow Season open.
Walleye fishing was on the more difficult side this last week. The “Nice weather” days were tough
fishing with no or little wind, but the bit rougher days provided a little more action. Trolling cranks
along the shorelines from Macco’s Reef area all the way to Point Sable was about the most productive if
you want to call it that. Working 10’ out to 18’ of water did provide some limited action for anglers.
The areas University Bay like College Reef and the University Bay Shorelines also provided some limited
action to Walleye Trollers running crank baits. Not a lot of action has been reported.
Some of the Nighttime reef and shoreline fishing up in Door County has been decent for anglers willing
to burn the “midnight oil”. Trolling Flicker Minnows and stick baits like P-10’s had been good and should
continue to get better as the water temps move even more toward fall this week.
One key to having a little better fall success is to slow your trolling speeds as the water temps are
dropping. That Summer 2.0 mph pace might be a bit much going into fall. Try running 1.5-1.7 mph or
even slower at times.
Perch fishing remained very good overall when the wind allowed anglers to get out. Dykesville Bay,
Chaudior’s Dock, Volks Reef, and Sugar Creek area have all been great choices for Perching. Crawlers
and Minnows both are still working. Dropshots, dead sticking “Crappie rigs” and slip bobbers all taking
fish.
Musky anglers are reporting seeing lots of Shad schooling up around the popular musky areas and thus
the trolling bite has been a bit more productive in convincing the fish to cooperate. Trolling Super Shads
being the most popular bait.
If you go, please be safe, and take a kid fishing.
Brought to you by
Capt. Robert Claus Capt. Jerry Ruffolo
FinFanatic Charters Anglers Plus Guide Service
920-360-2904 920-973-2868
finfanaticcahrters@yahoo.com anglersplus@yahoo.com
www.finfanatic.net www.anglerspluswi.com