Musky season has been open for just over month here in northern Wisconsin and we are now getting into summer. This season has been interesting so far to say the least. We have encountered record temperatures for the first couple weeks of June causing water temps to skyrocket into the upper 70s to 80 degrees for a brief period. The heat was coupled with little rain causing some low water situations around the area.

The last couple weeks have normalized a bit and water temps are now sitting at low to mid 70s on most waters here in Hayward. Muskies have been hitting the net since opening day, but the bite is now really starting to get good.

The first couple weeks found the muskies a bit lethargic, but we were able to trigger some nice bites by staying shallow and fishing very erratically. As usual jerkbaits, glide baits, and twitchbaits dominated the catch right off the bat. Even though the water warmed quickly it has taken a bit for the muskies to get aggressive. Slammer minnows, Hellhounds, and Suicks were the predominate producers early off.

The last two weeks have seen an increase in activity with the muskies becoming much more aggressive. We are starting to see the summer patterns set up. This includes more fish relating to deeper edges and access to deeper water. The bite is still great shallow, but the spots should have some deep water in relation. Blades, bigger rubber, and topwater are all getting some fish now. Now it seems faster retrieves and actions are getting the most attention from some of the bigger muskies. Musky Mayhem Triggers, magnum Bull Dawgs, Medussas, and Toads are all getting munched.

Things are certainly ramping up as we head into summer peak. We have caught some fish up to the upper 40s and I know of at least half dozen muskies over 50 inches so far here in the Hayward area, and I expect several more big muskies to be caught in the next couple weeks as we head into summer.

— Steve Genson, fishhunts.com