by Bob Jensen

Early summer can provide some of the best fishing action of the year for many of the species of fish found in the Midwest. Walleyes and bass are particularly susceptible to an angler’s presentation right now. Here’s how you can get in on the action.

Weather can play a role in where the fish are found this time of the year. Depending on when the fish spawned, they might be shallow or at mid-depths. The earlier they spawned, the earlier they’ll move to deeper water.

Also, you might find that, early in the month, the smaller fish will be more active. As the water warms the bigger ones bite better. After the spawn, the smaller male fish begin feeding more aggressively. The larger females usually require some time to recover from the rigors of spawning. They’ll eat after that recovery period.

Look for the best activity to be near the spawning areas. After the spawn the bass and walleyes will hang in the spawning areas for awhile, then they’ll move a short distance away. Often they’ll move to an area where there’s some food. For walleyes, that might be the first drop-off or newly emerging weedbed. For bass, it might be reeds or lily-pads near their spawning area. If you find where they’re hanging out, you’re going to get bit.

It’s hard to beat a spinnerbait for largemouth bass this time of year, but a lot of soft-bait presentations will be good also. Something that’s really been catching on is a rubber-legged jig retrieved almost like a spinnerbait. Take a 3/8th ounce Jungle Jig and rig it with a four inch Power Grub or a PowerBait three inch Double Tail Grub. Throw it to the same places you’d throw a spinnerbait, and retrieve it just like you’d slowly retrieve a spinnerbait. In places where the bass have seen a lot of spinnerbaits, this technique is very productive.

Jigs are also good for walleyes right now. If the walleyes want a slower presentation, a stand-up Fire-Ball with a minnow is good.

If they’re in new weeds, a stand-up Fire-Ball with a Gulp! Alive, Gulp! or Power Minnow in the three inch size will be good.

As the month progresses and the water warms, many of the bass and walleyes will start moving deeper, although there will still be some walleyes and bass in the shallows, more bass than walleyes. Nonetheless, look for the best walleye action to take place on deeper structures and the best bass action to be on the weedline.

As the fish move deeper, sonar becomes more of an aid. Especially with walleyes on deep structure, use your electronics to locate them before you start fishing for them. I use Humminbird color sonar and have developed a great deal of trust in it. If it doesn’t show fish in deeper water, I keep looking.

Anytime is a great time to go fishing, but I think if I was limited to one month to fish for walleyes or bass, it would be June. The weather is more stable and the fish like to eat then, and that’s a winner in my book.