Big Wally’s Fishing Report

May 19, 2013

Banks Lake

We had 2 major fishing tournaments this weekend on Banks Lake, the Big Wally’s/Valley Marine walleye tournament and the NorthWest Bass tournament. The walleye bite has been on the tough side the past few days. The top weight after Day 1 weigh-in was 21.42 pounds of walleye (6 fish), with the Big Fish coming in at right around 7.5 pounds. Most anglers are fishing in water depths of 20-40 feet using bottom bouncers and spinner rigs. Areas to target right now include the north end of the Devils Punchbowl, the road bed at Kruks Bay, and Poplar Bay. The smallmouth bass remain on their spawning beds all throughout the lake. Target spawning smallies with soft plastics such as the Optimum Baits 3” Wacky Shad in pearl white fished on a drop-shot rig. Another great bed fishing bait is a shakey head jig, such as the Strike King Shakey Head, fished with a straight tail worm. The largemouth bass population in Banks Lake continues to be on the rise. This is one species on Banks that has really done exceptionally well these past couple of years. Target Banks Lake largemouth with a Koppers Live Target hollow body frog, a Yamamoto Senko, or a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver rigged Texas Style. Now is also a great time to catch some Banks lake crappie. Target crappie in areas around the Devils Punchbowl, Jones and Kruks Bay using mini crappie jigs.

Park/Blue Lake

Trout fishing remains very good at the Sun Lakes Chain of Lakes. Park, Blue, and Deep Lake have been kicking out some nice rainbow trout in the 13-16 inch range. Troll wedding rings, pop gear, or a small Seps Dodger in front of a UV Apex Spoon for excellent results. Bank anglers have been finding success plunking PowerBait in a wide assortment of colors.