Plenty of good August fishing is out there if you know where to look.
Submitted photo
August often brings the peak of summer heat. Fishing during the middle of the day can be brutal across much of the Midwest, so retreating to cold water rivers and fishing after dark are two ways to make time on the water bearable this month.
Where there is a will, there is a way. There are plenty of places to fish in August, and this column is going to highlight a few.
Summer vacation comes to an end for most school children this month, so if you want to squeeze an outdoor adventure in with your kids before they head back to school, consider booking a small cabin at a resort on the water somewhere. Let them swim and enjoy the outdoors, while also adding in a heathy dose of fishing.
Indiana: Whitewater River smallmouth bass
The Whitewater River is loaded with smallmouth bass. From Brookville to the Whitewater’s confluence with the Great Miami River near Cincinnati, anglers can expect to find good numbers of smallmouth — and some big ones. There are plenty of fish above Brookville, too. The river is clean, and it’s a scenic float. Metamora to Brookville is a popular stretch for paddlers in August; if you want to fish this section, start early to beat the crowd. The warm-weather bite is often best after dark. Throwing topwater baits, like Jitterbugs and Zara Spooks, to aggressive smallmouth bass while wading a clear water river is about as good as it gets in August.
Ohio: Farm pond bluegill
Bluegill fishing is simple; that’s why it appeals to so many people. Find a farm pond, and there are likely bluegill swimming in it. Medina County claims the title “Pond Capital of Ohio,” but farm ponds abound statewide. A light action casting rod with a classic Zebco 33, a few hooks, sinkers and bobber, and a box of worms are all one needs. Depending on the size of the farm pond, an angler may use a jon boat, canoe, or kayak to effectively fish the water. Some anglers may even venture out in a float tube, using flippers to kick their way around. Bluegill are found throughout a pond but tend to be deeper during the day in August.
Minnesota: Lake Osakis crappie
Fishing trips with my grandparents to Lake Osakis were highlights of my youth. We chased walleye, perch and crappie but were most successful with the crappie. We stayed at Lakeshore Resort and caught giant crappie right off the dock. Osakis is 11 miles long, covers 6,389 acres, and reaches 73 feet deep. In August, crappie tend to be found in deeper water. This is a great time of year to hire a guide for a day. They can teach you how and where to find crappie during the summer heat. A bucket full of minnows is the popular bait for Osakis crappie. Floating a minnow under a slip bobber works whether your fishing from a dock or from a boat. There is a public boat ramp in the town of Osakis.
Michigan: Pere Marquette brown trout
The Pere Marquette is the birthplace of American brown trout fishing. German brown trout were first introduced here when dumped from a train trestle in 1884, and they have drawn anglers to this pristine holy water of trout angling ever sense. Kevin Morlock has been operating Indigo Guide Service on the PM for over 20 years. He said, “The flies-only water by Baldwin is one of the must-fish destinations for brown trout anglers in the country, for the history as much as the fishing. The numbers aren’t as high as some other waters, but there are big, old fish in there. Catching them in August at night on a mouse pattern is especially fun.” There are multiple public fishing sites in Baldwin providing access to the upper PM, and good access remains all the way to Ludington.
Nebraska: Merritt Reservoir walleye
When hunting trophy walleye in Nebraska, the 2,906-acre Merritt Reservoir in the Sandhills near Valentine should be near the top of your list. In August, successful walleye anglers are using electronics to locate fish along the deeper weed edges and on main lake flats. Using quarter-ounce minnow tipped jigs along brush, drop-offs and on points are a go-to this time of year. Nighttime fishing also proves to be successful for walleye during the late summer. Tolling crankbaits and drifting bottom bouncers are two tactics often used after dark in August to put walleye in the boat. With 44 miles of shoreline, there is plenty of room for anglers to spread out. There are seven public boat ramps on the reservoir.
Wisconsin: Namekagon trout
The Namekagon River is shallow and rocky. It’s primarily a wade fishing destination, but you can use a canoe or kayak to move downstream. The Namekagon is recognized as a National Wild and Scenic River. Many fly fishermen visit the river in search of brown and brook trout. Dry fly fishing is popular early and late in the day during August. Nymphs and small streamers can pull trout from the shadows during the day. Spin fishermen do well with inline spinners, like Rooster Tails or small stick baits. Below the dam at Namekagon Lake is a popular spot for trout anglers. The Namekagon River Fishery Area north of Hayward offers 153 acres with access to the river.
See you down the trail …
Brandon Butler writes a weekly outdoors column for the Daily Journal. For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on www.driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed. Send comments to [email protected].
