In fact, many diehards will still be casting or trolling come mid-October to late November, when filling the freezer with venison and other wild game is on the minds of a majority of outdoors enthusiasts.
Right now, the Green Bay focus is largely on yellow perch and walleyes for eating and smallmouth bass for catch-and-release action. Plenty of bonus species like northern pike, sheepshead and catfish also being hooked. Brown trout are also available, especially in deeper water off Peshtigo and Marinette.
Meanwhile, Lake Michigan’s ever-changing water temperatures from frequent wind switches have had salmon and trout as shallow as a mile or two off shore to deeper in the water column, 3 to 10 miles out.
We’re nearing the pre-spawn staging phase for browns and Chinooks, peaking in September when many enter the rivers. A few cohos may arrive early, but most will be seen in October with the bulk of the browns. Both species spawn after Chinooks.
For the latest best bets to wet a line, stop by your favorite bay or lake bait and tackle shop.
One of the most popular shows on the Outdoor America network is Their Life, My Lens, hosted by Chasten Whitfield.
Now in its fifth season, the show allows Whitfield to fish her local Florida waters while sharing stories of courageous and inspiring people and teacher new fishing techniques.
Whitfield works to help disadvantaged kids forget their troubles by sharing the joys of fishing, helping them put all their worries away and make good choices.
“It’s incredible to see how many people are tuning in to watch these kids fish, and hear their inspiring stories,” Whitfield said. “People are thanking us for showcasing these kids’ abilities and telling us it’s inspired them to chase their own goals.”
For more information on Chasten Whitfield, visit https://chastenation.com. For additional info on Outdoor America and all of its programs, visit https://www.outdooramerica.com.
The NRA Foundation’s 2026 grant applications are now open. Since its inception in 1990, The Foundation has awarded over $509 million in support of more than 65,000 grants to eligible nonprofit organizations. These grants are a critical resource for programs that promote firearm safety, youth education, law enforcement training, conservation efforts, and marksmanship instruction.
As the charitable arm of the National Rifle Association, The NRA Foundation allocates 50 percent of net proceeds from local Friends of NRA events to fund programs within the states where the funds are raised. The remaining 50 percent is used to support national initiatives including Youth and Women’s Programs, Range Services, and the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program.
Last year, the NRA Foundation awarded more than $8.8 million to nonprofit organizations through its State Fund Grant Program. To learn more, visit https://www.nrafoundation.org/grants/.
Drivers who hit deer (or others who may be interested) can legally salvage what they can from the carcass once they report it.
A phone line — 608-267-7691 — is staffed daily 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. After hours, leave a voice message with your name, call-back number with area code, deer location (road name, township, county) and whether the deer was a buck, doe or fawn.
By leaving a message, you are authorized to take possession of the whole carcass. A DNR dispatcher will call you the next morning for additional information.
Alternatively, you can register a vehicle-killed deer or turkey online at https://gowild.wi.gov/wildlife/harvest/carkill.
Despite all the recent rain, Lake Michigan’s water levels have dropped about an inch in the past month, and are down eight inches in the past year. Levels have fallen 37 inches since the record high in 2020, but are still 28 inches above the record monthly low, set in 1964.
Meanwhile, Superior’s water levels rose four inches since mid-July, and are up an inch from this time last year. As of Aug. 15, levels were only about an inch below the 100-year average, but had declined 14 inches since the record high in 2019. Lake levels were about 20 inches above the record monthly low, set in 2007.
Moultrie game cameras has a new Edge Solar trail camera with a solar panel three times larger than the nearest competitor, enabling faster recharging without worrying about battery drain.
In addition to its size, the integrated solar panel has turn and tilt capabilities. This allows you to dodge solar flares, delivering clear images. Moultrie also includes a rechargeable battery in the unit. If it works as advertised, this could be an ideal setup for anyone who doesn’t want to worry about maintenance.
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