What do you do when the walleye fishing slows in August on Pool 4? You can always take advantage of some of the other species offering fantastic action… namely northern pike and bass which both offer fantastic late summer action!
The walleye bite in the river north of Lake Pepin has been tough with many anglers struggling to consistently catch legal fish. Luckily for me I’ve been playing with the bass and pike over the last couple weeks so I haven’t had to pound my head against the wall trying to put customers on fish. The reports I’ve heard from others fishing the river have been slow indeed. If I was going to go out looking for a few walleyes in the next week or two I’d opt for the wingies on Pool 3 or the area near Wabasha for the best shot at a good bite. 
I fished with Steve Bunning and fishing buddy Tom on the day in question when all the fish in this report were caught. This pair fished with me back in June and had a very good walleye outing and wanted to come back later in the summer to tap into some of the other species Pool 4 has to offer…. and their timing was "right on" for the pike bite!
When water temps get high in the summer the big pike seek out cooler water. Some pike opt to move deeper and these fish can be tough to locate. Many others move in numbers toward feeder creeks dumping cooler water into the big lake. I’ve caught some of my largest pike trolling deep suspended fish but these guys wanted to cast for their pike… so off to the tributaries we went!
Casting 1/2 ounce rattle traps in chrome blue was the presentation responsible for the majority of our fish. One fish came on the venerable red and white daredevil while every spinner or spinnerbait I threw was completely ignored. We fished these baits on 6′ 8" St.Croix spinning rods with reels spooled with 14Lb fireline. I like chasing pike with these lighter rods and line as it really maximizes the fight these water rockets give an angler…. while still being able to land each fish relatively quickly which allows successful releases on the larger fish.
We have an amazing population of nice pike on Pool 4 right now with many of our fish coming to the boat in the 32" – 40" range. These fish are amazing fighters and care should be taken to not over-harvest the larger pike. Keep a few 24" – 30" pike for a meal and let those "dream makers" swim free to put a smile on the next angler!
We also ran into a nice batch of large and smallmouth bass as we tossed rattle traps around inlets and along deep rip rap out in the lake. We had smallies up to 19" out on Lake Pepin and one dandy 18" largie show in the last photo. The bass were absolutely inhaling our rattle traps with the fish in the photo completely engulfing the bait. We found that the pike preferred a "dead steady" retrieve while the bass seemed to be turned on by a "flutter and pump" retrieve that allowed the bait to fall slightly when the rod tip was lowered and the retrieve paused briefly. When the rod tip was raised back to the starting position and the reel handle was turned it was …. "FISH ON!"
I’ve got a number of pike and bass trips scheduled this month so I’ll do my best to keep everyone up-to-date on what ever bite I run into out on the lake. Typically we see an excellent bite for both species so if the walleyes are giving you fits its time to switch gears and chase some of the other great fish pool 4 has to offer.
Photos can be enlarged by clicking on them!
A couple more pike from our trip.
Last one. I had a great time fishing with you Steve and Tom. See ya’ in October!
Walleye guide “Converted” perhaps????
No… more like knowing when to be “distracted.”
Those pike are a blast on lighter gear.
So what’s the next “distraction”?
Nice report and great pics!
I like cats. Vick and I used to sneak out and chase the kitties after dark all the time when he still ran the resort. Unfortunately we brought beer and our attention to catching fish was usually a little “off.”
I’m actually planning on doing very little walleye fishing prior to my guide run to Mille Lacs Lake in September. Until then I’m going to chase bass and pike on the Mississippi River and muskies up on the St. Louis if I can get Vick to toss me another invite or three.
You’re not getting a real job, are you?
I was always hoping I could live vicariously through you…
Guiding for pike and bass is my ‘real’ job until I put my walleye hat back on.
Anyone want to go catch a bunch of smallies and some slabo pike? 
I used to guide for bass all the time up until a couple seasons ago. To be honest, I miss it and the variety helps clear the mind and it makes it that much easier to get all hyped back up about the fall walleye bite on the river.
I heard it’s good to wear gloves when handling snot rockets. Is that true? If you were someone like, oh….let’s say PUTZ who handles Lutey often, I spose you could get by….
I don’t care what anybody says, those are some nice fish there!
No gloves here… I’ll leave that for the “true” cat guys… lol
You’re invited once, twice and three times!
James,
that was a dyno report!
Anybody up for splitting a trip? I’m open any day except August 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th or Labor Day weekend.
I’m serious. That repo got my toothy instincts on high alert!
James, if you know of anybody who wants to split the cost of a full day I can be there on fairly short notice.
VERY nice fish!!! What a day on the water you guys had.
Thanks for sharing the report and pics. 
Thanks, Bill
I haven’t had any “singles” contact me so to this point I’m of no help. I will keep my ears open though as I’d love to fish with you again Steve.
Nice ‘Ski on the St Louie there, James!
The last two weekends in August I’ll be going to Northern WI chasing the elusive muskie myself.
I know you aren’t doing 1/2 days so I’m looking for someone to help me defray costs. Let me know if you hear anything.
Thanks
If I have a single come forward I’ll holler at you. Good luck on the pike in WI!
James,
Very nice Pike, I talked to Steve the other day. Sure does sound like you are a true Essox Man. Keep those pics a comin’, thanks. Jack..
Nice fish and report H2O