The bite on Lake Menomin is finally starting to become more consistent, not only for Panfish, but Walleye as well. These cool nights are finally starting to drop the surface temp (69-71degrees last night) and I would expect the lake to turn here in the next few weeks, meanwhile waiting for the algae to start dying off. For now the green is here and deterring many folks from coming out on the lake, but that doesn’t mean the fish aren’t biting!
It seems many styles and methods have been putting fish in the boat but some with more consistency than others.
Trolling the main lake has been very hit-or-miss for me. Mainly slow trolling (1.8mph) #7 Flickershads and #5 Jointed Shad Raps over 13fow has yielded walleye, some pike and smallmouth, and a few crappies hooking up. I’ve found that going slow has been crucial as well as occasionally pumping the rod forward and triggering bites while dropping the rod-tip back.
If nothing is going on crankbaits, slowly pulling spinner rigs with crawlers over these same areas has produced with less numbers but better quality. My only gripe with pulling spinner/crawler combos are that the small pesky perch and little smallmouth seem to nip away at the crawler till it’s gone 
I’ve been finding Bluegills fishing the cribs as well as a few steep shorelines. A simple plain hook/earthworm under a bobber placed a foot or so off the bottom does the trick just fine.
The crappies have been a little less consistent but showing steady presence all around the lake. I’ve caught them trolling cranks, bobber fishing, and dragging small jig’s tipped with a crappie minnow. The best method of targeting these specs for me has been again, a simple hook/crappie minnow under a bobber placed several feet off the bottom. I’ve also noticed that a few of the crappies are starting to frequent their typical fall haunts, suspending a few feet off the bottom in deeper 13+fow.
It’s quite apparent that the green water is keeping many boats off the water. Last night we only saw 2 other boats out all evening! While Menomin does experience one heck of an algae-bloom, what most people don’t realize is that normally only small portions of the lake are plagued with the thick green slop, and the other portions are pretty clear. Stay in the clean part and your good to go!
Overall Lake Menomin seems to be in pretty good shape and it looks like we’re setting up for yet another great fall bite! It won’t be long now and the lake will be clear, trolling rods will be put away, and the slip-bobber / jigging rods will be out!
Good Fishing guy’s, we’ll see ya out there!
Pete
Nice report Pete!
I see some definite similarities between Lake Menominee & Lake Wisconsin. Algae for one but also in the areas where your catching early fall panfish.
Intersting that you are going to put you’re trolling rods away soon. Come October, more and more Lake Wisconsin walleye fisherman will be pulling out the lead core rods.
Just curious if you have experienced a similar bite for October walleyes on Lake Menominee?
Nice Report! Makin me wish I was still at school
Nice report Pete. Action should continue to get better with falling water temps, but it will be a while yet before there is a significant clearing of the green.
I took the boys to Point Comfort last nite for a bit just to play in the park…nasty. Between the stench and mosquitos…didn’t last long. I think you could walk across Butch’s Bay with a running start. I won’t be launching there for a while.
Hey Joel,
For me it’s based more on personal preference. I know Don Hanson has mentioned a fall trolling bite on Menomin in the past, but I’ve never been able to successfully dial a steady pattern in. Picking up a fish or two here and there, sometimes a few more, but nothing real consistent. Maybe Don, or one of the other guy’s will chime in with their experience on Menomin Fall Trolling.
Great report Pete!
According to my nose report from the office on the west side of the lake–I’d recommend fishing the east side.
Like Don, I have not been able to put together a consistant fall trolling bite-but like the rest of the year, featureless flats lead to randomness and nomadic nature-so really no different than the rest of the year. Covering the water column from top to bottom (I caught more walleyes within 4 feet of the surface this year than ever) and covering water. Much like fishing no mans land on Pepin, keep your trail function active and hit an icon everytime you hit a fish-then a pattern for the short term can be found.
Once the fall temps set in, many species will stabilize and be in the usual haunts—hope for rain and moving water so the 94 bridge pitching bite kicks in.
Great report Pete!
You gotta love those multi-species days! 
Great report about Menomin Pete
Someday………..
Great report Pete. The tiller is leaving for the IDO houseboat trip on Tue. but when they get back, we need to get out. Hope all is well with you.
Thanks Guys!
Agreed Doc, Cooler weather cannot come soon enough
Jeff, you’re welcome up here anytime. Shoot me a PM and we’ll set something up
Hey Dan, All I’ve been thinking about is that trip, I’m excited to get up there! I’ll have to take a peak at the tiller while I’m there
When I get back I predict a hot crappie bite
Keep in touch, we’ll hit the water 
Great report Pete!
I hope you have fun up there. I tried to make it work, but I just couldn’t do it. I would have liked to meet a bunch of you guys too… maybe next year? Good luck fishin!
Nice job Pete