Vilas walleyes

[gary]

I am heading up to the Boulder Junction area the week of July 4th. I have a few questions:

1) What is the weed growth development especially since the type of spring that we have had?

2) What is working better for walleyes; red tail chubs or leeches?

3) What type of jig size, color selection and depth would you recommend for this time of year for A) clear lakes B) stained lakes?

4) What is the mayfly hatch situation?

Any information would be greatly appreciated?

[eye guy]

I was just up there for the last two weekends, The weather has been good and weed groth is the same as always this time of year.The mayfly hatch happened last week. This is a good time to find walleyes in the shallows with crank baits.However in July nightcrawlers are the ticket. If you are looking for big eyes go to deep structure 30-60 ft. you can use lindy on snagg sinkers with a long snell and a bare hook {extra tip}use a colored beed just ahead of the hook fish it as vertical as posable using your trolling motor over and around deep structure.This is not concidered moyor trolling by the DNR I checked with them last year just to be on the save side. For eaters hit shallow water around islands , dams ,weeds , wood you should fill the cooler. P.s. after you catch'em pick up some of this new breading I found up there its the best I ever had called Legendary Northwoods just rince the fish in water and put them in the breading realy cool. hope this helps good luck

[FJH1]

Eye guy, thanks for the Vilas tips. We have a place west of Minocqua and I'll be up there for a couple of weeks in early July. I'll probably get over to the Cisco Chain a couple of times. Interesting about your comment regarding the no-snagg fishing with the trolling motor. I've checked with the dnr regarding this as well and they really seem to waffle on the issue - can't seem to get a straight answer. I've always been told that you can use the trolling motor while "position fishing", however, you must cast out and retrieve. I'd love to "position fish" with a no-snagg and vertically work structure, but have always been concerned I'd be ticketed for "trolling" since I wouldn't be casting and immediately retrieving.

Best Regards,

FJH