Balsam slump, No fish

Well I was on vacation last week and again this weekend. I fished most days either morning or evening or both. Yet no fish to talk about. I small walleye, several small small mouth and that is it. Thank goodness for the bluegill so we got to have a dinner at least. All the spots i normally fish that produce there seems to be nothing, weed growth seems to be behind and water temp is on par. We are into the second week in July now. I have tried slip bobber with worm and leech. Swim baits, crank baits, trolling worm harness, casting worm harness etc. I don’t even see bass in places i normally see them cruising. I. Struggle with small mouth this time of year until about mid August or so , but walleye i always get here and there. I still think it has a lot to do with the weed growth from observations over the years but not sure. I wish i could report with lots of pictures of nice fish. The heat on the other had has made for nice boating and swimming and the odd refreshment when the keys are hung up. I even was over to Cameron a few times with the same result but a bit better weed growth. It is mostly the cabbage weed i find is the most behind. Good luck out there

I am sure when Crappeeman sees this he will put you on the straight and narrow.

Arnie

I spoke to a guy last week about Balsam walleye. Apparently the weeds are dying off at the bottom over the last several years. As more sunlight gets through, the walleye have no where to hide from the sun.

I agree with longfish..... it is only a matter of time....haha.
Looking forward to 'crappeeemans' post.

Hmmmm...he must be working 24/7 right now.

Arnie

I have spent most weekends since the bass season has opened on Balsam, tiring to locate Mr. Bass, ..my results have been very-very disappointing, with only a few bass caught & released.
I've tried most of my honey holes/way points, i.e.; humps, weed lines, rock/bolder flats, rock patches within weedy areas, you name it.. this time last year, I probably had 20-25 bass pic's as proof I actually catch & release them.
What surprises me this year, is the large quantity of green algae/slim blooms present, located in the open bodies. i.e.: back side of Indian pt. & Burnet shore etc.
I've also noticed, many juvenile pike located within my typical bass spots, that I haven't seen or noticed from years prior. it's so bad, that I've added a very light wire leader(s) to some of my rods.
Hopefully things will pick up, till then, tight lines, see you out on the water..

You are right Arnie I was sleeping and working and sleeping and working ect. ect. That's hilarious Arnie that you said straight and narrow, because that is where you will find the walleye and many more fish, in the straights and narrows. You guys are right about the weed growth this year. Don't worry the weeds are not dying, that is old weeds floating away. It is just slow so far this year because of water levels and weather. For Balsam lake it started the first week of April with water levels much higher than usual. This slowed the weed growth from ice out until now. The water levels in general have been higher than the average on Balsam lake so far this season. Sturgeon lake is around normal weed growth. Cameron lake has been up and down all over the map all season, and so has the fishing. For Balsam lake right now you will find walleye looking for food where the water has current. If you are stubborn like me and want to fish your usual spots......SLOW DOWN. You must slow down your presentation in your usual spots, and also fish later in the day/night or cloudy windy days. The walleye are around, on the bottom, but very lazy right now in Balsam lake areas that have no water movement. Find the moving water and find the walleye. Let me know if this was helpful. Looking forward to seeing some pictures as fishing is not happening for me yet. LOL. Getting ready to go to work right now. UGH!!!! Good luck and stay safe.

Yes gdavidson i have also noticed the algae this year coving the bottom in places i have not seen it this bad before. As for young pike i have not caught or seen one for close to a month. I was out this morning and had a large smallie chase me to the boat and another on just at the boat briefly. Good luck it will likely pick up later in Augudt again

You are right Arnie I was sleeping and working and sleeping and working ect. ect. That's hilarious Arnie that you said straight and narrow, because that is where you will find the walleye and many more fish, in the straights and narrows. You guys are right about the weed growth this year. Don't worry the weeds are not dying, that is old weeds floating away. It is just slow so far this year because of water levels and weather. For Balsam lake it started the first week of April with water levels much higher than usual. This slowed the weed growth from ice out until now. The water levels in general have been higher than the average on Balsam lake so far this season. Sturgeon lake is around normal weed growth. Cameron lake has been up and down all over the map all season, and so has the fishing. For Balsam lake right now you will find walleye looking for food where the water has current. If you are stubborn like me and want to fish your usual spots......SLOW DOWN. You must slow down your presentation in your usual spots, and also fish later in the day/night or cloudy windy days. The walleye are around, on the bottom, but very lazy right now in Balsam lake areas that have no water movement. Find the moving water and find the walleye. Let me know if this was helpful. Looking forward to seeing some pictures as fishing is not happening for me yet. LOL. Getting ready to go to work right now. UGH!!!! Good luck and stay safe.

Thanks Crappeeeman i am hoping when the weeds mature the walleye will be there. It has been a strange year for sure no even any pike for a bit now.I have to slow my offerings down even slower and maybe find some current. I hope you get out fishing soon. I am off for another weeks vacation mid August so this might be better by then. I will be fishing weekends between now and the next holiday.

Wish I could get up there right now, because the next 48 hours will be perfect for catching walleye. If you don't mind some wind and rain, today will be great, and tonight. Tomorrow and tomorrow night, very good as well. And with any luck the thunder storms will not show up on Saturday. This will be a perfect walleye weekend in the Kawarthas, but obviously don't fish if a thunder storm shows up here and there. Good luck to anyone that goes after some walleye this weekend. Don't forget a picture or two or three. Stay safe. I will be stuck at work.

I have been fishing for walleye since opener mostly at night not catching anything before 9pm or later. down in south bay.

So you have not been catching any walleye after dark this season. Could you give a bit more detail please. Maybe someone on here could give you a tip or two.

Sorry meant to say not catching before dark, after 9pm fishing is great.

I am glad to here that, wasn't sure what you meant. I have to get out to Balsam, so far this year Sturgeon has been it for me. Only been up to the family house 4 times. They are starting to wonder what we look like. LOL. Thanks for your post.

I might have to start fishing later, usually the bugs chase me in around 9pm or so. I fished South Bay earlier in the spring for pike ,bluegill and crappie, don’t get down there much but might have to start working those weeds. Good luck