Warm weather returns

By Bill Bartusek, Outdoors columnist

Warm weather has finally returned to the area after a very cool spring. Summer-like weather has brought Mother Nature back to normal. Fish in area lakes started to spawn and act normally.

During the cool period fish were actually confused. Now they are settling into normal summer patterns. Weeds too have caught up and are as thick as ever.

The bite seems to be pretty good, especially for panfish. They are hungry and feeding heavily after a rigorous spawn. Bass are also hitting very well now that they are settling into their summer pattern. Of course, both the panfish and bass are in or very near weeds. Walleye and other pike are still feeding but are a little slower because of the warm weather. In the North Country, walleye are still biting. Water is at about the 70-degree range now and the fish are liking it.

Lakes all over the state are below normal levels despite recent rains. Anglers have to adjust to this by fishing some new spots. Some areas that are normally good fishing spots are still too shallow to hold fish. I'm not sure if lakes will get back to normal levels anytime soon. That would take a lot of rain. Anglers will just have to deal with the conditions just like they always do. That's what makes fishing such a challenge. Things are never predictable.