'In the Boat'
September 16, 2026

September 8 & 14, 2026 - Navajo Lake

Water Temp: 68-72°F

Conditions: Calm and cloudy after heavy storms.

Species caught: Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Bluegill

Things are changing. We have had severe storms and a drop in temperatures. Fish are on more obscure structure than even a few weeks ago. Two good fish came on topwater on the final two casts of the day, around 2pm. A week later, we could not get bit on a topwater bait.

There are still megaschools of bluegill on every point. However, almost every fish caught in the last week was caught around smaller bait - likely 1-year-old crappie. Pike can be vertical jigged on livescope. Larger hooks and larger or steel leader in recommended.

September 9, 2026 - McPhee Reservoir

Conditions: Calm and sunny with wind building in the afternoon.

Species caught: Smallmouth bass, Walleye

There are a lot of smallmouth in McPhee. They are relatively easy to find, and while they spit up a lot of green craws when caught, most of them were caught on shad color baits and refused a green worm.

My clients were after walleye and I was able to locate one wad of them near the ramp, in 12 feet of muddy water. They were mixed with smallmouth and I could only get a couple of smaller ones to bite. Perfecting the walleye bite at McPhee will have to wait until next time!

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