07/24/2026
🎣 Ross's Sport Shop Weekly Phillips Area Fishing Report 🎣
Hey anglers, this is Fishing Guide John Carlson, and here's your Phillips Area Fishing Report!
The cool nights this past week—with overnight lows in the low to mid-40s—and a few cooler days have dropped water temperatures from the low to mid-80s down into the low to mid-70s. That's a welcome change and has started to improve fishing conditions across the area.
🎣 Largemouth Bass
While the water was over 80 degrees, we held off on musky trips to avoid stressing the fish and spent our time chasing largemouth bass instead—with great success. Senkos have been the top producer, especially wacky-rigged and weedless-rigged presentations. We also caught fish on frogs, topwaters, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits.
🐟 Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth fishing has also been very good. Look for fish relating to rocky areas in slightly deeper water. Plastics continue to produce well, and anglers who prefer live bait are doing well with leeches.
🎣 Walleyes
Walleye action slowed during the hottest water but is beginning to improve as temperatures cool. Our best presentations have been:
- Slip bobber and a leech
- Jig and a leech
- A light jig tipped with half a nightcrawler
The bite has been very subtle, so use a medium-light rod with an extra-fast tip, such as a St. Croix Avid, along with a 1/16-ounce jig or lighter to detect those light pickups.
🐊 Muskies
We're finally back chasing muskies on lakes with water temperatures around 72–74 degrees. We've already been moving fish, although they're mostly short-striking right now. Topwaters, live bait, and bucktails have all been producing follows and strikes.
With warmer weather returning later this week, we're hoping water temperatures too out in that 77–78 degree range. Largemouth bass and northern pike, however, continue to thrive in the warmer water.
🎉 Weekend Reminder
Don't forget it's Butternut Pioneer Days this weekend, so there will be plenty happening around the north end of the county.
Stop into Ross's Sport Shop, say hello, and let us know you saw this fishing report. Be sure to follow our page for the latest fishing reports, tackle updates, and local fishing information.
Good luck, and as always… Tight Fins Braids!
