Hey anglers, Chris here with your August 13th fishing forecast! We’re coming off a great weekend and heading into another sunny, warm stretch, likely our last truly hot weekend for a while. That means it’s the perfect time to head to the cottage, hit the lakes, and make the most of the summer bass bite before cooler weather moves in.

Starting next week, expect a sharp drop in temperatures. Daytime highs will settle into the low 20s, and overnight lows could dip into the low teens or even single digits in northern trout country. This shift should open up excellent late-summer trout fishing opportunities and trigger the kickoff of Great Lakes salmon season, especially if rain accompanies the cooldown.

With water temps still warm, bass, musky, carp, and other warmwater species will be the main focus this weekend. For bass, we’ve been having great success with:

Drunk & Disorderly – Small, crankbait-style swim fly with tons of action and vibration, ideal for covering water

RIO Flair Jig – Big black marabou jig that’s both subtle and highly visible; excellent in clear water or for pressured fish.

MFC Mardi Craw – Realistic swimming crayfish pattern, olive is a top producer, but all colors work depending on your local water conditions.

Once the cooler weather hits, freestone and spring-fed streams will drop to trout-safe temps much faster than tailwaters like the Grand, which will likely remain warm for a while. These conditions will bring prime opportunities for late-summer trout fishing. Think smaller nymphs, dries, and streamers.

If rain comes with the temperature drop, salmon could begin moving into rivers soone. Keep an eye on the long-range forecast, and be ready to adjust your plans quickly when conditions line up.