Cisco (Lake Herring) fishing at Hoot

Start shallow in spring: cisco (lake herring) sit in 5 to 20 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 6 to 20 ft, and winter fish hold in 6 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Deep basin, a deep basin in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning. Summer baits: a vertical flutter spoon (small) or a drop-shot micro plastic gets it done.

Walleye fishing at Hoot

Spring walleye on Hoot hold shallow, usually 4 to 15 ft. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for fall walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.

Yellow Perch fishing at Hoot

Spring yellow perch on Hoot hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 6 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. The spot to know is Shallow bay flat, a weed flat in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in spring. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm gets it done.

Northern Pike fishing at Hoot

In spring, northern pike run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 8 to 20 ft, and winter fish settle into 5 to 15 ft. Shallow bay flat is the standout, a weed flat at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring northern pike. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage and you're in the game.

Muskellunge fishing at Hoot

Start shallow in spring: muskellunge sit in 3 to 12 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 6 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 6 to 20 ft. Break off the point is the standout, a drop-off at roughly 9 ft, rated prime for fall muskellunge. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a double-10 bucktail or a topwater (walk-the-dog / creeper) and you're in the game.

Smallmouth Bass fishing at Hoot

In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 6 to 20 ft in summer and finish the year down in 6 to 20 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Main-lake point: a point around 8 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.

How deep is Hoot?

Hoot is about 20 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.

What fish are in Hoot?

Anglers target largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, crappie, bluegill, muskellunge, yellow perch, common carp, burbot, rock bass, cisco (lake herring), pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, lake sturgeon on Hoot.

Where is the best fishing spot on Hoot?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 17 ft of water that rates prime for cisco (lake herring) in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Hoot?

For cisco (lake herring), the summer bite is best in early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.