Yellow Perch fishing at Sleepy Island

Spring yellow perch on Sleepy Island hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. Summer pushes them deeper, 7 to 23 ft, and winter fish settle into 7 to 23 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Deep basin: a deep basin around 20 ft that scores prime in fall. Plan around early morning in the warm months. Tie on a drop-shot micro plastics or a small spoon tipped with worm and you're in the game.

Northern Pike fishing at Sleepy Island

Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. By summer they slide out to 8 to 20 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 15 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Break off the point: a drop-off around 10 ft that scores prime in fall. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage covers the summer program.

Bluegill fishing at Sleepy Island

In spring, bluegill run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. By summer they slide out to 4 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 7 to 23 ft. Deep basin is the standout, a deep basin at roughly 20 ft, rated prime for winter bluegill. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a small sponge spider (fly) or a micro tube jig and you're in the game.

How deep is Sleepy Island?

Sleepy Island is about 23 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 Sleepy Island?

Anglers target northern pike, bluegill, yellow perch on Sleepy Island.

Where is the best fishing spot on Sleepy Island?

Deep basin is the top-rated area: a deep basin in about 20 ft of water that rates prime for yellow perch in fall. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.

When is the best time to fish Sleepy Island?

For yellow perch, 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.