What fish bite in summer in the Midwest?

Walleye, Smallmouth bass and Northern pike. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.

Which lake is best for summer fishing in the Midwest?

Torch Lake in Michigan keeps cold, deep water; Green Lake is a good second choice.

Summer fishing in the Midwest: what bites and where

Summer splits a lake in two: warm water on top, cold below. Fish sit at the edge of the cold, and the best hours are early and late. Here is how the fish of the Midwest behave in summer, and 10 lakes that suit the season.

What the fish do in summer

Walleye: Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
Smallmouth bass: Warm water. Go deeper off rocky points, best early.
Northern pike: Warm water. Bigger fish move deeper; best early.
Yellow perch: Warm water. Look deeper along the weed line.
Catfish: Active. Evenings and nights are best.

1. Torch Lake, Michigan

Torch Lake is a natural lake of some 18,800 acres. You will find it near Rapid City. Smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout and trout are the draw. The deepest water is around 285 ft. Its bed shows three steep ledges and an upper arm worth a first look. Torch Lake is Michigan's deepest inland lake and is famous for its turquoise, Caribbean-like clear water.

Torch Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Green Lake, Wisconsin

Green Lake covers some 7,350 acres. The lake is right by Green Lake. It holds largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike. It goes down to about 237 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. At 237 feet deep, Green Lake is the deepest natural inland lake in Wisconsin.

Green Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Elk Lake, Michigan

At some 7,730 acres, Elk Lake is a good-sized lake. The lake is next to Elk Rapids. It holds lake trout, trout, smallmouth bass and muskie. It goes down to about 192 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Elk Lake is an oligotrophic, deep glacial lake connected to Torch Lake and Lake Skegemog through the Elk River chain of lakes. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

Elk Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Table Rock Lake, Missouri

At some 43,100 acres, Table Rock Lake is a big lake. Largemouth bass, crappie, white bass and walleye are the draw. At about 220 ft deep, it stays cooler below the surface well into summer. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work.

Table Rock Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake Oahe, South Dakota

At 370,000 acres, Lake Oahe is a huge piece of water. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. The deepest water is around 205 ft. Its bed shows two sheltered coves and two point drop-offs worth a first look.

Lake Oahe today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota

Lake Sakakawea spreads over 307,000 acres of water. Expect walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and catfish. It goes down to about 180 ft. The lake bed gives you two sheltered coves and a wind-blown bank to work.

Lake Sakakawea today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. West Okoboji Lake, Iowa

West Okoboji Lake spreads over some 3,850 acres. You will find it next to Arnolds Park. The fish here are yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass. The deepest water is around 136 ft. West Lake Okoboji is Iowa's deepest lake and is listed among the state's Outstanding Iowa Waters for its exceptional water clarity. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

West Okoboji Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Leech Lake, Minnesota

Leech Lake spreads over 103,000 acres of water. Expect walleye, muskie, northern pike and yellow perch. The deepest water is around 156 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three steep ledges and a wind-blown bank: good places to start.

Leech Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Trout Lake, Wisconsin

Trout Lake spreads over some 3,970 acres. The lake is about 9.8 miles southwest of Lac du Flambeau. It holds lake trout, walleye, northern pike and muskie. The deepest water is around 117 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Trout Lake is one of the primary research lakes of the North Temperate Lakes Long-Term Ecological Research site, one of the longest-running lake studies in the world. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help.

Trout Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Lake McConaughy, Nebraska

Lake McConaughy spreads over 35,700 acres. It holds walleye, striped bass, trout and white bass. It goes down to about 142 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a wind-blown bank worth a first look.

Lake McConaughy today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Reading the water

In summer the surface temperature tells you most of what you need: each LakeScope lake page shows today's reading, the wind and the best bite windows, so you can pick the lake and the hour before you leave home.