Mike Norris Outdoors

09/01/2026

As we turn the calendar to September, we’re supposedly deep into those dreaded “dog days” of summer—hot weather, warm water and tough fishing.

Well… I must have missed that memo!

Because judging by what’s been coming over the side of my boat lately, the fish apparently missed it too! 😎

The late-summer bite has been anything but slow. Find the right water, put the right presentation in front of them, and there are still plenty of willing customers out there.

Who else is ready for some September fishing?

08/30/2026

🎣 So Much for the “Tough Fishing” Reports!

A trip to Cedarburg, Wisconsin, to enjoy some outdoor concerts just wouldn’t be complete for Bob and Eileen Rice of Des Plaines, Illinois, without making a stop at Big Green Lake to join me for a fishing excursion!

I had just returned from a couple of days down in Illinois, and the reports I was hearing weren’t exactly encouraging: “Fishing has been tough.”

Well… somebody apparently forgot to tell the fish! 😄

Bob, Eileen and I hit the water, went to work, and judging by the photos below, I’d say we can crumple up that “tough fishing” memo and toss it overboard!

Great company, plenty of laughs, and some cooperative Big Green Lake fish made for another memorable day on the water.

Take a look at the photos and decide for yourself… does that look like tough fishing to you? 🎣😎

08/24/2026

🎣 THERE’S STILL TIME — DON’T MISS YOUR CHANCE! 🎣

Renew your membership—or become a new member—of the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame and you’ll automatically be entered in the Grand Slam Membership Drive Drawing!

🏆 And here’s where it gets exciting…

You could win a FREE GUIDED FISHING TRIP with one of the Hall of Fame anglers listed below! Imagine spending a day on the water fishing alongside one of freshwater fishing’s most accomplished anglers, picking up tips, techniques, and stories along the way.

🎟️ The bigger your membership package, the more chances you receive to win!

So if you’ve been thinking about renewing—or joining for the first time—now is the time to do it.

Support the Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, help preserve the history and traditions of the sport we love, and you just might find yourself sharing a boat with a Hall of Famer!

🎣 JOIN. SUPPORT. FISH. WIN! 🏆

Don’t wait—the Grand Slam is still within reach!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cEjMP1iZL/?mibextid=wwXIfr

With 2026 fast coming, it’s time to announce Grandt Rods www.grandtrods.com giant membership drive/giveaway program for the new year. Join our great organization today and you could win one of five fantastic prizes. Join on-line at www.freshwater-fishing.org. Scroll down to Become/Renew Membership.
Thank you to this year’s contributors (Hall of Famers all) and thank you for becoming a member of the premier organization dedicated to the celebration of the history and heritage of fresh water sportfishing.

08/22/2026

What a difference a day makes!

08/19/2026

08/19/2026

🎣 Sometimes the best fishing days are the ones that don’t go according to plan!

I arrived at the Green Lake boat launch around 11:00 yesterday morning for a half-day trip with Bob Evans. The plan was to chase bluegills, but before we got serious about that, we decided to check out the bass bite.

Good thing we did!

With very little boat traffic, nice cloud cover, and just a light breeze, the bass were definitely in a cooperative mood. In fact, they seemed to be waiting for us. They bit everywhere we stopped! 🎣

What started as a bluegill trip quickly turned into one heck of a bass outing with my largest bass measuring 21 1/4 inches.

Around 3:30, I looked west and noticed some pretty ominous-looking clouds heading our way. As my good friend Dale Bowman would say…

“It was time.” 😳⛈️

We headed for the launch, got the boat on the trailer, buttoned down all the straps, and were just about ready to pull out of the parking lot when both of our phones lit up with a message that definitely got our attention.

And after reading it, we were VERY glad we decided to call it a day when we did.

Take a look at the warning in the photos below. 👇

Great bass fishing, good company, and Mother Nature giving us a not-so-subtle reminder that sometimes knowing when to leave is just as important as knowing where to fish!

08/19/2026

Jeff Gustafson

08/18/2026

When the dog days of August arrive, bass often head deeper—and they’re usually following the groceries! Schools of emerald shiners, bluegills, and perch gather along the deep weedlines, and the bass aren’t far behind.

Last Saturday, Russ Grimm and I found them right where they were supposed to be, and swim jigs were the ticket! 🔥

Find the deep weeds. Find the bait. Find the bass! 🎣

08/04/2026

After boating a 20¾-inch largemouth bass in mid-July, Russ Grimm decided he had unfinished business. He came back with one goal in mind: catch a 20¾-inch smallmouth bass and see if lightning could strike twice.

Well… mission accomplished!

His smallmouth stretched to the exact same 20¾ inches as his largemouth. Unfortunately for Russ, nobody told the smallmouth it was supposed to hit the weight room. As every bass angler knows, a smallmouth may match a largemouth inch for inch, but it usually comes up a little shy in the “beef” department.

Still, when you’re catching twin 20¾-inch bass of two different species, it’s safe to say Russ is having a pretty good summer. The only thing left is to convince that smallmouth to start eating cheeseburgers!

08/03/2026

As the final week of July rolled around, perennial customers Gene Smelko and Gene Surico joined me for another day chasing bass on Big Green Lake.

The bass cooperated and kept us plenty busy. Then we decided to spend a little time scouting deeper water for jumbo bluegills. Our electronics lit up with fish, and we were already congratulating ourselves on finding a mother lode of ’gills.

Turns out those “bluegills” had been hitting the gym. They were walleyes! Apparently, even the fish like to keep us guessing. Sometimes the best catches are the ones you weren’t looking for!