Wisconsin Statewide (Ice) Fishing report 12.9.10With cold temperatures, ice-up was progressing rapidly across the state. Northern lakes have 4 to six inches of ice. Ice is forming on lakes are in central and southern Wisconsin, with some smaller lakes and bays having 2 to 4 inches of ice, but many larger lakes still having open water or minimal ice cover. There were a number of reports of early ice anglers going through the ice this week, including a truck that went through 4 inches of ice on Mirror Lake, an ATV that went through the ice on Lake Koshkonong and an angler going through the ice on Monona Bay in Dane County. Recreational safety specialists caution that ice should never be considered completely safe, but that at least 3 to 4 inches is needed for foot travel, 5 to 6 inches for snowmobile and ATV travel and foot of ice for vehicles. Ice anglers in northwestern Wisconsin should be aware that a number of lakes in Barron, Polk, Burnett, and Washburn counties will have aeration systems operating this winter to maintain areas of open water to add oxygen to water and prevent winterkill of fish. The open water areas will be surrounded by a fence of uprights connected by rope with reflective tape or reflectors.
The first early-season ice fishermen have been creeping out onto a few lakes in the area. However, first-ice success has been generally low for walleye, though bluegill and yellow perch have been providing some fair action. In the south angles were catching panfish on the shallow frozen bays of Madison area lakes.
Cumberland
A number of lakes in Barron, Polk, Burnett, and Washburn counties will have aeration systems operating this winter. The systems are operated by governmental units or lake groups and cause areas on the lakes to remain ice-free. Snowmobilers, anglers, and other lake users should use extra caution on these lakes because of open water. The open water areas should be surrounded by a fence of uprights connected by rope with reflective tape or reflectors. These systems add oxygen to the water all winter and help prevent winterkill of fish and other organisms. The lakes with public access that have aeration systems include: Antler Lake, Bass Lake (McKinley Township), Coon Lake, Diamond Lake, Ice House Lake, Camilia Lake, King ake, Largon Lake, Little Butternut Lake, Lotus (East) Lake, Mckeith (McKeith?) Lake, South Twin Lake and Vincent Lake in Polk County. They also include Chain (Twin) Lake, Desair Lake, Kirby Lake, Prairie Lake, and Staples Lake in Barron County. In Burnett County, there is Green, Point and West Elbow lakes. Washburn County has Little Long in Bashaw Township, Spring Lake in Stone Lake Township, Camp Lake, Ike Walton Pond in Chicog Township, and Priceless Pond in Madge Township.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - The cold weather of the past week has thickened the ice cover on local lakes, with many waters now having between 3 and 5 inches of ice. However, some of the large, deep lakes in the area were still reported to have large expanses of open-water and all recreationalists should be aware of the variable ice conditions. As such, any early season anglers should be extremely cautious when traveling on any water body and be especially wary around inlets, outlets, the centers of the larger lakes, and around any moving water. With upwards of 4 inches of ice on some lakes, the first early-season ice anglers have been creeping out onto a few lakes in the area. However, first-ice success has been generally low for walleye, though yellow perch have been providing some fair action. A few catches of smaller walleye have been reported from the edges of Butternut Lake, the Phillips Chain, and the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, but for the most part fish have been hard to come by. Action should improve by the mid-December period, as thicker ice and a bit of snow cover seem to make the fish less spooky. Walleye anglers should target the deep edges and mud flats in 6 to 10 feet of water, and concentrate their efforts in the low-light periods (early morning and late afternoon hours). For bait, use small-size suckers or golden shiners, and fish them 4 to 8 inches off the bottom. Northern pike anglers should try to find old weed beds and then suspend a large golden shiner just over the top of any green weeds that are found.
Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) - Ice fishing was pretty much in full swing beginning this past weekend. Below normal temperatures and lack of snowfall have helped form some great early December ice. Most lakes have 4-6 inches but as usual, check conditions locally and be extra cautious for the next week or two. Most anglers have been fishing weedy bays and not venturing too far out over deep water. A few bluegills have been caught as well as some walleye, and action is just beginning here. Between now and Christmas is some of the best ice fishing to be had, before things typically slow into January. Remember to fish as light as possible - 1 or 2 lb. test line for panfish; 6 lb. leaders for walleye; and 20 lb. leaders for pike. Mono or fluorocarbon is best.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - Ice has begun to form on the slower moving stretches of the Sheboygan River, but there is still open water in the faster moving areas.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore anglers have been catching a mix of browns and a few rainbows on spawn in the north slip and near the power plant.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee shore fishing has been relatively slow along the lakefront, but a few browns have been taken on spawn sacs fished under the Hoan Bridge.
Racine County - On the Root River in Racine water temperatures are in the 33 to 35 degree range, clarity is very good, and water levels are decent. Fishing effort has dropped dramatically, but those anglers who are out have been successful at times. Most have been picking up coho salmon and brown trout, along with a few steelhead. The highest concentration of fish has been at the Horlick dam, and both small flies and drifting spawn sacs have been productive. The last processing day at the Root River Steelhead Facility was Tuesday, November 16. A total of 3,334 fish were handled at the facility this fall, including 1,508 chinooks, 1,682 coho, 65 steelhead, and 79 brown trout. DNR crews spawned 756 coho at the Root and collected 890,000 eggs. The facility has been shut down for the year.
Rock County - Ice is getting thicker on lakes, but ATV and snowmobile operators should wait a while before venturing out on to the ice. An ATV went through the ice on Lake Koshkonong over the weekend near Bingham Point. Anglers are having some luck catching bluegills near Charley Bluff on Lake Koshkonong.
Willow River State Park - Ice fishing for panfish has been good. Plenty of parking has been plowed out for anglers.
Minocqua Area Fishing Report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/minocquafishingreport.htmChippewa Flowage Fishing Report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/chippewaflowagefishingreport.htmLake Michigan Fishing Report and tips
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htmCentral Wisconsin Fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/wisconsinriverfishingreport.htmInformation compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
