Wisconsin Statewide Fishing report 3.2.12Ice remains solid in much of the north, but river systems are opening and snow could cover thin ice, so caution is urged in some areas of the north, along with the south. Some anglers, including Lake Winnebago in Outagamie County, were removing ice fishing houses before Sunday?s deadline.
Late season ice fishing success on northern lakes continued to be limited, with the action for all species erratic. Some fair action has been reported with walleyes, but only during the day and for short periods, usually dawn and dusk. Fishing for northern pike and perch has also been variable. Panfish action continues to be slow, with anglers really having move around and search for the active fish.
Anglers are reminded that the game fish season ends Sunday, but the early catch and release trout season opens on Saturday, with state fisheries biologists saying trout populations are very strong across the state and with the mild weather in the south this winter, fish in southern streams should be active and access should be excellent.
Rivers ? including the Oconto and Wisconsin ? continue to open up, along with bays and harbors. Fox Point in Brown County has open water and fishing boats are out jigging for walleye and anglers continue to report good success for whitefish off Bay Shore.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) Ice depths have ranged from 15-20 inches on most lake, but up to 17 inches of new snow has created some difficult traveling conditions. Prior to this latest snowstorm, many lakes already had areas of deep snow and some slush, and the current heavy snows will likely curtail any motorized access to the lakes for the next few weeks. Variable weather conditions made for another erratic week of fishing. The best success came from tip-up anglers using suckers in 6 -10 feet of water. Most of the fish have been in the 10-14-inch range, but a few up to 23 inches have also been reported. Panfish success has been especially slow lately, with anglers really having to work to find fish. A few nice crappie and perch have been caught, but anglers have also had to move to find them. Northern pike action is fair at best. On many pike lakes in the north, anglers have had to move their baits up a couple feet off the bottom. This is to get above the low oxygen levels that are starting to show up on these generally shallow and weedy lakes.
Door County With the winds and warm temperatures the past few days, Sturgeon Bay anglers were seeing open water from Bullhead Point past the yacht club through to Lake Michigan. Anglers have been fishing Sawyer Harbor with some success with perch, northern pike, and whitefish. Anglers have been targeting perch and whitefish in 10-15 feet of water. Perch have been biting small minnows on an ice jig. Anglers are taking whitefish with the usual Swedish pimple tipped with a wax worm or Gulp. Sand Bay anglers have been fishing whitefish with good success in 20-60 feet of water. Anglers have also been targeting walleye along Larsen?s Reef and having some success at dusk and dawn. Most anglers are using oddball jigs tipped with a minnow. Inside the bay of Little Sturgeon, anglers have been targeting perch with fair success. Most have been finding the fish in 15-20 feet of water. Whitefish have also been biting well with anglers targeting fish in 10-25 feet of water. Caution is advised due to the high winds. Ice has begun to break up and water can be seen from Lime Kiln Road all the way to Sturgeon Bay. Whitefish action has been good the last week at Bayshore Park with anglers catching them in anywhere from 10-35 feet of water. Fishing pressure has been high off Bay Shore so early mornings and evenings have been the best time. Open water can be seen here as well so use caution. Anglers have been catching decent amount of whitefish along Volk?s Reef. Anglers have been targeting them in anywhere from 3-15 feet of water. A few walleyes are being caught as well, along with the occasional perch. Open water was observed off Volk?s Reef as well.
Kewaunee County Ice fishing on the inland lakes has also slowed down. The ice conditions are still sketchy and the fish, other than small bluegills, aren't cooperating. Those venturing out onto the Bay of Green Bay continue to catch whitefish off Bayshore Park up to Red River Park along the east shore. Anyone venturing out onto the Bay of Green Bay needs to exercise extreme caution. The past weekend?s high winds opened a crack that is about 20 miles long and about 3 miles wide. Historically, March brings a big break up in Bay ice. Be very careful!
Outagamie County Due to the recent rain on Tuesday and Wednesday, large portions of the already poor ice on Little Lake Butte des Morts has disappeared. Anglers will struggle to continue catching perch around the Menasha lock with the changes in ice conditions. However, anglers have been catching nice size walleye over the past two weeks by the Menasha dam. For the anglers looking to venture onto Lake Winnebago, please take caution as many of the landings are very weak, if not already opened up, and there are numerous cracks on the lake with expanses of open water or a very thin layer of ice. As a reminder, shanties need to be removed from the lake by Sunday, March 4. Anglers continue to fish on local river bayous but are cautious as the warm weather has deteriorated some of the ice.
Milwaukee County Snow was a no show in Milwaukee County, but anglers are still reeling in browns and steelhead on Lake Michigan. The landing near Harbor Side on the Milwaukee River and the landing at South Shore Marina are both open. Fishing along harbor wall and river has been slow, but some fish are being caught. Some ice remains near Lake Shore State Park and some good steelheads are being caught. Caution is advised since the remaining ice is poor quality
Iowa County Ice conditions are getting worse with all the rain recently causing soft spots along shore and scouring of existing holes. The forecast for warm temperatures might signal the end of ice fishing is very near. Use extreme caution on any ice. Anglers have reported that the bluegill and crappie fishing have slowed down at Birch Lake The fishing has slowed down at Helen Lake off of Hwy. 14 as well The northern have been biting at Helen Lake off of Hwy. 14, but the ice is quickly leaving Helen Lake and is not safe to walk on. Anglers have been reporting that they are catching some nice bluegill, perch and crappie on Twin Valley Lake at Governor Dodge State Park. River anglers are also reporting that they are catching some nice walleyes on the river near the Hwy. 23 and Hwy.
Wyalusing State Park Ice anglers are still trying their luck at the park boat landing. They know that their days of ice fishing are numbered and are trying to get as many hours on the ice as they can. Mississippi River level at Prairie du Chien was 7.6 Thursday, same as Wednesday. There is open water just out from the boat landing. The Wisconsin River is open.
Jefferson County The ice on area lakes is not safe. All anglers are asked to be patient, there will be open water to fish soon. Looking for shed antlers is a great activity for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. Be sure to respect landowner rights and ask permission to access private lands.
Eau Claire County Ice is in poor condition on many lakes and fishing has been slow. It takes about six hours, but anglers were catching some limits of perch and large crappies (10 Total) on Lake Altoona. Ice conditions continue to deteriorate - please use caution when traveling on the ice. No fishing is allowed March 1 until the first Saturday of May from the Lake Altoona Dam downstream 500 feet (to the first island). Downstream of the fish refuge, the Eau Claire River remains open all year for most fish species except muskellunge.
Marathon County The Wisconsin River has really opened up in the past week, with the main river channel being wide open in places where it has been frozen over all winter. As of Wednesday night, the area received wet heavy snow which may push the ice down and/or cover up spots of thin ice making ice travel treacherous.
Portage County River ice is getting unsafe the closer you get to any channel. The main channel of the Wisconsin River is mostly opened and anglers are fishing open water below the Dubay Dam with limited success. Jigs and minnows fished slowly seem to be working the best. Lake ice is still holding its own but fishing has not been very consistent.
Minocqua area fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/minocquafishingreport.htm
Lake Michigan Fishing Report and tips
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htm
Wausau Area fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/wisconsinriverfishingreport.htm
Chippewa Flowage fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/chippewaflowagefishingreport.htm
Information compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
