Wisconsin Statewide Fishing report 4.26.12The rain also raised water levels some on many rivers, but most rivers continue to run below seasonal spring norms. The North Fork of the Flambeau River was running low for this time of year, while the South Fork was at more normal spring levels. The St. Croix River has moderate to high water levels. The Lower Wisconsin River was running about seasonal norms.
The cool weather slowed fishing pressure in many areas. The prolonged slow warm-up of northern lakes has extended the walleye spawning season and delayed musky spawning. With the cooler temperatures, crappie and bluegill spawning is likely still couple of weeks off, so it could be occurring during the May 5 game fish season opener. Walleye fishing was good on the Wisconsin Rive near Stevens Point. Walleye fishing has also been good on Lake Winneconne.
Strong east winds in the last week have kept fishing pressure low along Lake Michigan and Green Bay. Some walleye action was reported again this week on both the east and west shores of the Bay. Pier and harbor fishing was slow, but when winds have been light a few brown trout and coho salmon have been caught. A reminder that the catch-and-release early inland trout season closes this Sunday, April 29.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) The erratic and generally cool weather continues to slow the spring progression of spawning seasons for many species of fish. Water temperatures continue to hover just below the 50-degree mark and this allowed walleye, northern pike and perch to all but complete their egg-laying for the season. But the cool temperatures have delayed progress of the musky spawning period and these large predators continue to trickle into the shallows to conduct their reproductive rituals. Expect this to continue for at least a couple more weeks. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass, as well as most panfish species, have been reluctant to move into the shallows and their spawning are still several weeks away as well. For fishing activity, just a few anglers have been out trying their luck for panfish and suckers and most have met with rather low success. Some decent crappie and bluegill have been picked up in the shallow mud-bottom bay on warmer days, but this has been a hit or miss proposition with the constantly changing weather. Sucker fishing has also been fair with some decent catches of redhorse and white sucker coming from the deeper holes on the Flambeau and Chippewa rivers.
Flambeau River State Forest The water on the North Fork of the Flambeau is a bit low for spring but still making for good paddling for those brave enough to weather the colder temperatures. The South Fork is up and at a more normal spring time level. Redhorse are spawning along the river and walleye are in their second spawning cycle.
Vilas County White suckers are spawning on area waters many bird species are now on nests or constructing them. Crappies have begun hitting along fallen trees and brush piles on area lakes and muskies are finishing up their spawning period.
Marinette County High winds in the last week have kept fishing pressure minimal on the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers. Fishing for panfish on inland lakes has been slow with water temps staying in the low 50s. Although water levels appear low, some adventurous kayakers have been taking on the Pike and Menominee rivers.
Manitowoc County There have been reports of boats doing well for browns in 8-20 feet of water, with spoons and stick baits producing the most fish. Occasional lake trout have also been mixed in. Kings are being caught to the south of Manitowoc on spoons, crank baits, and plugs in 15 to 30 feet of water. Some steelhead were being caught in deeper water. The easterly winds have made it tough for some anglers to make it out. The winds have also put a damper on pier fishing in Two Rivers and Manitowoc. Brown trout were being caught more often with spoons than with spawn sacs and dead bait. Some large fish have been caught with one reportedly over 20 pounds. Fish have sometimes been holding on mud lines where river water and lake water clarity differences occur. Manitowoc Harbor is now 48 degrees. The heavy rain that fell last week raised area streams and rivers significantly. Rain would generally bring in more steelhead from the lake if the spawn was still underway, but the spring run is nearing an end in Manitowoc County and stream catches are way down. There are still some lingering steelhead in the East and West Twin Rivers and they are being caught on spinners, spoons, and spawn with very light presentations. Many planted rainbows were being caught, these fish need to be over 10 inches to be kept. As of April 21 the East and West Twin Rivers were in the mid 40s, the Manitowoc River was 46 degrees and Branch River was 44 degrees. The cold nights and rain have again dropped area stream temperatures. Northern pike and smallmouth bass fishing has been somewhat dependent on water temperatures. Afternoons have been more productive because water temps may increase a few degrees during day and improve the bite. Fish have been caught on crank baits, plastics, jigs, and spoons. There have been very few reports of catfish being taken. Some anglers have been targeting carp with corn as bait on the Manitowoc River and in Two Rivers, some large fish were caught.
Door County With cool and windy weather dominating most of the week, fishing pressure remained relatively low. The weekend brought warmer temperatures, sun and anglers. In Sturgeon Bay and northern Door County water temperatures ranged from 42-46 degrees around the shoreline of the peninsula. Throughout the weekend several boats were out at Bailey's Harbor, the city dock in Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor ramp, and Ole Stone Quarry ramp. The pressure for brown trout continued as boaters report some success trolling in 6-10 feet of water with spoons and stick baits. Shore anglers were pressuring northern pike and walleye in Sturgeon Bay on the ship canal and brown trout off the Egg Harbor piers, with little reports of any return. The end of the weekend had good fishing activity on Little Sturgeon Bay, there were several boat trailers. One fisherman caught one walleye, one northern pike, and six smallmouth bass. Another group caught three smallmouth bass. Over at Sawyer Harbor, there were a few trailers at Potawatomi Park and there was one trailer at Idlewild Park. There was lots of activity at Chaudoir's dock. There were 15 boat trailers and a total of 12 walleye were caught, but three walleye were kept ranging in sizes of 19 inches to 24 3/4 inches and from 3 to 6 pounds. One fisherman also caught a whitefish, a perch and a smallmouth bass (all released). Flicker shads and stick baits were the favorable baits used. Steelhead and suckers remain present in Heins, Hibbards, and Reibolts creeks.
Winnebago County The fishing in the Winneconne area has not slowed down. The evening bite for walleye seems to be the best from the Winneconne bridge.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County The Sheboygan lakefront has had very little fishing activity in the past week due to strong winds and high waves. On the Sheboygan River anglers fishing for northern pike with golden shiners at the Kohler Dam have been quite successful. The river has high water after recent rains with an average water temperature of 42 degrees.
Ozaukee County Fishing pressure has been low in Port Washington. A few boaters have been successful catching brown trout in the harbor area between the piers. Blue spoons have been the favored bait. Sauk Creek has high water after rain late last week, and the average temperature is 44 degrees.
Milwaukee County In Milwaukee, when the winds are light browns have been caught in the harbor, between the gaps and outside the breakwall on dark colored spoons, including blue and green. A few coho have also been picked up with similar presentations. The shoreline along Summerfest is producing some browns with the most successful presentations focusing on minnows and spawn sacs, with a few additional fish being caught on spoons. Those anglers trying for perch have a picked up only a few on minnows fished on the bottom. Shore fishing at Jones Island has been slow. Anglers on McKinley pier have picked up a few brown trout while throwing spoons or fishing with minnows. Some more rainbows have been seen moving up Oak Creek recently, and a few browns have been caught on the Grant Park pier. Steelhead fishing is slow in the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers, but Menomonee River anglers have taken a few walleye on leeches fished in the deeper holes.
Racine County Small brown trout and a few small coho have been caught on the east side of the Racine harbor on blue spoons. Trollers report some success catching a few browns on spoons and crank baits in 25-40 feet of water. The water in and around the harbor has been dirtier than normal with an east wind blowing in.
Waukesha County Panfishing remains spotty around the county with some crappies and bluegills being caught on Phantom, Lower Nemahbin, and School Section lakes.
Kenosha County A near constant wind for over two weeks have kept most small boats off of Lake Michigan and fishing has come to a standstill. On the few occasions there has been a break in the wind, anglers have been catching fish close to shore in a about 16 feet of water while trolling. Fishing inland lakes has been slow as well; however, youth and disabled anglers are invited to fish Anderson Pond in Kenosha which has been recently stocked by DNR fisheries. Be sure to check page 22 in the current fishing regulations for special ?Urban Pond? rules before you head out.
Sauk County Walleyes are biting sporadically on the Baraboo River near Douglas Park between Reedsburg and LaValle. Recent heavy rains have raised the river several feet. Crappies are biting on both Lake Redstone and Dutch Hollow Lake. Some bluegills have also been biting on Dutch Hollow Lake as well.
Rock County Fishing in ponds and rivers has slowed down. Mushrooms were being found in the local area.
Willow River State Park Trout anglers are reminded that the early season ends on April 29 and there is no trout fishing for a week.
Jackson County Anglers are waiting patiently for game fish opener on the first weekend in May. The game fish season is closed now on the Black River, including the portions downstream of the dam. Rumors about this section being open might stem from a pilot study where the Black River was open to walleye early, but this was many many years ago.
Marathon County With the cooler weather, bass activity has slowed on the Wisconsin River. Some walleye were being caught, mainly on jigs and minnows. Mayflies have hatched on warmer days. Crappies and white bass seem to be the most active below the Moon dam at this time, but some fishers were still boating a keeper walleye or two. Bow fishers are reporting success downstream from the dam in the backwater sloughs. Bow fishing was also heating up at the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir, with most bow fishers having better than average success. Water clarity is spotty with some reporting clear water down to a good foot and a half, while others report only 6 inches to a foot of clear water. Carp are plentiful in this body of water, and bow fishing action should heat up soon with warmer weather.
Adams County Anglers were not having much success on panfish since the nights have gotten colder and walleye action is down since the earlier than normal spawn.
Portage County Fishing activity on the Wisconsin River in the Stevens Point area continued to be good. Walleyes and bass were providing good action and crappie were beginning to bite. Some of the best action occured while trolling. Fishers are reminded the general opener on waters other than the Wisconsin River does not begin until May 5.
Minocqua area fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/minocquafishingreport.htm
Lake Michigan Fishing Report and tipshttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htm
Wausau Area fishing reporthttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/wisconsinriverfishingreport.htm
Chippewa Flowage fishing reporthttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/chippewaflowagefishingreport.htmInformation compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
