Wisconsin Statewide fishing report (ice) 2.18.11
Big fish and challenging travel conditions were the story during the first five days of the Lake Winnebago System sturgeon spearing seasons. Through the end of spearing hours Wednesday, 1,105 fish had been harvested, with 67 of them weighing more than 100 pounds, including a 185-pound, 80.2-inch female sturgeon was taken Feb. 14.
The Upriver Lakes were still open on Thursday, but could close if the harvest trigger is hit, otherwise the upriver season will be open at least through Friday. The Lake Winnebago closure is not in sight. There were reports of lots of water and very rough going on the roads off Oshkosh. Nine more fish over a hundred pounds were registered Wednesday, largest percentage of trophy fish on any single day in the history of the fishery. On spearer registered one of the infamous "white" sturgeon come on Wednesday. Not a true albino as the eyes were not pink.
Ice fishing on inland lakes remained slow, and travel became very difficult because of the melting snow and build up of slush. Ice conditions can change very rapidly in these warm temperatures, especially near inlets, outlets or natural springs, so people should be using extreme caution venturing out on ice.
Anglers with ice shacks still on the ice should consider removing them now or risk a big hassle getting them off if they sink into the slush and then cold temperatures re-freeze the ice later. The first ice fishing shanty removal deadline is next Sunday, Feb. 20 for Iowa-Wisconsin boundary waters.
Along Green Bay, the Peshtigo Harbor area saw an influx of northern pike anglers pre fishing for a tournament next weekend. The Oconto breakwater saw a lot of activity this weekend, with some whitefish and a few perch caught along with some good numbers of smelt. Along Door County, Sturgeon Bay anglers had some success fishing perch but most have been small. Little Sturgeon Bay anglers were having success on whitefish.
After the warm weekend the ice conditions below the dams on the Mississippi River are becoming extremely dangerous. Run-off water is also entering many other rivers and the flowing water under the ice can rapidly deteriorate ice. Ice is also breaking up below dams on the Rock River and some decent walleye action was being reported.
Marinette County
The Peshtigo Harbor area saw an influx of northern pike anglers pre fishing for a tournament next weekend. The Menominee River is seeing it's share of anglers ply their trade for walleye. The best bite comes after dark or before sunrise, Jiggin Rap's and Moonglows tipped with minnows or minnow heads is what is being used most.
Oconto County
White fish, perch, and some smelt are being caught south of the Geano Beach entrance. Oconto Breakwater Park saw a lot of activity this weekend. Some white fish and a few perch are being caught around the mouth of the Oconto River Jiggin Rap's and Kastmasters have been working well. Oconto Parks anglers have been chasing the elusive pike with limited success. Some anglers report catching some good numbers of smelt while fishing for perch.
Brown County
Anglers at Voyageur Park are still targeting perch in shallow water and walleye farther out. With the radical change in temperatures extreme care should be taken when fishing in and below dam areas. Some perch and the occasional pike are being caught around the Sunset Beach area, the perch are running on the small size.
Door County
Sturgeon Bay anglers have been fishing perch from the state park with some success. But most perch that were being caught have been small in size. Anglers have also been fishing near Bullhead Point for perch with some success. Little Sturgeon Bay anglers were having success on whitefish from Lime Kiln road up to Sand Bay. Most anglers have been targeting around 30 feet of water for best success but whitefish are being caught as shallow as 10 feet and down to around 50 feet. Gold jigging spoons have been working the best. At Dykesville, anglers have been using the landings at Red River and Lipsky?s. The best fishing has been in 20-30 feet of water away from the larger groups of people. Whitefish have dominated the catches lately, but a few nice perch have been caught as well by anglers targeting the whitefish. Also truck travel has been good with anglers reporting 12-15 inches of ice. Fishing has been slow for perch at Chaudoir?s Dock, but anglers have been catching good numbers of whitefish. Most have been fishing in about 30 feet of water. Travel has also been good with a plowed road from the landing all the way out. Sugar Creek anglers were having some success fishing for perch. Most have been using jigging spoons tipped with a waxworm or minnow.
Dane County
Panfishing seems to be picking up in a few places such as Upper Mud Lake and parts of Lake Waubesa. Game fishing remains slow but now is the time to get out and give it a try as there is only three weeks of game fishing left before the season closes on March 6. Also with melting snow conditions ice anglers who have placed ice shanty's on the lake may want to pay close attention to conditions so they can easily remove them by the southern closure date of March 6. Anglers are always reminded to watch ice conditions however it is especially important around this time of the year when conditions start to warm.
Information compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
