Wisconsin Statewide fishing report 11.13.10Fishing pressure has been generally light. In the Northwoods a few diehard musky and walleye anglers still trying their luck, but very little success has been reported. This is generally known as trophy time for musky, but there have been no recent reports of any exceptionally large fish. In the south, some walleye were being caught on Lake Koshkonong. Water levels on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers have been slowly rising and should be reaching the crest in the next few days. Many river islands are once again under water. Fishing has been slow with a few bluegills caught, but walleye and sauger fishing slowed due to the high water. Along Lake Michigan, anglers taken a mixed bag of chinook, coho, rainbows, and browns on the Sheboygan, Milwaukee and Root rivers and in the harbor at Port Washington.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Fishing pressure has been generally light on lakes across the Northwoods and most sportsmen seem to be keying in on the buck rut. There have been a few diehard musky and walleye anglers still trying their luck, but very little success has been reported. Most musky anglers continue to drag large suckers around, as the water has become almost too cold for artificials to be effective. This is generally known as trophy time for musky, but there have been no recent reports of any exceptionally large fish from the area. The few walleye anglers that have been out have had limited success using large fathead minnows and a slow presentation, but the bites have been light with a lot of drops. Nearly all waterfront property owners have removed their docks and stored them onshore in anticipation of ice-up in the next few weeks. Water temperatures have dropped into the low 40s and it will take an extended period of very cold temperatures to see any sort of ice cover form on northern lakes. The brook trout spawning season is just past its peak, which is typical for the mid-November period. The male brookies exhibit some spectacular spawning colors and they may still be viewed in their mating rituals on many native brook trout streams. Look for the spawning fish around gravel areas in riffles in the smaller tributary streams. Observers are reminded to watch from a distance and not disturb the fish or these fragile spawning areas - as this represents the future of that brook trout population.
Lake Michigan fisheries team reportSheboygan County - In Sheboygan anglers on the Sheboygan River have taken a mixed bag of chinook, coho, rainbows, and browns between Esslingen Park and the Kohler dam. A few northern pike have been taken as well. Most anglers have been fly fishing, but a few fish have been taken on spawn sacs as well.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington, shore anglers have been catching a mix of chinook, rainbows, and browns on skein in the north slip and near the power plant. Fishing on Sauk Creek has been slow, and water levels are very low.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee shore fishing has been relatively slow along the lakefront. Salmon numbers have increased in the Milwaukee River, and anglers have been catching fish in Kletzsch and Estabrook Parks. Decent numbers of browns and steelhead have also been seen downstream of Capitol Drive, and egg sucking leeches and yarn have both been effective for fly anglers. Water levels are low on area tributaries again, and fishing has been slow on the Menomonee River and Oak Creek.
Racine County - On the Root River in Racine fishing has been decent. Water temperatures are in the mid-40s, water clarity is good, but water levels are low. Most anglers have been picking up coho salmon and brown trout, however some chinook are still being caught. Catches of steelhead have been limited, and most have been taken downstream from the weir. Fish have been caught on both spawn sacs under a bobber and on medium sized, brightly colored flies. Fish were processed at the Root River Steelhead Facility on Monday, Nov. 8, and an additional 34 chinook, 262 coho, 50 rainbows, and 2 browns were passed upstream. So far this season, DNR crews have spawned 756 coho at the Root and collected over 850,000 eggs.
Grant County - Water levels on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers continue to slowly rise and should be reaching the crest in the next few days. Many of the Wisconsin and Mississippi river islands are once again under water. Bluegill and crappie fishing have been slow with a few bluegills caught near Far Nuff landing in 6-10 feet of water. Walleye and sauger fishing due to the high water has also slowed.
Dodge County - Shore fishers around Beaver Dam Lake continue to have success. A variety of fish are being caught but the most active remains the yellow bass
Rock County - Fishing activity has picked up on Lake Koshkonong with bluegills biting near Charley Bluff. Walleye are also being caught near Blackhawk Island.
Minocqua Area Fishing Reporthttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/minocquafishingreport.htmChippewa Flowage Fishing Reporthttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/chippewaflowagefishingreport.htmLake Michigan Fishing Report and tips
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htmCentral Wisconsin Fishing reporthttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/wisconsinriverfishingreport.htm
Information compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
