Wisconsin Statewide (Ice) Fishing report 12.16.10The heavy snow has caused slush to start to build up on some northern lakes. Ice cover was generally from about 5 to 7 inches before the storm. With the cold snap last week, many lakes in southern Wisconsin also froze over, but with ice thickness highly variable. The heavy snow will provide insulation to keep the ice from adding much more thickness in the next week or so, and ice thickness will be quite variable. As such, early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out and check ice thickness regularly.
Northern anglers were reporting fair action some days for walleye in the 12 to 16-inch range on tip-ups with small suckers or large fatheads but other days have produced few flags. Panfish action has been good on many southern waters, with nice bluegills, along with some perch and crappies being taken on small jigs with wax worms or spikes.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
The big snowstorm of this past weekend added anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of snow onto the ice cover and this has created some major slush problems on many waters. Most lakes had 5 to 7 inches of ice prior to the storm, and this heavy snow will provide quite a bit of insulation to keep the ice from adding much more thickness in the next week or so. With that said, ice thickness and snow cover continues to be quite variable and travel conditions have gotten very difficult with the slush. As such, early season anglers should still be extremely cautious when venturing out and always check ice thickness and slush conditions before heading across any body of water. Reports from early-season anglers indicate that fishing has been generally fair. Walleye have been the primary target for most early anglers and catches have been sporadic for the tip-up anglers. Some days have provided some good action on 12 to 16-inch fish and other days have produced just a few perch flags. The most productive areas have been the mud/muck flats and weed edges in the late afternoon hours, with small suckers or large fatheads fished at the 5 to 8 foot depth. Some angling pressure has also been seen for panfish and success for perch and crappie has also been fair. Perch have been hitting small minnows and have been found at a variety of depths, from as shallow as 4 feet and out to 20-plus feet of water. Some nice crappie have been found suspended just off the bottom in 18 to 24 feet of water, and many of the fish have been in the 11 to 13-inch size.
Jefferson County -
Ice anglers are having some success on panfish in the marsh on Rock Lake. Bluegill are biting on small jigs with wax worms or spikes. A few limits have been taken. Ice thickness is in the 4-5 inch range. The ice is treacherous on the local rivers yet so ATVs and snowmobilers are avoiding them.
Brunet Island State Park
Panfish action has been good in the north campground bays. Anglers are reporting generally good ice conditions in the backwater areas. The park does not monitor ice conditions. The Cornell flowage water levels fluctuate throughout the year and we urge caution when venturing onto the ice.
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
