Wisconsin Statewide fishing report 5.27.11In the north, cold water temperatures have kept most of the fish in deeper water. Both crappie and bluegill have been creeping back up into shallow water on warmer days. Water temperatures are starting to approach the 60-degree mark and that should spur on the first few observations of bass starting their nesting season. The weather has kept fishing pressure at a minimum, but diehard anglers have still been out and have had to work at catching fish. There really hasn't been any consistent walleye pattern to the early season bite, but some decent catches have been made. Northern pike action has been fair.
In the south, walleye fishing has been pretty good on lakes Monona and Mendota and musky success was good on the lakes Monona and Wingra and the Yahara River. Anglers have been catching some white bass on the Crawfish River. The Rock River is also still very high and most of the river is slow no wake for boaters in Rock County.
The weather and very strong winds in the last week with gusts up to 40 miles-per-hour also kept Lake Michigan fishing at a minimum. Water temperatures at the landings are in the low 50s. Those who ventured out in the bay from the Peshtigo Harbor reported limits of walleye and walleye fishing was also good out of Oconto. Fox River anglers have been catching some walleye in the river but most have been targeting the bay. Prior to the bad weather anglers were doing well catching coho out of Port Washington, Racine and Kenosha.
Water levels are continuing to recede on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers with most areas noting the water was back in the banks and out of the parking lots. Most docks are not yet in place. Many landings are in the process of cleaning up flood related debris. Fishing has been slow due to the flooding. Trout and bass fishing on inland streams has been improving as water temperatures climb for increased bass fishing.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties)
The windy, rainy and cold weather of the past weekend kept both fishing pressure and fish activity at a minimum. Many diehard anglers have still been out trying their luck and most have had to work at catching their fish. Panfish action could only be termed fair as the colder water temperatures have kept most of the fish in deeper water. Both crappie and bluegill have been creeping back up into shallow water on warmer days and this has provided some decent action when conditions were right. Look for this to greatly improve with any kind of warming trend. Walleye are the most sought after fish in the Northwoods in May and reports have indicated everything from poor to good success in the last week! There really hasn't been any consistent pattern yet to the early season bite and the successful walleye anglers have been having good success on both minnows and crank baits. Some decent catches have been made on jig-minnow combinations in 12 to 20 feet of water, while anglers casting stick baits along shore have been seeing good action in 4 to 8 feet of water. Most of the success has been concentrated in the early morning hours and in the two hours before dark. The majority of the walleye have been ?good eaters? in the 12 to 17-inch size, but a few fish in the 20 to 26-inch size have also been caught. Many of the anglers have also reported catching small to medium-size musky while jigging or casting for walleye (musky season is closed through May 28 in the northern zone and musky must be immediately released). Northern pike action has been fair with anglers catching medium-size fish along the newly developing weed beds. Largemouth and smallmouth bass activity has just started to pick up and there have been a few quality size fish being seen up in 3 to 6 feet of water. Water temperatures are starting to approach the 60-degree mark and that should spur on the first few observations of bass starting their spring nesting season. Anglers are reminded that the "Catch and Release" season is still in effect in the Northern Zone and all bass should be quickly returned to the water.
Peshtigo Fishing pressure was light to moderate this past week. High winds, swollen rivers, and cold temperatures has made fishing a bit more difficult. Those who did make it out onto the bay for walleye were justly rewarded. Water temperatures at the landings are in the low 50s and water clarity is poor.
Marinette County With the prevailing winds this past week launching from the Peshtigo Harbor has been good. Those who ventured out in the bay reported limits of walleye in 3 to 7 feet of water using crawler\harness and trolling very small stick baits. Anglers in the river were catching some smallmouth, pike, and the occasional musky. The Menominee River walleye bite has slowed some and with the winds going out in the bay was not an option. Some nice musky were being caught in and around the area of Boom Landing by anglers casting big jerk baits and spinners.
Oconto County Water flows at the Stiles Dam have begun to subside, as a result some smallmouth bass were being caught in the area of the Iron Bridge on spinners and crank baits. Bass fishing has been good on the Pensaukee River with plastics and spinners working well. Walleye anglers have been having some success using crawler/harness and bottom bouncers in 7 to 10 feet of water. Some pike and carp were being caught from the break wall at Oconto Breakwater Park, smelt fished on bottom for pike and a gob of crawler for carp. Oconto Park II walleye anglers have been having great success fishing 5 to 7 feet of water straight out from the landing. Shore anglers have been catching a variety of fish including some very nice bullheads, the occasional walleye, bass, and assorted panfish using slip bobbers with crawlers or minnows or fishing on bottom. Geano Beach anglers have been trolling the shallow waters for walleye and producing some good catches.
Green Bay New safety requirements are in effect for anglers fishing Wisconsin's Great Lakes waters. Boat operators trolling on the Great Lakes with downriggers must have wire cutters on board and have direct and immediate access to the tools. The cutters allow operators to free their boats should downriggers get snagged on underwater commercial fishing trap nets or other obstructions. DNR also advises that anglers fishing at night or in low-light conditions carry a powerful flashlight to help them look for nets, which are now required to be marked with reflective tape. Learn more on the Trap Net Safety on the Great Lakes page
http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/greatlakes/trapnets.htm of the DNR website.
Brown County Fox River anglers have been catching some walleye in the river but most have been targeting the bay. The best luck has been coming in 5-10 feet of water trolling cranks. Anglers have also been catching good numbers of carp, catfish and drum in the river. Most have been using bottom rigs to target these fish.
Manitowoc County Scattered rain and thunderstorms hit throughout the area last week followed by colder temperatures in the mid-40s and strong north to northeast winds at 15-25 mph over the weekend. Wind gusts reached as high as 40 mph Friday through Sunday. Water levels rose nearly 6 inches, but water flow and clarity remain good throughout the tributaries. Water temperatures dropped to 52 degrees throughout the tributaries and harbors, with near shore lake temperatures 45-47 degrees. Anglers continued to land a few steelheads in the 4-6 pound range on the West Twin River by Shoto and Silver Creek. The fish appear to be done spawning, but still remain up the tributaries. Anglers have had luck floating spawn or orange yarn balls. Several northern pike, 20-25 inches, continued to be caught upstream on the Manitowoc River near Cato Falls. Crank baits and spinners have worked best, but different colors work every time anglers go out. The West Twin River and both harbors continue to be the hot spots for catfish this week. Anglers continue to use sucker guts or creek chubs on the bottom. All the tributaries continue to show large amounts of suckers caught this week using night crawlers on the bottom. Pier anglers and boaters this week showed little activity with the heavy rain and wind.
Door County Sturgeon Bay anglers have been finding good numbers of smallmouth bass. Most have been targeting 10 feet of water, using tube jigs or spinner baits. Walleye have been biting along the shallow rocky shorelines after dark. Most anglers have been trolling for them. Also some very large northern pike were being caught in the shallows as well. Little Sturgeon Bay anglers have been catching increased numbers of bass the last few days. Some fish were topping out over 20 inches. Anglers have been finding the bass in various depths. Northern pike were being caught as well with a few in the 40-inch category. Walleyes were being caught but strong winds have been keeping anglers from venturing too far out onto the bay.
Lake Michigan fisheries team reportBad weather and even worse near-shore marine forecasts for most of last week and into the weekend kept fishing pressure on Lake Michigan extremely low. Some better weather, both on and off of the lake this weekend should improve fishing conditions.
Ozaukee County In Port Washington anglers prior to the bad weather last week, were doing well catching coho east and south of town on a mix of spoons and dodgers and flies fished off of boards or downriggers.
Racine County In Racine coho were being caught in 50-75 feet of water on dodgers and flies fished off of planer boards, some calmer more stable weather will be needed to improve fishing conditions.
Kenosha County In Kenosha anglers were getting a few coho in 20-50 feet of water, dodgers and flies were the best, a few fish were also taken on bright spoons as well fished with lead core off of planer boards and downriggers.
Grant County Water levels are continuing to recede on the Wisconsin and Mississippi rivers with most areas noting the water was back in the banks and out of the parking lots. Schleichers landing and Bagley Bottoms landing still have water on certain areas. Most docks are not yet in place. Many landings are in the process of cleaning up flood related debris. Potosi Point boat landing road is now passable. Fishing has been slow due to the flooding. Yellow perch fishing remains fair in O Leary Lake below lock and Dam 11. Trout and bass fishing on inland streams has been improving as water temperatures climb for increased bass fishing. Turkey hunters reported that with the last segment of 85+ degree weather the woods vegetation has come on strong. The walnut trees are finally beginning to leaf out.
Lafayette County Opening weekend of the fishing season in Lafayette County was very rewarding for trout anglers in North East Lafayette County. Many anglers were successful and some even caught fish over 15 inches in length. One angler managed to pull in a brown trout over 20 inches.
Wyalusing State Park The Mississippi River remains higher than normal, but canoes and kayaks are available for rent at the concession stand. After cresting at 21.4 feet on April 15, the Mississippi River remains higher than normal at approximately 14 feet with a drop of 1 foot by Saturday.
Dane County Fishing has been pretty good. Some nice catches of panfish (both bluegills and crappies) have been appearing on lakes Monona and Mendota. Walleyes seem to be biting pretty well and still seem to be in some shallower water and were also being caught in parts of the Yahara River. Musky season is in full swing and many people have been targeting muskies with success on the lakes Monona and Wingra and parts of the Yahara River.
Jefferson County Anglers have been catching some white bass on the Crawfish River north of Hubbleton. The best success has been on twister-tails or small lures. Some walleye were being caught below the upper dam in Watertown on a jig and a minnow. On Rock Lake, bass were being caught on an assortment of baits including spinner baits and leeches. Bluegill beds are appearing in the shallows of area lakes.
Columbia County Fishing is starting to pick up on Lake Wisconsin. The cool weather has slowed the bite most recently. Anglers are anxiously awaiting warmer weather.
Merrick State Park The Mississippi River is still about 3 feet above normal. The boat dock will be put in when the water level returns to normal. Fishing has been slow and spotty. The most success has been with walleye and bass.
Perrot State Park The Trempealeau River is falling slowly, but is still very high. Canoeing is enjoyable in the higher water; the water is fairly slow moving. The carp are spawning and can be found backed up by the electric fish gate along the dike. The eagles are hunting the spawning carp by the fish gate on the dike and they will fly overhead as you paddle about. Fishing is slow.
Minocqua area fishing reporthttp://wisconsinoutdoor.com/smf/index.php?topic=4318.0Lake Michigan Fishing Report and tipshttp://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htmInformation compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
