Wisconsin Statewide Fishing report 12.22.08
Fishing pressure has been on the light side due to the cold weather, but hardy ice anglers are out daily. Reports indicate that fishing has been generally fair. Walleye have been the primary target in the north and most anglers and catches have been sporadic for the tip-up anglers. Some angling pressure has also been seen for northern pike and action could only be termed fair, as the cloudy and colder weather seems to have held their activity down. Bluegills and crappies are being caught over the tops of weeds near deep water, and on the weed lines.
There are 6 to 8 inches of ice found in some bays of Lake Winnebago and 5 to 6 inches have been reported in the middle areas of the lake. Numerous cracks measuring several feet wide are found on Lake Winnebago. Anglers on Lake Poygan have been having some success with walleyes. The channels of Lake Butte des Morts are seeing some bluegill action. Anglers on Jefferson and Dane county lakes were having fair success catching panfish by jigging with spikes or waxworms. Most lakes in the south have now frozen over, but some of the larger lakes, still have areas of open water.
Ice is forming in the Sheboygan harbor also, but there are still pockets of open water. In Milwaukee, the river under the Hoan bridge has been covered with skim ice in the mornings, but the ice has been moving out later in the day. Shore anglers there have been catching a few brown trout. The Small Boat Harbor in Kenosha is frozen over, and ice anglers have been catching brown trout. Southport Marina has some ice cover, but there is still open water in places.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
Despite a break in the cold weather over this past weekend, below-average temperatures have continued across the Northwoods and this has helped to increase ice depths to a thickness of 7 to 8 inches on most waters. Recent snowfalls have added 4 to 8 inches of snow on top of the ice and this has resulted in some slushy areas on the lakes. The sub-zero temperatures of the past few days have firmed up most of these areas but there are still scattered spots with 3 to 4 inches of slush, especially along shoreline areas where wind-blown snow is a little deeper. Reports from early-season ice anglers indicate that fishing has been generally fair. Walleye have been the primary target for most 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 produce just a couple of flags. With the thickening ice, the fish have moved to a little deeper water and the best depths are now in the 8- to 14-foot range. Good action has still been occurring over soft bottom areas and around any deep weed edges, but hard-bottom rock/gravel drop-offs are beginning to see some activity, especially if they are near any weed beds or mud flats. Medium golden shiners and suckers have been the preferred bait and the last hour before dark has been the most productive time. Some angling pressure has also been seen for northern pike and action could only be termed fair, as the cloudy and colder weather seems to have held their activity down. Large golden shiners fished near and over any green weeds have provided the best success. More panfish anglers have been venturing out and some fair catches of crappie, perch and bluegill have been reported. Trout action on Patterson Lake has been good, with some anglers reporting catches of brook and brown trout in the 12- to 18-inch size.
Upper Wisconsin Basin fisheries report (Oneida, Vilas, Lincoln, Langlade, Forest and Florence counties) -
Ice fishing is in full swing throughout the area with 7 to 10 inches of ice on average, but this thickness is increasing quickly with below zero temperatures in recent days. There are a few trucks driving out on the shallow, smaller lakes but it is extremely early yet and the only vehicular traffic we are seeing is snowmobiles and ATVs. There has been an unfounded rumor stating that ice fishing on the area flowages (Rice/Nokomis, Willow, Rainbow, and Spirit Flowage) is closed due to the drought and low water levels. We are not sure how or where this rumor began, but ice fishing is open on the flowages. There may be some perception that fish are more "crowded" and much easier to catch because of the low water levels; but one has to remember that the baitfish are also "crowded" with the panfish and gamefish, so fishing can actually be tougher in these situations because fish don't have to work as hard to find a meal. Fishing pressure has been on the light side due to the extremely cold weather, but a few anglers are out daily. Bluegills and crappies are being caught over the tops of weeds near deep water, and on the weed lines. The walleye bite has been okay, with some scattered pockets of good action. Walleye are relatively shallow yet and can be caught on rock bars and points generally in 6 to 15 feet of water.
Jefferson County -
Anglers were having fair success catching panfish on the marsh on Rock Lake and on Mud Lake next to Sandhill campground by jigging with spikes or waxworms. The ice is approx. 4-5 inches thick.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County -
In Sheboygan the Sheboygan River is iced over and unfishable in most areas. Ice is forming in the harbor also, but there are still pockets of open water.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington shore fishing has been slow overall, but anglers have been occasionally catching a few browns on spawn near the power plant.
Milwaukee County -
In Milwaukee, the river under the Hoan bridge has been covered with skim ice in the mornings, but the ice has been moving out later in the day. Shore anglers there have been catching a few browns on spawn.
Racine County -
In Racine most of the Root River is locked up with ice, but some open water remains in Colonial and Quarry Lake Parks, as well as below the Horlick dam. Stream flows rose over the weekend with the rain and melting snow, and anglers have still been catching a few browns and coho from the deeper holes. Drifting spawn sacs has produced the most fish.
Kenosha County -
The Small Boat Harbor in Kenosha is frozen over, and ice anglers have been catching brown trout on spawn. Southport Marina has some ice cover, but there is still open water in places.
