Wisconsin Statewide Fishing report 3.12.09
Ice depths on lakes are still up to 20 inches, but warmer temperatures and recent rains have made for sloppy conditions, and areas near inflows and outflows or wherever there is current are now becoming dangerous. With recent precipitation many more rivers and creeks are opening up. Warm temperatures this weekend are expected to increase snowmelt and some flooding is being expected.
As of March 9, the Mississippi River stage was at 8.1 feet at Prairie du Chien, and with the forecast, the river is expected to rise once again.. Most of the main channel is open and the East Channel at Prairie du Chien has also opened. Open water walleye anglers have been out in force below the Lynxville dam. Walleye anglers have also been reporting success on the Fox River.
Significant rainfall and melting snow in southeast Wisconsin has raised water levels on Lake Michigan tributaries. Rivers are high and muddy. Steelhead could start moving upstream once water levels in the rivers start to drop. In Milwaukee, ice in McKinley Marina is starting to break up and the Port Washington the harbor is muddy and debris filled, but the boat launch is open.
Wautoma
In Green Lake County, anglers have reported catching northern pike on Lake Puckaway, walleye on the Fox River near the Princeton Dam, and bluegill on Big Green Lake.
Oshkosh
The ice on Lake Winnebago has become pretty sloppy with warmer weather and rainy conditions. There are reports of up to 20 inches of ice. Early mornings have had the most active fish. Extremely dangerous ice conditions are found around the mouth of the river. A deer status meeting for Winnebago and Fond du Lac counties will be held on March 25. Wildlife staff will present a Deer Management Unit review and take public comment from 6-9 p.m. The City of Oshkosh has discontinued its deer culling efforts. Anyone who is interested in signing up for Sturgeon Guard should email the Sturgeon Guard Coordinator at: dnrsturgeonguard@wisconsin.gov
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Significant rainfall and melting snow in southeast Wisconsin has raised water levels on all area Lake Michigan tributaries. Rivers are high and muddy, and with more rain in the forecast, will be so for awhile. Steelhead could start moving upstream once water levels in the rivers start to drop. Creel survey clerks will start interviewing anglers this weekend.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington both Sauk Creek and the harbor are muddy and debris filled, but the boat launch is open.
Milwaukee County -
In Milwaukee, ice in McKinley Marina is starting to break up, but anglers fishing off the docks have been catching occasional brown trout. The Milwaukee River under the Hoan bridge is muddy, but on the harbor side anglers have been taking a few rainbows and browns.
Racine County -
Fishing in the harbor and on the Root River has been slow.
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Jefferson County -
Anglers have been catching a few bluegill and crappie on Rock Lake off Elm Point and Shorewood Hills by jigging with spikes. The ice is approximately 6 inches thick however the shorelines are breaking up quickly. On Mud Lake by Lake Mills anglers are also catching panfish through the ice by jigging with spikes and waxworms. The ice is approximately 6 inches thick but the shoreline is breaking up as well. Anglers are beginning to fish for walleyes on the Rock River below the dams in Watertown and Jefferson however it is a little early yet and the water is flowing fast. The Rock River is all open south of Jefferson and mostly open south of Watertown.
Crawford County -
As of March 9, the Mississippi River stage is at 8.1 feet. Last week the river bottomed out around the 7 foot mark. Warm weather and rain last weekend has now caused the river to rise once again. If the up river dams are any indication the river here should continue upward for a few days more. Most of the main channel is open as is the East Channel in Prairie du Chien. Below LD # 9 at Lynxville the ice has been out and walleye anglers are out in force. The ice conditions in all the back waters of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers are still in good shape; however, there still exists a few problems with access. If the river continues to rise, access will definitely become a problem. The snowmobile trails throughout the county remain closed. Cold Spring’s ice condition took another beating with the recent rains and increasing water levels. The only safe access is at the south end by the handicap fishing area. The area around the channel is open as is the boat landing. Bluegill and crappie action through the ice has been very spotty. Some anglers have been fishing from the shore at the boat landing with limited success. Cold Spring is considered inland water, not boundary waters.. Additionally the game fish (except panfish) season is now closed at Cold Spring. Fishing on Sturgeon Slough was slow again this week. In McGregor Lake (aka Sturgeon or Horseshoe) there has been some reports of bluegill and crappie action, but success has been limited. Fishing on the Ambro Slough complex improved greatly this past week. Access to many area will become an issue as the water rises and warm run-off water enters this system. The north boat landing (USFWS landing) is unsafe to use as Mill Coulee Creek is keeping that area open. Anglers have accessed some areas using the DNR boat landing. The DNR boat landing had broken up but re-froze, however that might change soon. Caution is still urged in this area. Mud Slough has produced a few crappie and a bluegill here and there but over all it as been slow. Tilmont Lake had produced bluegill, crappie and perch, but action slowed at the end of the week. Access to Tilmont Lake is a bit tricky because anglers have to cross the Black Slough. Gremore Lake started to produce some decent bluegills, but recently it has slowed down. The “bottom end” of Gremore Lake near the Ambro Slough/Big Lake produced some bluegill and crappie. Fish Lake and Little Missouri have been very spotty but Big Missouri and the Doubles have produced some decent bluegill and crappie. Spring Lake has really turned on this past week. Some nice crappie and bluegill are being taken there along with a few perch. The Fennimore Cut has produced too, but not as well as Spring Lake. The boat landing at Gordon’s Bay below LD #9 is open and most of the ice in that area had left the shorelines. Walleye action has slowed however sauger had been really hitting. Many of the sauger have been small, however some very nice fish have been taken. Those who are patient, get there early and find the right spot are catching keeper sized fish. Many bald eagles have returned to the Mississippi River, although not in large numbers. A few eagles have been hanging around the open water of St. Feriole Slough and below the dam at Lynxville. There has been a substantial amount of snow loss in the county (even with the 2 inches received last Sunday) this past week. Turkey and deer have been sited out in open fields feeding. Some reports of turkey gobbling already coming in. Many migratory birds are being seen returning to the area. Red-winged black birds and robins are the most readily identifiable species.
Brunet Island State Park
The ice on Cornell Flowage has not opened yet, but has become discolored in the main channels. Pan fishing pressure has been very light at Perch Lake with mixed results. Late day fishing on the North campground lagoon has been productive, with larger crappies and a few small bluegills being caught. Anglers are reporting generally good ice conditions in the backwater areas. The park does not monitor ice conditions.
