Wisconsin Statewide Fishing report 3.19.09
Rivers are opening up into north Wisconsin, with sections of the Oconto, Flambeau, and Namekagon now open. Trout fishing enthusiast have been taking advantage of the warm weather to fish the early catch and release season. Other northern rivers such as the wild Pike and Pine rivers in northeastern Wisconsin are still too ice covered in most places for early trout fishing. Lake Michigan tributaries in southeastern Wisconsin are open and have been running high. The spring steelhead spawning run has begun and anglers have been out in force in the last week. Muskies are staging below the Vilas Park dam on the Yahara River in Dane County and lots of fish watchers are getting a good look at some large fish. Water levels on the Rock and Crawfish rivers are very high and a slow-no-wake ordinance was put in place on the Rock River last week in the Janesville area. A few early season canoeists and kayaks have been out on open water. As of March 17, the Mississippi River stage was at 7.9 feet at Prairie du Chien. Ice conditions in the back waters of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers are starting to deteriorate and access is becoming dangerous. Open water walleye and sauger action was very spotty this week. Anglers were reporting water temperatures around 33 to 34 degrees.
Lakes in southern Wisconsin have begun to open up, with the north end of Lake Kegonsa in Dane County open and the rest expected to open with the week. There were many reports of anglers falling through the ice in shallow water as the ice has honeycombed and strong winds during the week are moving the ice around. Assess points around Lake Winnebago are extremely treacherous, with most bridges being pulled out this week. Ice depths on northern lakes still ranges up to 18 inches, but many shorelines are opening up and access is becoming difficult and hazardous. Anglers were still ice fishing on Green Bay’s Sawyer Harbor but ice conditions are deteriorating rapidly.
Bayfield County - Panfishing has been excellent in southern Bayfield County this past week. It’s like some one finally turned the switch on, with wax worms being the choice bait. Reminder to those fishing Middle Eau Claire and Bony Lakes, the panfish bag limit is now 10. With four days of 40 degree-plus temperatures, ice conditions continue to deteriorate, with most people using ATV or foot travel only, though some are still traveling on the ice with vehicles. Many boat landing access points are opening up, making it tough to access some areas. Again use caution when traveling on ice; taking a length of rope and life jacket might be a real good idea. Trout fishing enthusiast have been taking advantage of the warm weather and early catch and release season, with the White River and Namekagon River seeing the most action. Reminder to those thinking about boating this spring, now is a good time to double check your boat registration stickers to be sure everything is up to date; while checking your boat, be sure to inspect all life jackets and fire deteriorate, making sure they're in the boat, in proper working order. Deer are moving away from their wintering yards these past two weeks, with many people reporting much day time deer activity; take care when traveling area roads, especially in the Barnes area. Three very large flocks of migrating eagles were seen this past weekend, traveling through the Namekagon area, with 20 eagles stopping on Taylor Lake to feed on a dead deer, it was a neat sight to see. The Spring Fish and Wildlife Rules Hearing is just around the corner so mark your calendars for April 13 at 7 p.m. The Bayfield County Hearing will be held at the Drummond High School this year.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
The recent mild weather has started to reduce ice thickness and most lakes are now down to about 16 to 18 inches of ice, with the upper 1 to 3 inches being water and slush. Most access areas, along with the sun-drenched west and north shorelines, have become very soft and small open-water areas are showing up along shore. Inlets and areas of moving water have been especially treacherous as open water has developed in many of these spots as well. Vehicle traffic on the lakes has pretty much ended and most anglers have been walking out to their favorite spots. Fishing pressure has been on the light side and panfish anglers have been having a hard time finding active fish. It appears that the perch and crappie have abandoned their deep-water haunts and have moved up to shallower water or suspending a couple feet below the ice. Bluegill have been providing the best success, but anglers have had to search quite a bit for quality-size fish.
Oconto County -
The Oconto River is opening up below the Stiles Dam area with the geese and sandhill cranes returning to the area last week. The steelhead are not moving up the tributary yet as water temperatures need to increase a bit yet. Although anxious fly anglers are getting their feet wet in anticipation of the spring run. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly with the warmer weather, extreme caution should be taken when venturing out on ice covered waters now. All ice fishing shelters must be removed at the end of each day.
Oshkosh
A good amount a rain this week could send the ice out on the Fox and Wolf rivers. Assess points around Lake Winnebago are extremely treacherous, with most bridges being pulled out this week. A few boats have been out on the water in Oshkosh picking up perch, bluegill and walleyes. Very limited activity is reported around the Winneconne bridge. A warm up in water temperature over the next couple weeks should begin some walleye action, followed by white bass, which usually heats up around the beginning of May. Anyone who is interested in signing up for Sturgeon Guard should email the Sturgeon Guard Coordinator at: dnrsturgeonguard@wisconsin.gov
Sheboygan County -
In Sheboygan the Sheboygan River remains relatively high and muddy, and fishing has been slow.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington fishing on Sauk Creek has been relatively slow, but anglers near the power plant and in the harbor have been catching browns on shiners. Browns have also been taken off the pier on spoons.
Milwaukee County -
In Milwaukee, ice in McKinley Marina has been breaking up, but anglers fishing off the docks have been catching occasional brown trout. Anglers fishing the Milwaukee River under the Hoan bridge have been taking a few rainbows and browns. Fishing on the Menomonee River has been slow, but anglers on Oak Creek have taken a few steelhead on spawn.
Racine County -
In Racine water levels on the Root River have dropped considerably in the past week. Flows are still high, but the river is fishable. Most fish caught over the weekend were taken from the deep pools in the golf course between Colonial and Quarry Lake Parks, as well as taken up at the dam. A few browns and steelhead were caught on both flies and spawn. DNR crews started the Root River Steelhead Facility on Monday.
Kenosha County -
In Kenosha, ice remains near the boat launch, but open water can be found elsewhere in the harbor. Some browns have been caught on spawn.
Dane County -
Ice fishing is through for the season on Dane County Lakes. As of Monday March 16, anglers were still fishing Lake Waubesa at Goodland Park and Lake Farm Park and Monona Bay on Lake Monona. There were many reports of anglers falling through the ice in shallow water as the ice has honeycombed and strong winds during the week are moving the ice around. The north end of Lake Kegonsa is open and ice out could occur within a week. Some of the boat launches are open and a few canoeists and kayaks have been out in the open water. Muskies are staging below the dam at Vilas Park and lots of fish watchers are getting a good look at some large fish. Northerns are spawning and fish refuges have been posted on the Yahara River.
Crawford County -
Very little snow is left in the area. North facing slopes are still holding on tight to the snow, however it is disappearing fast. For the most part the frost is not out of the ground so travel into the fields is very muddy. As of March 16, the Mississippi River stage was at 7.8 feet. Last week the river was over 8 feet but it slowly fell throughout the week. If the warm weather continues or if rain comes into play there is a good chance the river will rise again. The main channel is open throughout the entire area. The East Channel in Prairie du Chien is also open. Many of the backwater areas still hold ice that is pretty thick. Below LD # 9 at Lynxville the ice has been out for some time and walleye anglers are out in force. The ice conditions in all the back waters of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers are starting to deteriorate and access to safe backwater ice fishing is becoming dangerous. If the forecast holds true and the warm weather continues ice fishing might be over by the end of the week. Cold Spring’s ice condition is slowly getting worse. The only access is at the south end by the handicap fishing area and that area, especially along the shoreline, is starting to lose ice. The area around the channel is open as is the boat landing. Bluegill and crappie action, through the ice has been spotty, with some good days interspersed. Some anglers have been fishing from the shore at the boat landing but success there has been poor. Anglers fishing through the ice are catching a fair amount of bluegill but most are small. Some crappie and a few perch have been taken. Cold Spring is considered inland water, not boundary waters. Fishing on Sturgeon Slough was slow again this week as was McGregor Lake (aka Sturgeon or Horseshoe). Good news and bad news from the Ambro Slough complex near Prairie du Chien. The good news is that crappie, bluegill, and perch action picked up this week. The bad news is ice conditions are very dangerous. Only anglers who have access to an airboat or hovercraft can access areas like Tilmont Lake, Big and Little Missouri, the Upper and Lower Doubles and Fish Lake. The north boat landing (USFWS landing) is unsafe to use as Mill Coulee Creek has opened much of the Ambro Slough. The DNR boat landing isn’t safe any more to use as the warm water flow has eaten away the ice and it is very thin. Gremore Lake really slowed down this week and few anglers are venturing out there. Spring Lake is still producing some fish, however by the end of the week action there slowed down. Crappie and bluegill were being taken there. The Fennimore Cut was quiet this week. The boat landing at Gordon’s Bay below lock and dam 9 is open and most of the ice in that area had left the shorelines. Walleye and sauger action was very spotty this week. Many of the sauger have been small; however, some very nice fish have been taken. Walleyes have been harder to find. Those who are patient, get there early and find the right spot, are catching keeper sized fish. Many anglers were reporting water temperatures around 33 to 34 degrees. Anglers are fishing the East Channel in Prairie du Chien with limited success. Small sauger and walleye have been taken with a few keeper sized fish. Most of the boat landings in the Prairie du Chien area are open. Many bald eagles have returned to the Mississippi River and are actively tending nests. 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 this past week. Turkey and deer have been sited out in open fields feeding. Turkey gobbling activity is picking up. Many migratory birds are being seen returning to the area. Red-winged black birds, robins, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, and a wide variety of waterfowl have returned to the area. There is some great waterfowl viewing on the Mississippi River up in Pool 9 right now (Lynxville to Ferryville).
Wausau/Central WI fishing report
Geese, Sandhill cranes, and gobbling Tom turkeys are sure signs that spring has arrived. With temperatures this past weekend into the mid 50's, the already good fishing experienced by anglers this winter has turned "hot".
Anglers have a multitude of choices to make as late season ice fishing continues to be very productive while open water anglers are finding access below several area dams.
Crappie action continues to be excellent with anglers reporting steady action. Crappies that had been relating to deeper water are beginning to move into shallower water. Successful tactics being reported include using small spoons tipped with minnows or jigs tipped with waxies/ spikes. Anglers have also had success using jigs tipped with plastic such as Little Atom's "micro noodles". Tip downs have also proved hot with anglers using a #10 gold or red hook baited with crappie minnows or Rosie reds.
Bluegill and perch action has also been excellent with good catches being reported in shallow backwater sloughs or flats. Best locations reported are where anglers have found green weeds or structure. Anglers have been using small jigs tipped with waxies/spikes or plastics.
Walleye and Northern season is still open on the waters of the Wisconsin river and ice anglers have still been targeting these fish. Steady catches of "slot fish" walleyes have been reported by anglers using tip ups and medium shiners in shallow water related to wood while Northerns are still being caught related to green weeds using tip ups with large golden shiners.
Open water anglers are reporting good catches of walleyes below several area dams. Most anglers have been using jigs tipped with fatheads or plastics. Live bait rigs such as a Lindy rigs tipped with fatheads have also produced fish.
Enjoy this great time of year in Central Wisconsin! Remember to put safety first no matter what fishing you are doing. As ice conditions deteriorate and waters rise on the local rivers, anglers are encouraged to use caution. Also, take a kid fishing and help continue the lifelong sport of fishing.
Wisconsin Angling Adventures
http://www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com Minocqua area fishing repor
Ice conditions are good, though a few lakes with steep south facing banks have a little iffy ice to get on to lakes. Once on we are still getting reports of about 28" average. Colder temps at weeks end (high in mid 30's) should preserve ice. Still a lot of truck travel, but atvs will be prefered in a week or two.
Crappies: Very good. A good mix of minnow action (meaning aggressive fish) and finessing plastics, waxies or chena. Bite concentrated at times to 1 to 1 1/2 hour windows, but by putting time in anglers ending up with nice catches.
Perch: Very good. Good mud bite with anglers catching bulk of perch on wigglers over 18-25' mud. Swedish pimples, forage minnows, Gapen Flickers. Takes some spikes once action heats up. Minnows on tip-downs also productive.
Bluegills: Very good. Nice gills in the 7-8" range taking moussees, waxies and plastics on #10 teardrops, #12 gill pills. Most reports of weed fish in 8-12', but some suspended out away from weeds over sandgrass in 14-22'.
Information compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
