Ice depths on northern lakes have reached the 12 to 14-inch range, and an increased number of anglers have been driving to fishing spots. Fishing success has remained very sporadic, with panfish providing the best action , with some success reported for crappie, bluegill and perch, with fish suspended a couple feet off the bottom in the deeper parts of the lake. Walleye action has been very erratic bite, with the most active bite reported just before dark. Northern pike fishing has also been erratic, with the best success on bright sunny days.
Ice conditions on Green Bay are starting to improve a bit, with anglers reporting 8 to 12 inches of ice in some areas. Angles were reporting fair catches of perch off the Dyckesville area at Little Sturgeon Bay and Sturgeon Bay. Also a few anglers have been targeting northern pike and whitefish with some success.
Open water anglers have been catching brown and the occasional rainbow trout near the power plant discharge Port Washington. The McKinley Marina in Milwaukee has approximately 5 top 7 inches of ice, with anglers catching an occasional brown trout on tip ups, and ice anglers in Kenosha have also been taking a few browns at the Southport Marina.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
Ice depths have reached the 12 to 14-inch range on most area lakes, with about 2 to 5 inches of light snow on top. An increased number of anglers have been driving out to their favorite fishing spots and travel has been pretty good. Most of the slushy areas have since frozen and many of the rough spots have been filled in and smoothed over. More seasonal and consistent weather has made for increased angling activity on waters in the area, but success has remained very sporadic. The best action has been for panfish and anglers have been spreading out among many of the smaller lakes in the area. Some reported pretty good success on crappie, bluegill and perch, with the fish being suspended a couple feet off the bottom in the deeper parts of the lake. Small teardrop jigs tipped with waxworms have provided the best action. Most tip-up anglers have been targeting walleye and they've been focusing on the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage, Butternut Lake and the Phillips chain. Many of these anglers reported a very erratic bite - with the walleye being very picky in the type and size of minnow they'll take (small sucker minnows), and real tentative in biting as well. In addition, the active bite has been rather short and intense, and usually concentrated in a 20 to 30-minute period just before dark. Most of the walleye that have been caught have been in the 12- to 16-inch size, but some nicer fish in the low 20-inch size have also been reported. Northern pike fishing has also been erratic. The best success has come on the bright sunny days, with a large golden shiner fished near the edges of any green weed beds. Most fish have been in the 18- to 22-inch size, but a few in the 30-inch range have also being caught.
Marinette County -
The dam below Peshtigo was still producing trout, both rainbow and brown. Remember a Great Lakes Trout stamp is required with a limit of five fish over 10 inches. The Menominee River has been producing some walleye around the Hattie Street dam on jigging raps, number 5/7 in a variety of colors, with blue/silver working well.
Oconto County -
A few pike anglers were plying their trade in the Geano Beach area. Perch and pike anglers continue to fish the Oconto Breakwater and Oconto Park II staying away from the bay proper. People were venturing out to fish pike at Oconto Park in the shallows, no catch information was available.
Green Bay
Angles fishing off the Dyckesville area have been getting some fair catches of perch, most have been targeting the perch in 20 feet of water or deeper. The best baits seem to be waxworms and minnows tipped on a jigging spoon. Also anglers that have been targeting whitefish have been doing well if they can find them. Most of the whitefish catches have been coming in around 15 feet of water. The ice conditions are starting to improve a bit, a few trucks have been venturing out onto the ice. Anglers have reported 8-12 inches of ice. Anglers have been accessing the ice from Bayshore and Red River as well. Perch fishing in Little Sturgeon Bay was fair over the last week with some decent catches; most of the perch have been on the smaller side. The pike action has started on the bay with some very nice fish being caught. Also anglers that are targeting white fish have been doing well. Most of the whitefish action has been between Henderson point and Limekiln road. Anglers have been targeting the white fish in 10-30 feet of water. Anglers have been using a variety of baits including minnows, waxworms, and spawn. Sturgeon Bay anglers that have been fishing perch have found fair success with a few being caught by the state park. Also a few anglers have been targeting northern pike by the yacht club with some success.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan eight inches of ice has been reported in the marina, but fishing there has been slow.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington open water anglers have been catching browns and occasional rainbows near the power plant discharge. Both spawn and casting artificials have produced fish. The west slip has open water, and the north slip is mostly open as well.
Milwaukee County -
McKinley Marina in Milwaukee has approximately 5-7 inches of ice. Anglers there have been catching occasional brown trout, and tip ups have produced with both shiners and spawn. Ice anglers have also been fishing in the lagoon at Lakeshore State Park, but action there has been on the slow side. Open water anglers fishing the Menomonee River at the MMSD offices have been catching a few northern pike.
Racine County -
The Racine harbor is ice covered, but use caution as the ice thickness varies considerably. Water clarity in the harbor has been somewhat poor, but both browns and rainbows have been caught.
Kenosha County -
Ice anglers in Kenosha have taken a few browns on minnows and spawn in Southport Marina.
Chetek Chain Of Lakes Fishing Report 1.14.10
http://wisconsinoutdoor.com/smf/index.php?topic=3221.0Minocqua Wi. area fishing report 1.13.10
http://wisconsinoutdoor.com/smf/index.php?topic=3217.0Tomahawk, WI. Fishing Report 1.12.10
http://wisconsinoutdoor.com/smf/index.php?topic=3209.0http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/solunar.htmInformation compiled from the WDNR outdoor report and private sources
