Wisconsin Statewide Fishing Report 1.8.09
Ice depths on most lakes now range from 12 to 15 inches. Fishing pressure has been relatively heavy and action could generally be considered good. Panfish were the highlight with some real nice catches of crappie, perch and bluegill reported. Walleye were also providing some fair action, with fish being found in a wide range of depths and habitats.
Along Lake Michigan, many ice anglers were on Sawyer Harbor near Potawatomi State Park over the past weekend, and ice fishing is under way on Lake Superior along the south shore of Chequamegon Bay from Ashland through Washburn. The Madeline Island Ferry Line stopped running January 1 between Bayfield and Madeline Island. At this time the Madeline Island wind sled is running its normal schedule until the "Ice Road" is open.
The majority of the Mississippi River main channel is frozen over. Pretty much all the back waters of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers are frozen over too. Ice fishers having some success catching bluegills and crappies on the backwater areas.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
Ice depths on most lakes across the Northwoods now range from 12 to 15 inches, with about 3 to 5 inches of soft snow on top. Heavy snow in late December did result in quite a bit of slush on most lakes - but most of that has since frozen. However there are still scattered areas of deep slush in undisturbed areas and these can create travel problems it can 4 to 8 inches deep and quickly mire in a vehicle or ATV. Fishing pressure was relatively heavy over the long Holiday period and action could generally be considered good. Panfish were the highlight for many anglers and some real nice catches of crappie, perch and bluegill have been reported. Crappie and some nice bluegill were being found in deep water areas and suspended 3 to 5 feet off the bottom, with both small minnows and waxworms being productive baits. Perch were found on the deeper mud flats in 16 to 20 feet of water, with rosy reds and small fathead minnows being the preferred bait. Walleye were also providing some fair action on local lakes, with fish being found in a wide range of depths and habitats. Anglers were finding some nice eater walleye on the mud flats in 4 to 8 feet of water and some larger fish were being caught from deep break lines in 12 to 18 feet of water. Medium sized shiner and sucker minnows fished just off the bottom have worked best. Northern pike action has been generally slow, as the cloudy conditions and thick ice seems to have kept pike activity rather light.
Marinette County -
Cold temperatures, icy roads, and deep snow have combined to make ice fishing a little more challenging this winter. That being the case, the number of anglers (especially on the weekends) has been moderate to heavy in places. The fishing, like the weather, has been running hot and cold, so use a little extra caution, get out and try your luck. Wisconsin is beautiful this time of the year. Northern pike head the menu at the Peshtigo Harbor area and were being caught on tip-ups with large minnows. People are fishing the flats from the first shove up river past the mouth. Fishing for northern pike is a bit slow right now but the view from the mouth of the Peshtigo is well worth the time spent.
Oconto County -
The Oconto Breakwater Harbor is seeing heavy pressure on the weekends with most anglers keying on perch. The primary area being fished here is from the mouth of the Oconto River up river to the docking facilities. There are also a good number of northern pike anglers fishing the flats on the bay side of the causeway. Oconto Park II is also seeing its share of the action with the main emphasis on panfish. Perch, bluegill, sunfish, and the occasional crappie were being caught on jigs tipped with waxworms, spikes, and minnows. Many of the fish were running small, but the big ones were there.
Door County -
Anglers were fishing out of the Stone Quarry and having success catching northern pike and walleye while using a combination of jigging and tip-ups. Caution is urged when going out on the ice. Fishing for perch at Little Sturgeon Bay has been slow this last week. Anglers were spending most hours of the day for a minimal catches. The perch that were being caught were averaging in the 6 inch range or less. The perch that have been targeted have been being caught in different depths ranging from 5 to 10 feet. While also using minnows and wax worms with conventional jigging techniques. Some walleye and whitefish catches have been reported by Limekiln Road.
Potawatomi State Park
Many ice anglers were on Sawyer Harbor over the past weekend. Most anglers were concentrating on perch. They were using with minnows and wax worms; while using conventional jigging techniques. Although with the amount of fishing pressure, the fishing was slow. Anglers that were also targeting northern pike were having success with larger fish on tip-ups.
Wautoma
Ice fishing success has been good on Lake Poygan and Lake Winnebago. Anglers are reporting catches of walleye and white bass on both lakes.
Oshkosh
Lake Poygan is measuring around 18 inches of ice with good water clarity. Northern pike and walleye action has been good on Poygan but is reportedly starting to slow down. The bridges on Lake Winnebago were put out on Saturday. The ice is measuring 14 to 16 inches in most places, but caution should be used around inlets. As always the mouth of the river in Oshkosh is unsafe. Ice anglers have been catching mostly white bass and perch. The 2009 Lake Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing season will open on Saturday, Feb. 14. Spearing hours will be from 6:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. January's full moon (Wolf Moon) will be on Saturday.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County -
In Sheboygan the Sheboygan River is iced over upstream of 8th Street and open downstream. The marina has some ice in spots, but the majority is still open. Ice fishing in the marina has been relatively slow, but a few brown trout have been reported caught.
Ozaukee County -
In Port Washington ice anglers in the harbor have been catching a few brown trout on spawn sacs.
Milwaukee County -
In Milwaukee, the river under the Hoan bridge is unfishable due to large ice floes, but there is open water in the Menomonee River near the post office. Anglers there have been catching browns and northerns on shiners. McKinley Marina is frozen over, and a few browns have been taken through the ice on shiners and spawn sacs.
Racine County -
In Racine the Root River is now open and fishable upstream of Island Park. Stream flows are just about ideal for drift fishing. There are decent numbers of brown trout in the river, although action has been generally slow for anglers in Quarry Lake and Colonial Parks. Drifting spawn sacs through the deeper pools has produced the most fish.
Kenosha County -
The Small Boat Harbor in Kenosha is frozen over, and ice anglers have been catching some brown trout on spawn.
Willow River State Park -
Ice fishing action is slowing down. Panfish anglers reported spending more time to catch fewer bluegills. There was one report of tip-up action as daylight faded with one northern caught.
La Crosse DNR Service Center area
Sport fishing action in the La Crosse Area has varied from poor to moderate lately with ice fishers having some success catching bluegills and crappies in Mississippi River backwaters. Several tip-up fishers have been having success catching northern pike and largemouth bass. There has been some action on walleye and sauger below Dresbach, but most fish caught have been small. Ice conditions are generally good in the La Crosse area, but as always special caution is recommended when traveling on frozen rivers where springs and current can make ice thickness variable from location to location.
Crawford County -
The snowmobile trails in Crawford County are still officially closed. Unlike last week the Mississippi River slowly dropped. Last week the river got up to nearly 8 feet, however it is down to 7.4. Only daily water level readings are available throughout the winter, so no forecast is available. The majority of the main channel is frozen over. Pretty much all the back waters of both the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers are frozen over too. Generally speaking the ice conditions are pretty good, with a few exceptions. Most of the back water areas with no current flowing through them have around 10 inches. Sloughs with current flowing under the ice vary in thickness and can change daily. Caution must we used while traveling on the ice and safety precautions should be taken. Ice “creepers” or cleats are recommended because after some melting and re-freezing it is very icy and slippery out there. Most of the “slushy” spots that existed last week are frozen solid so travel on the ice is pretty good with the exception of the slippery conditions. Ice fishing in the area varies greatly. There has been a lot of fishing pressure on Sturgeon Slough recently. It has produced some decent bluegill and crappie at times but generally it slowed this week. Ice conditions there are pretty good especially with the falling water levels. McGregor Lake (aka Sturgeon or Horseshoe) has been very quite. Not many anglers have ventured out there and those that do have done poorly. Cold Spring’s ice conditions improved this week but caution is advised around the boat landing. Most anglers are still accessing Cold Spring from the southern lobe at the handicap access site and fishing the southern half because dangerous ice exists on the northern half of the southern lobe. Bluegill and crappie action at Cold Spring has been spotty to very slow. The Ambro Slough complex is starting to see more fishing activity and success has improved in some areas. Anglers are crossing over the Ambro Slough from the DNR boat landing. The USFWS boat landing on North Ambro Road is still very dangerous because Mill Coulee Creek enters there and open water or very thin ice exists. Mud Slough and Tilmont Lake have been very slow this week. Not many anglers are fishing there right now. Gremore Lake has been very slow and few anglers are even fishing there. The “bottom end” of Gremore Lake near the Ambro Slough anglers are finding some decent bluegill and crappie action. Fish Lake has produced some decent catches of bluegills on some days. Little Missouri has slowed down quite a bit this week. Most anglers are venturing up to Big Missouri and the Upper Doubles. Big Missouri has been producing decent sized bluegill and crappie. The Upper Doubles has produces lots of bluegill, but the size of most of the fish caught have been on the small size. Those using ATVs or other vehicles to travel on the ice are reminded that USFWS law prohibits operation on any shoreline, island, or upland area within the Refuge boundary. The Fennimore cut has shown improvement. Some decent crappie and bluegill have been taken there but action was spotty. Spring Lake is producing fish, but a fair amount of small ones. Even so some decent crappie and bluegill and a few perch are being taken there.
Compiled from the WDNR Outdoor Report and private sources
