Wisconsin Statewide fishing report 1.28.10On Green Bay, anglers were catching whitefish and perch, with most fishing in 10 to 30 feet of water at Little Sturgeon Bay, Henderson Point, and Sturgeon Bay. Perch up to 10 inches were being caught. There has not been much fishing activity going on farther south along Lake Michigan, as snowmelt and rain muddied tributaries and left the ice in most harbor ice is in rough shape. Open water anglers have been catching brown and occasional rainbow trout at Port Washington and browns and some northern pike at Milwaukee.
The Mississippi River rose after last weekend?s rain to 8.05 feet at Prairie du Chien, up about 4 inches from last week. Ice conditions deteriorated in some areas. The main channel remained frozen over, but travel is not recommended. After all the rain, there were large areas of standing water on the ice. Ice fishing was very good on some days during the warm stretch of weather, with nice catches of crappie, bluegill and perch reported.
With news earlier this week that traces of VHS fish disease have been found in low levels in fish from some parts of Lake Superior underscores the need, according to state fisheries officials, for anglers, boaters and bait harvesters to follow rules in place to prevent the spread of this disease.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
The mild weather of last week, coupled with the rain and snow storms in the last several days, have combined to make for some very sloppy ice conditions on lakes and flowages across the Northwoods. Most lakes still have 12 to 16 inches of ice, but there is a 4 to 8 inch layer of slush and snow on top of that. In addition, vehicle and ATV traffic have caused some large ruts and rough conditions, and this has resulted in some difficult travel conditions on the lakes. The upcoming cold weather should help firm up the sloppy conditions, but travel may still be troublesome on most waters. For fishing action, it seems that the mid-winter winter doldrums have set in and success has tapered off for most species in the area. Walleye action could be considered fair for this mid-winter time and most anglers are experiencing just enough action to keep them interested. Success has been erratic but the best catches have come on the cloudy and mild days, when temperatures reached up into the 20s and low 30s. The favorite bait continues to be small sucker minnows, fished 6 inches off the bottom in 8 to 12 feet of water and in the hour before dark. Northern pike activity has also slowed up in the last week as the increased snow cover seems to have moved the fish to a little deeper water. Panfish action has been inconsistent and these anglers have been moving around quite a bit. Anglers have been moving from lake to lake, and from spot to spot on a lakes - searching for the active fish. Success has been quite variable, with perch providing most of the action for the panfish anglers.
Woodruff
Walleye action is reported as fair with northerns being caught in fairly good numbers over heavy green weeds. The crappies are hanging in about 6 to 8 feet of water and associated with cabbage weeds. Bluegill action is reported to be on the rise and these fish are also being caught in the deep weed edges or associated with some structure. The more remote lakes are said to be the best sources for more abundant catches. Perch action is fair right now.
Marinette County ?
Walleye and white fish are being sought by the Turn Basin on the Menominee River. Moonshines and Rattlin Raps tipped with minnows on the treble hook for walleye and jigging spoons tipped with wax worms or minnow heads for white fish. Colors that are working well are the Fire Tiger and blue/silver. Walleye are still being caught by the Hattie Street Dam although the bite has slowed some. Panfish are being caught in the slough behind K-Mart and at the Hometown Marina.
Oconto County -
Geano Beach had a few temporary ice shacks to the south of the landing fishing for pike and perch. Oconto Breakwater had the most number of anglers with catches of perch, white fish, and pike. Perch are being caught in mouth area of the Breakwater as well as father out on the bay. White fish are being caught on jigs by the mouth of the Oconto and 50 or so yards out in the bay. Pike anglers are concentrating on the north side of the breakwater. Oconto Park I and II are seeing pike anglers plying the waters close to shore and in conjunction to areas where small creeks run into the Green Bay.
Sturgeon Bay
Volk?s reef has had some activity over the last week with anglers fishing for perch and whitefish. Most perch are being caught in 15-20 feet of water with a few anglers finding some very nice sized fish. The best action has been on waxworms or minnows. Bayshore Park anglers have put in a lot of time on the ice in the areas between Bayshore and Red river. Anglers are seeing whitefish and some nice catches of perch. Most anglers have been fishing in 10-30 feet of water. Anglers that are having the best luck on whitefish are jigging a Hali or Swedish pimple tipped with either a minnow or waxworm. There has been a lot of pressure for perch over the last week at Little Sturgeon Bay. Anglers have reported that fishing slowed a bit but there are still some nice perch being caught. Most anglers have been jigging or setting tip-ups for perch. Whitefish action continues to be good from Henderson point to Limekiln road with the best action in 10-30 feet of water. Jigging continues to be the most successful approach for whitefish. Sturgeon Bay anglers have been fishing in front of the state park. Perch have made up most of the catches with some nice fish around 10 inches being caught. Anglers have been jigging minnows for the best results.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
There has not been much fishing activity going on. The snowmelt and rain muddied up tributaries, and most harbor ice is in rough shape.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington open water anglers have been catching browns and occasional rainbows near the power plant discharge. Both spawn and crankbaits have produced fish.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee open water anglers fishing the Menomonee River at the MMSD offices have been catching a few northern pike, and brown trout have been taken on spawn by anglers fishing the river under the Hoan bridge. Most of Oak Creek is ice-free, but the water is high and muddy after the rain this past weekend.
Racine County - The Racine harbor is still iced over, with reports of 6 inches in Reefpoint Marina. There are some large open areas near the docks, though, so please use extra caution if you venture out. Anglers in the marina have been catching brown trout on spawn. The Root River is open from the Horlick dam through Colonial Park, but flows are very high.
Wyalusing State Park -
Ice fishing remains the most popular activity in the winter. Ice anglers try their luck on the frozen waters of the mighty Mississippi every day. With the recent plummeting temperatures, ice fishing activity has dropped substantially.
Crawford County -
Ice conditions in some areas took a beating. Even so most of the popular ice fishing spots have upwards of 8 to 12 inches of ice. Ice conditions vary greatly and are considered unsafe. Ice fishers are urged to use caution when traveling out onto the frozen waters. The main channel of the Mississippi River is frozen over, but travel on it is not recommended. Another dangerous spot is on the Ambro Slough just upstream from the USFWS boat landing. There, Mill Coulee Creek enters the Ambro Slough and open water/very thin ice exists. Ice fishers must now make sure they wear ice cleats on their boots as very slippery conditions exist on the frozen waters now that all the snow melted. After all the rain, large areas of standing water existed on the ice. Colder weather is expected so those areas should freeze up. Ice fishing was very good on some days during the warm stretch of weather. Prairie du Chien Area and Lower bottoms: Garnet Lake has decent ice but access is very dangerous. Fishing activity there has been spotty. Dilman?s pit was producing some very nice white bass (stripers) near the bottom of 40 feet of water, but that has slowed recently. Ice conditions are pretty good except for Rotten Slough, St. Feriole Slough and Hunter?s Slough which are located near the sewer treatment plant. Caution in these areas is advised. Anglers have been fishing between the Blackhawk and Washington Street bridges. Bluegill activity was good, but a lot of small fish were being taken. Prairie du Chien Ambro Slough Complex: The lower end of Gremore Lake really slowed down. Even so, some days a few crappie, bluegill and perch were taken. Tilmont Lake is still producing, at times, some very nice crappie and perch primarily in the morning or late in the day. Mud Slough, the Lower Doubles and Fish Lake have been very slow. Little Missouri was hot last week for a few days. Good catches of perch, crappie and bluegill were reported. Big Missouri and the Upper Double are starting to produce bluegill and crappie, but action remains spotty. The Fennimore Cut and Spring Lake have been spotty also, but a few decent crappie and bluegill along with a perch here and there have been reported. Largemouth bass have been active throughout the Ambro Slough complex. Panfish anglers report catching many undersized bass and few keeper size. Ice conditions are generally good with the exception of the area around the confluence of Mill Coulee Creek and Ambro Slough. Open water exists there. Sturgeon Slough Area: Sturgeon Slough has been very quiet recently. Some anglers have ventured down to Sturgeon (aka McGregor or Horseshoe) Lake but success there has been slow. Sturgeon Slough and Sturgeon Lake have good ice, however travel to Sturgeon Lake can be tricky. Stay on established paths. If water levels rise much more, Sturgeon Slough will begin to have water move through it thus causing fishing activity to drop off. Cold Spring: Fishing has been very slow. Reports of a few bluegill and crappie have been reported, but overall very slow. Ice conditions on the southern lobe are still good except when you get near the boat landing/stream where open water and very thin ice exists. Mississippi River: Walleye and sauger anglers have been venturing out onto the ice below the Lynxville dam. Ice conditions there vary greatly and day to day. Travel in this area is not advisable. Even so, some anglers have been vertical jigging or dead lining through the ice with a few sauger and an occasional walleye being taken. Ice conditions have been reported as ranging from an inch or two to 6 inches. Small game hunters found squirrel activity very good during last week?s warmer weather. Squirrel season will close a the end of the month. Rabbit hunters are reporting average to poor success. Those who hunt coyotes are finding the breeding season is beginning and there are ample opportunities out there. Some hunters find that wearing snowshoes really helps getting around.
Minocqua Wi. fishing report 1.26.10
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