Wisconsin Statewide fishing report 4.3.11Some southern lakes are opening, but others remain ice covered. Some bays of Lake Mendota in Madison were open, but ice remains on the main body. Devil?s Lake in Sauk County remained ice covered as of this week. With night temperatures in the single digits in the north, ice cover on Northwoods lakes remains at up to 16 inches and there is still 2 to 3 feet of ice on Chequamegon Bay of Lake Superior.
Despite the cold weather, late-season ice anglers should be very cautious as access and ice conditions can change in a hurry with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Ice fishing pressure has been light, with perch providing the most consistent catches in the north.
The cold temperatures and runoff from last week?s storm slowed action on Lake Michigan tributaries, which were running high but have now begun to drop. Some steelhead have been reported on the East and West Twin, Manitowoc, Menomonee and Root rivers. The Root River Steelhead Facility started processing fish March 30, with just a few fish spawned.
The Mississippi River and tributaries in southwestern Wisconsin remain very high, with many at or near flood stage. As of Monday, the Mississippi River was up to 15.94 feet at Prairie du Chien and rising and expected to reach 16.5 feet this week then hold steady for a while. The Kickapoo River crested at just over 14 feet at Gays Mills on Saturday and is now falling. Most Mississippi River backwater areas are now ice free and the ice fishing season has come to an end. Many boat launches are underwater now and not usable.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -
The unseasonably cold weather in the last week has put the spring thaw on hold and ice thickness on the lakes has remained in the 14 to 16 inch range. The heavy snow that was received on March 23 has settled and melted quite a bit, though there is still a 3 to 4 inch layer on most lakes. Access areas and south-facing shorelines are still pretty soft from heavy use and sunny conditions, but a few
anglers are still using ATVs to get out to their favorite fishing spots. Any late season ice anglers should be very cautious as access and ice conditions can change in a hurry with sunny skies and warm temperatures. Late-season ice fishing pressure has been rather light across the area and panfish anglers have had limited success in this past week. The warm daytime sun has provided some pleasant fishing conditions, but anglers have had to move around quite a bit to find active fish. Perch have continued to provide the most consistent catches, and they have been found just off the bottom on the mud flats and near old weed beds. A few anglers have been able to find some fair catches of crappie, but they've had to try some new lakes and some have found the crappie suspended 4 to 5 feet below the ice.
Peshtigo
Weather conditions this past week, since the big snow, have been unseasonably cold, restricting the fishable areas to below the dams on the Oconto, Peshtigo, and Menominee rivers. Success has been limited with moderate fishing pressure.
Marinette County
Most of the fishing pressure has been at the dam in Peshtigo with anglers keying on trout and walleye. Although a few nice browns have been reported, the walleye bite has yet to start. Floating stick baits have been the bait of choice due to the rocky nature of the Peshtigo River at the sites open to fishing.
Oconto County
Below the dam at Stiles and the iron bridge area are open to fishing. Anglers are targeting trout and walleye using spinner baits, stick baits, and twister tails. A few rainbow trout were reported. The parking lots on both sides of the Stiles Dam have not been plowed. Northern pike anglers were venturing a short way out on the ice north of the Oconto breakwater causeway. Care must be taken as ice conditions changes rapidly from morning to afternoon.
Manitowoc County
The winter storm a week ago Tuesday and Wednesday brought in colder temperatures in the mid-20s with wind chills as low as 14 degrees. Eight inches of snow during the storm combined with three-quarters of an inch of rain limited fishing pressure and changed the water conditions by the weekend. Northwest to northeast winds at 15-20 mph with gusts up to 25 mph made for bitterly cold fishing conditions. The high, murky waters early in the week changed after the winter storm with water levels dropping over a foot and the water clearing up. Water temperatures remained steady all week at 32 degrees. By the weekend, the improved tributary conditions resulted in decreased angler success. Steelhead anglers fishing the West Twin River had a feast early in the week catching 2 to 6 pound steelhead at will. The higher water, with less water clarity appeared to be the ticket with many anglers going home with two to five steelhead. After the mid-week storm, water clarity improved and water levels dropped. This resulted in only four to six steelhead caught a day by all anglers combined. An occasional brown trout has been landed, with all the trout caught by floating spawn. Try all the areas from the conservation club up to the Shoto dam. In the city of Mishicot on the West Twin River, water conditions saw the same changes. The numbers have been down compared to Shoto, but several steelhead have still been caught on floating spawn. The areas just downstream from the fire station and by the dam have been the most successful locations. This area also continues to see an occasional brook trout in the 10- to 15-inch range with great colors. In and around the city of Manitowoc, Silver Creek and the Little Manitowoc River were the only areas to result in success this past week. A few steelhead have been landed also floating spawn in both areas. The numbers are nowhere near the East and West Twin Rivers, but these small tributaries have prime trout habitat with good water conditions to allow for a good steelhead run in the near future. Please remember the following regulations this spring on the tributaries. Hook and line fishing is prohibited from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the tributaries from Sept. 15 to the first Saturday of the following May. Also during this time, you may not use hooks that have a gape size larger than one-half inch from point to shank in tributaries. If you observe any violations, please call 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367).
Wild Rose Fish Hatchery
The Wild Rose Fish Hatchery Education Center will be open to visitors for spring on weekends in April, beginning on April 2. Visitor Hours on Saturdays are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In May, the Education Center will be open Thursdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Daily tours are scheduled at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and meet in the Education Center. To schedule guided group tours for 10 to 30 people, please call Naturalist Educator at (920) 622-3527, Ext. 209, or email: joan.voigt@wisconsin.gov two weeks ahead.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County - In Sheboygan, there has been no recent activity on the north pier due to icy conditions, and fishing has been slow off the south pier. The water temperature in the harbor is still in the low 30s. Some anglers have been trying the open areas in the marina with no success. On the Pigeon and Sheboygan rivers, water levels have dropped, but steelhead fishing remains slow.
Ozaukee County - In Port Washington the ramps are still on dry ground, and the word is they will be set in the water on April 1. Boaters can launch, and the marina is free of ice. Several boaters have been out fishing, with limited success for browns. In the Port Washington harbor, angler activity has been spread out along the inner harbor. A few rainbows and browns have been taken near the gazebo area on golden shiners under a bobber. Sauk Creek has returned to fishable levels, but very little action has been reported.
Milwaukee County - In Milwaukee, McKinley Marina is open and the boat launch piers are in the water. The Bender Park launch is currently closed, with dredging slated to take place in April. Shore fishing in Milwaukee has been slow at the lakefront, but anglers fishing steelhead on the Menomonee River and Oak Creek have had some success. Skein has been the most consistently productive bait.
Racine County - Over this past weekend, the Root River was still flowing high, fast, and cold. Precipitation from earlier in the week caused the river to really spike during midweek. This spike carried through Friday but was gradually falling over Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday the flow was still fast and high, but much more manageable. These conditions allowed for the best fishing to be found on Sunday. The water temperatures over the weekend were holding around 38 degrees Fahrenheit. The water turbidity has improved slightly but is still stained with relatively low visibility. At the Horlick dam, fishing was hit-or-miss. Pressure was spread out from the dam and downstream over the first 100-200 yards of river. Anglers reported hooking up at least a couple of times but the fast and high flowing water made landing the fish much more difficult. The steelhead that were harvested ranged from 3-6 pounds. Fin clips indicated mostly Ganaraska strain steelhead with a few Chambers Creek. One nice spawning female Ganaraska caught was 6 pounds and 27.25 inches. It was taken tight to the dam on an orange fly. Fishing pressure farther downstream on the Root was pretty minimal. A few anglers were fishing around Lincoln Park, both upstream and downstream from the weir. Steelhead catches were sparse but a few incidental suckers were caught. The Root River Steelhead Facility is up and running for the spring season. DNR crews processed fish for the first time on Wednesday, March 30. Some Chambers Creek strain steelhead were spawned, and an additional 72 steelhead were released upstream. Fish will probably be processed again on Tuesday, April 5. Racine boaters launching at Pershing Park and making the run to the Oak Creek Power Plant have been catching decent numbers of brown trout while jigging. Please use caution if you choose to venture there, as conditions on the lake can change very quickly.
Kenosha County - n Kenosha, shore fishing has been slow near the boat launch, but anglers fishing near the Best Western have been catching a few brown trout on small spoons. Flows on the Pike River have dropped since last week, and a few steelhead have been seen.
South Central Region
South Central Region fisheries crews are beginning annual spring netting surveys as ice goes out. While northern crews are still icebound, fisheries staff in the southern counties are actively on the water each day as the spring season unfolds. Horicon, Janesville and Madison crews are setting fyke nets to assess walleye and northern pike populations on Lazy Lake (Columbia County), Lake Koshkonong (Rock County) and Lake Monona (Dane County). Crews routinely survey marshy areas, river and stream mouths and shorelines receiving the warm spring sun to capture fish looking for favorable spawning habitat. During a typical 30-day netting season, crews will measure, weigh and mark game fish to characterize the populations and estimate relative abundance. Similarly, panfish and bass species will also be sampled but no population estimates conducted. Spring netting is the standard protocol with which fisheries managers can evaluate responses to regulations, fish condition and growth, as well as gain insight on the relative balance of fish communities found in lakes across Wisconsin.
Dane County
Panfishing has been slow around Dane County but as ice goes out and the weather warms look for panfish to move into areas that warm up quickly. Anglers should be reminded that the game fishing season is closed and does not open until May 7. It is illegal to fish for game fish even if you intend to practice catch and release. Lures should consist of bait that will primarily attract panfish and not game fish. Anglers need to pay attention to signs while fishing around Dane County as there are many closed areas that are designated as refuges. These areas include parts of Tenney Park, Vilas Park, the Dunkirk Dam and Yahara River downstream from Babcock Park.
Sauk County
The Wisconsin River at the Prairie du Sac dam has very high water conditions. The walleyes are getting closer to spawning and anglers are catching some nice walleyes. Be careful on the river while fishing from shore or in a boat due to the high water conditions.
Baldwin
Winter has returned and slowed up the spring thaw which has reduced local flooding, for now. Recent cold and snow has made area lakes appear frozen tight, but they are not. A few anglers are venturing out on some lakes, but extreme caution is advised. Bears are starting to be seen and are hungry so please keep food, and bird feeders away. If you have a bear hanging around even after food sources have been removed and is actually causing problems, then call Wildlife Services at 1-800-228-1368. Mississippi and St Croix river water levels are at minimum flood stage. Some area trout streams are still very fishable including the Kinnickinnic and Rush rivers.
Crawford County
Many of the local rivers in the area are currently at flood stage or have already crested. Persons living in low lying areas in these river basins are urged to take precautions to protect property and lives. The Mississippi River started rising two weeks ago after ?bottoming out? at 8.44 feet. As of Monday, the Mississippi River is up to 15.94 feet and rising. Action and flood stages on the Mississippi River are 13 and 16 feet respectively. The seven-day forecast for the Mississippi River is for it to reach 16.5 feet sometime this week then hold steady for a while. Last week the Kickapoo River in Gays Mills and Steuben was at 12.35 feet and 11.45 feet respectively. In Gays Mills the current river stage is at 10.4 feet and falling. The river crested at 14.13 on Saturday in Gays Mills. Flood stage in Gays Mills is at 13 feet. The forecast in Gays Mills is for the river to continue to drop. Flood stage in Steuben is 12 feet. The river was at 11.5 feet and falling this week. In Steuben the river crested on Sunday at 12.5 feet. The forecast in Steuben is for the river to continue to drop. Last week the Wisconsin River reached 5.57 feet on Saturday. It was at 4.72 feet early in the week and falling. Flood stage on the Wisconsin River is at 9 feet. Most ice in the back waters of local river systems is gone. Moderate temperatures, run off and increasing water levels have opened most areas up. Access to ice fishing spots has changed for the worse. Shore lines are now under water in most places. Access to boat landings on the Mississippi River are hard to get to with the high water. Ambro Road is closed due to high water. Bluegill, crappie and perch fishing is pretty much shut down now. Gremore Lake?s ice is almost gone and what remains is extremely dangerous and impossible to fish from. The upper stretches of the Ambro Slough Complex are completely under water and swift current is flowing through the area. Areas like the Big/Little Missouri, Upper and Lower Doubles and Fish Lake are not producing fish because of the high water. Spring Lake?s ice is almost gone and assess is impossible. Sturgeon Slough and the McGregor (Horseshoe) Lake area are under water. However action at Cold Spring really picked up. Perch moved in and anglers were catching perch up to 14 inches. The only access was from the handicapped parking area on the south end, however conditions there are rapidly changed. By Sunday perch action had slowed and anglers had to use planking to get to the ice. Most likely ice fishing will no longer be available there. The boat landing now has water creeping into the parking area and launching boats there is difficult. The boat landing at Gordon?s Bay is under water and the access road to it is closed. Perch action in the slack water along the long wall has been decent. The ice broke up behind the long wall this week so anglers will no longer be able to fish through the ice there. Now that the ice has left the river systems are seeing a variety of birds. The most notable migrants have been robins, red-winged blackbirds, bluebirds, and sandhill cranes. On the river a variety of waterfowl can be seen. Diver ducks like canvasback, redhead, scaup, golden eye, bufflehead and mergansers are showing up by the thousands. Numerous eagles can now be seen in/around the Prairie du Chien area and up and down the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers. Eagles are paired up and actively tending nests and most likely their eggs. ?Shed hunters? are still out. Conditions are very good as most of the snow is gone. Please be courteous and ask permission before entering private land.
Minocqua area fishing report
http://wisconsinoutdoor.com/smf/index.php?topic=4318.0Lake Michigan Fishing Report and tips
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htmInformation compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
