Wisconsin Statewide fishing report 9.22.11With so many hunting seasons open,
fishing pressure showed a sharp drop on many waters. In the north, there have still been quite a few musky anglers out and they have been seeing quite a bit of action along the deep weed edges. Some anglers have started dragging suckers with only mediocre success due to the warm early fall water temperatures. Walleye fishing has been steadily improving. Bass continue to be found in relatively shallow water with the best action late afternoons after the water has warmed up.
Bluegills were being caught throughout the Mississippi River backwaters. White bass and walleye were being caught below dams on the Rock River and catfishing has been good on the Crawfish River.
Strong southeast winds in the last week have made fishing on Green Bay and Lake Michigan difficult. Anglers continued to report some walleye and perch on the west shore off Oconto and some perch action at Little Sturgeon Bay on the Door County. Salmon were scattered up the Manitowoc and Twin rivers, but only a small number were seen by the dams with few caught. Similarly, despite some rain in the last week, water levels remain low on southeastern Lake Michigan tributaries, and few salmon have started to move upstream yet, though some were reported on the Sheboygan and Root rivers.
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties)
With nearly all of the major hunting seasons open, fishing pressure has shown a sharp drop on the most waters across the Northwoods. There have still been quite a few musky anglers out and they have been enjoying some decent weather conditions and pretty good success. Artificial baits such as bucktails and plastic swim baits (bulldawgs) continue to be the lures of choice, and have produced quite a bit of action along the deep weed edges. More and more anglers have started dragging suckers around -- with only mediocre success as it's still pretty tough keeping the suckers alive with the warm early fall water temperatures. Walleye fishing has been steadily improving and greater numbers of fish have been showing up in the shallows. Jig and minnow combinations worked on the deep edges and crank baits in the shallows near dark have produced the best success. Largemouth bass continue to be found in relatively shallow water, though they've been a bit more temperamental in their biting. The best action has been in the late afternoon hours after the water has warmed up over the course of the day. Smallmouth bass have still been active and some nice fish are still showing up in the local rivers flowages. They have still been found near cover along the deep water areas - but look for the fish to go deeper (and become harder to catch) with the declining water temperatures this fall. Panfish action has been good and some nice catches of bluegill and crappie have been made in the late afternoon hours. The fish have been found along weed edges and near mid-depth cover, with small minnows and night crawlers pieces producing the best success. Anglers are reminded that the general trout season closes on September 30 with most streams, rivers, and spring ponds closed to trout fishing. Many stocked trout lakes do remain open and those can be found in the Wisconsin Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide pamphlet.
Flambeau River State Forest The North Fork of the Flambeau is at good level for paddlers, just a bit on the low side which is normal for fall. Over the next few weeks should be a great time to take that trip down the Flambeau River to see some beautiful scenery in full color.
Turtle-Flambeau Scenic Waters Area Fishing appears fair with lots of room for more anglers as numbers are low. Water level is about average for this time of year at 1568.98 (3.02 feet down from full pool). More and more the landscape looks like fall. The trees show signs of yellows, oranges, and reds. There have been some hunters out pursuing mostly bear but some are bow hunting deer. Grouse hunting gets better as the leaves drop. The Turtle-Flambeau area offers four different hunter walking trails. A brochure with maps of the trails is available at our website:
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/turtleflambeau/nature.html#hunting or by calling the property manager at 715-476-7846.
PeshtigoThe fall salmon run is beginning as salmon move into rivers for their upstream migration. Fishing is usually best in early morning because the fish have not been disturbed all night and may be in the mood to strike.
Fishing on Green Bay has slowed some this past week due to the weather. Fishing pressure has been light to moderate with water temperatures in the low to mid 60's. Due to the expansion of Marinette Marine the Boom Landing facility has been closed for the season.
Marinette County The Peshtigo Harbor anglers are targeting smallies using spinners and crank baits, fishing seams and structure. At the Dam in Peshtigo the panfish bite is still good with the occasional pike being caught using small spoons and plastics. Little River Kings are showing up with anglers catching fish any time of the day or night, spawn sacks or Rapala's are taking the most fish. Low water on the Menominee River and the closure of Boom landing resulted in no interviews.
Oconto County Bluegill fishing at Stiles Dam remains strong with worm and bobber being the bait of choice. What a good time and place to take someone fishing who has never enjoyed the sport. The Brown Trout fishing has been slow in the river with anglers keying on the spawning areas using fly and spoons. Pensaukee landing anglers are still having some success with perch and walleye, although the numbers are down from 2 weeks ago. Early morning fishing at Oconto Breakwater Park has been producing some nice brown trout along with the occasional chinook and smallmouth bass. Heavy spoons in a variety of colors are what anglers are using. Perch and walleyes are still the main target of boaters from Oconto Breakwater Park and Oconto Park II, with some nice fish being caught weather permitting. Good electronics are a must, find the fish and stay on them.
Brown County Fox River shore anglers have been targeting walleye and catfish from the mouth ramp last week with anglers reporting catching a few fish. Night crawlers on wolf river rigs have been producing the best result. Also, anglers have reported catching numbers of drum and a few crappies as well. Anglers fishing via boat have had good success targeting walleye in the lower bay. Most have been finding walleye on structure in 15-20 feet of water. Harnesses or crank baits have been the number one tactic but anglers are also catching some walleye jigging or casting. Also anglers have been jigging the river up by the dam and producing some walleye. Musky anglers are reporting catching some fish in the lower bay. Trolling large crank baits has been working for most, but a few anglers have been casting as well. Shore fishing has been slow at Suamico with anglers catching a few small perch and rock bass. Most have been targeting these fish with a worm under a bobber. Walleye anglers have reported catching a few fish but the winds have not been in their favor this week causing tuff fishing. Anglers are trolling for musky with a few fish being caught. Bayshore Park perch anglers were finding good numbers of perch last week. Most have been targeting perch in 10-25 feet of water. Minnows on two hook bottom rigs have been working well. Perch anglers are also reporting catching numbers of gobies, drum and white perch.
Manitowoc County Strong winds all week at 15-20 mph from the northwest switched to southeast over the weekend. High temperatures remained between 60-65 degrees throughout the week, with the first rain event in a few weeks coming Sunday night. Water temperatures remain in the mid-60s for surface temperatures, with a temperature break occurring 110-120 feet down. The strong southeast winds created 3-4 foot waves and poor water clarity along the lakeshore. Warm water remains in the area along with very murky water from the strong southeast winds. Each pier in Two Rivers and Manitowoc this week (09/12-09/18) resulted in two to four fish each morning and afternoon, consisting mostly of chinook salmon. Due to the waves breaking over the piers over the weekend, very few anglers fished the piers. Instead, anglers moved into the harbors, where they also averaged the same amount of fish landed as the piers. The chinook have averaged 15 to 25 pounds and up to 41 inches. Anglers continue to have success on any green champs and cleos. Very few trout were landed this week besides in the Manitowoc marina where a few rainbows have been landed floating spawn. Salmon are now scattered up the rivers throughout the area, but only a small amount have been seen by the dams with one or two caught over the weekend. The strong winds most of the week resulted in a small number of boats out all week. Fishing remains relatively slow for those trolling the pier heads. These boats continue to average zero to four chinook salmon with an occasional small brown or rainbow trout. The few boats that headed out to 120-220 feet of water out of both Two Rivers and Manitowoc resulted in good numbers of chinook and rainbow trout. Down riggers down 110-120 to the temperature break resulted in the most success for two and three year old chinook salmon using a variety of green spoons and green dodger/fly combos. Various set-ups set to 50-70 feet down resulted in a few trout 7-10 pounds also using green spoons. Hook and line fishing is prohibited from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise in the Lake Michigan tributaries starting Sept. 15. Also starting Sept. 15, anglers may not use hooks that have a gape size larger than one-half inch from point to shank in the tributaries. If you observe any violations, please call 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367).
Door County Perch fishing at Chaudoir?s Dock has been spotty with anglers having to stay on the move to find numbers of fish. Most anglers are reporting fishing in 15 feet of water. A few walleyes are being caught as well with anglers trolling low light periods and producing good numbers of fish. Little Sturgeon Bay perch fishing has been good with anglers catching numbers of fish, but most have been small. Anglers are targeting weed beds or rock structure with good success. Bobbers with a small minnow for bait have been the best producer for most of the perch anglers. Bass fishing has been slow with few bass being caught off deep structure on jigs or drop shot rigs. A few anglers have been targeting pike with some success but its still seems a little to early in the season.
Waukesha County Water levels on Big Muskego are still low despite closing the dam back in June. The one-foot water level manipulation appears to have been successful with increased emergent plant growth, no nuisance bogs, and excellent submergent plant growth. The dry weather pattern has hindered recovery to the six inch drawdown goal for the months of June, July, and August.
Lake Michigan fisheries team report
Sheboygan County In Sheboygan the best action for trollers has been out to 300 to 400 feet of water, but reaching that depth has been difficult due to rough boating conditions. There have been only a few fish that have been caught near the harbor, and they were mainly chinook. The best lures have been spoons, with no specific color or pattern. Shore anglers fishing the piers have been catching occasional Chinooks on alewives, spoons, and crank baits. The water temperature near shore has been about 60 degrees. Fishing pressure on the Sheboygan River has been minimal, but some chinook have been spotted up as far as the Kohler dam. They are in relatively low numbers, and the water is still low. Most fish have been taken by fly anglers using woolly buggers. The Pigeon River is also low, and there has been very little activity there. Both rivers are about 58 degrees.
Ozaukee County In Port Washington shore anglers have been catching a few chinook off the pier, near the power plant, and in the harbor. Most fish have been taken on spawn, but a few have also been caught on spoons. Fishing on Sauk Creek remains slow, and the water level is very low. The water temperature in Sauk Creek is 54 degrees, and in the harbor it is 58.
Milwaukee County Trollers fishing off Milwaukee have been catching mature chinook and coho just outside the harbor. Farther offshore, trollers have also been catching smaller chinook, coho, and rainbows. The most success has been 30 to 60 feet down in water 150 to 300 feet deep, and baits in blues and greens have produced. Fishing remains generally slow in the harbor, although shore anglers have taken a few chinook behind the Summerfest grounds on crank baits. A few brown trout have also been taken off McKinley pier around daybreak. Water levels on the Milwaukee and Menomonee rivers and Oak Creek are very low, and more rain is needed in the area to draw the fish in. Some anglers have been fishing the Milwaukee River in Estabrook and Kletzsch parks, and they have reported very little action thus far.
Racine County Trolling near the harbor mouth in Racine has slowed, although fish can be seen jumping near the boat launch. Shore anglers have been able to catch a few Chinooks on spawn and crank baits. Trollers working offshore in 120 to 200 feet of water have had success fishing for coho and immature Chinooks. Spoons and flashers and flies fished 60 to 120 feet down have been the most productive. Blues, greens, and whites have been the best colors. Water levels on the Root River are still very low, but a few chinook have started to show up. Some have been taken near the steelhead facility and at other spots throughout the river. A variety of baits have been used.
Kenosha County Shore fishing in Kenosha has been good, with decent numbers of Chinooks, browns, and even rainbows taken in the harbor. Most fish were caught on fresh skein. Fishing in the Pike River has been slow, and flows are very low. Shore fishing near the mouth of the Pike has also been slow.
Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Crowds have thinned on the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway. Now is an excellent time to canoe the river without much chance of bumping into other paddlers. This river is slightly low for this time of year. Sandbars remain open for camping, and restroom facilities are still available at many landings along the river. Water levels can vary on a daily basis. Before canoeing please call 1-800-242-1077 for current river flow at the Prairie du Sac Dam. If flow rates are below 8,000 cubic feet per second the river is very shallow and navigation can become tricky. If rates are above 14,000 cfs sandbars begin to disappear, and camping location are difficult to find.
Grant County Bluegills are biting just about everywhere. Many local anglers report catching limits of hand sized and larger -- up to 9 inches in length on the backwaters of the Mississippi River from Wyalusing to Bertom-McCartney downriver from Cassville. Walleye and sauger anglers have been trolling wing dams in both Mississippi River pools 10 and 11 noting fishing has been slow with only a few small saugers and walleyes caught and released. Youth waterfowl hunters enjoyed this past Saturday with the Youth waterfowl season, noting a large concentration of wood ducks throughout the Mississippi River.
Water levels are low and many hunters commented on the large mudflats and lack of water which affected their hunts. Hunters for this weekend and next for the waterfowl openers on the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers, are reminded to scout ahead for hunting locations. Archery hunters had success on opening weekend in Richland and Grant Counties. All the registration stations had some deer brought in. Most bucks have polished antlers by now. Hunters reported good weather conditions, despite some rain on Sunday. Turkey hunters are reminded that in-person turkey registration is no longer available, effective fall 2011. Hunters can register their turkeys on-line at dnr.wi.gov, or by phone at 1-888-486-8947. Dove hunters are getting shooting opportunities at the dove fields in Richland and Grant counties, and also saw a few Canada geese. The Lower Wisconsin River continues to have low water levels, with lots of sandbars exposed.
Minocqua area fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/minocquafishingreport.htm
Lake Michigan Fishing Report and tips
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/lmfishingtips.htm
Wausau Area fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/wisconsinriverfishingreport.htm
Chippewa Flowage fishing report
http://www.wisconsinoutdoor.com/chippewaflowagefishingreport.htm
Information compiled from the WDNR Outdoor report and private sources
