Fishing report 4-5-14

Damn, it is nice to be back to doing these.

The premise...it is still very early, but open water things are starting to happen.

• Fish are moving in at Depere. The action is still early, but is fairly consistent by all reports.
• The Walleye are biting very well in the Dells. Some larger fish are starting to come in as well.
• The Jefferson-Blackhawk strecth of the Rock River has fish moving in. The action has been day to day but the fish are already moving towards the dam. 

Full moon is coming, as is some warmer weather...time to get that boat on the river.

Talk to you soon.

CT

Kids Fishing Clinics

CONTACT:   Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist, 414- 263-8614

SUBJECT:    Young anglers can receive free instruction at 30th Annual Kids’ Fishing Clinics

                        

MILWAUKEE – Kids 15 years and younger can mark the arrival of spring by attending free fishing clinics on Saturday, April 12, at several lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties. Clinics will be held every hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last clinic starting at 2 p.m.

"These clinics give kids a chance to learn about fishing, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to find out what fishing is all about," said Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist. “And it’s just a great opportunity for kids to get outside away from the electronics, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer.”

Members of local fishing clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules and fish identification. In spite of the unseasonably cold spring weather, the fishing instruction portion of the clinics will take place even if there is still ice cover.

“For 30 years, sport fishing groups have been the heart and muscle of this program,” Coffaro noted. "They do an outstanding job of teaching kids the basics of fishing and that fishing is fun. None of this works without the dedication of the volunteers."

The Department of Natural Resources and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery will stock fish in the urban waters before the kids’ clinics are held. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible.

Adult anglers are reminded that from March 8 through April 25, urban fishing waters are restricted to fishing by juveniles 15- years-old and younger and certain disabled anglers. Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are continuously and cooperatively managed with a municipality. The 2014 – 2015 fishing regulations list urban waters with these special regulations. The rule is designed to give young anglers and anglers with disabilities an opportunity to fish close to home before competition from adults limits their chances to catch fish.

Locations for the April 12 kids’ fishing clinics are:

Milwaukee County

            Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (Hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club)

            Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124 St. (Hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen; Milwaukee Casting Club)

            Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave. (Hosted by Lunkers Unlimited)

            McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Southside Sportsmen’s Club)

            McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51 Blvd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Badger Fisherman’s League)

            Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St. (Hosted by Bay View Rod & Gun Club)

            Oak Creek Parkway, Oak Creek Pkwy and Mill Rd. in South Milwaukee (Hosted by Friends of the Oak Creek Millpond)

            Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Rd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Walleyes Unlimited, USA)

            Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Dr. (Hosted by South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing & Hunting Club)

            Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by E.B. Garner’s Fishing Club)

            Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave. (Hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club)

           Racine County

Quarry Lake Park, 3800 Northwestern Ave. in Racine (Hosted by Salmon Unlimited)

           Sheboygan County

            Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane in Sheboygan (Hosted by Great Lakes Sports Fishermen-Sheboygan County Chapter)

Washington County

            Sandy Knoll Park, 2064 Wallace Lake Rd. in West Bend (Hosted by Trout Unlimited Southeast Chapter; West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers)

Waukesha County

                                    No park entrance fee will be charged.

                                    Parking passes will be distributed at the event.

            Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7844 Town Line Rd. in Menomonee Falls, one-half mile north of Good Hope Rd. (Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen)

Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd. in Brookfield (Hosted by Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club)

            Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd. in Muskego (Hosted by Women’s Hunting and Sporting Association)

Fishing Report 3-30-14

Just a reminder...if you haven't done so already, you need a new fishing license.

River fishing is in a very early stage, but some positive reports are starting to trickle in. The reports from the Dells have been more positive, but I'm hearing some scattered reports from the Rock River as well.

The Milwaukee Harbor and the rivers have been active, but it seems like some days have been dramatically better than others. (Not unusual for this time of year)

On the area lakes, the panfish are in late ice areas, relating to the last of the weeds. Ice is getting a bit sketchy, especially in high traffic areas and areas in or adjacent to current but the baitshops are still reporting people are heading out. Be careful out there, PFD, Buddy-System and rescue tools for sure.

More as I get it.....

Cheers,
CT

Lunkers Garage Sale-This Week

This is always a can't miss event for me. This Thursday, 6-9pm in Hartland at the Bowling Alley.

April 3 rd Thursday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Hartbrook Lanes 550 Hartbrook Drive, Hartland, WI
Come early and bring your old fishing and boating equipment 
Rent a table for $5.00 to sell your stuff.
Rods, Reels, Lures, motors, tackle, and a little of everything.
For info or to reserve table space call: Jeff Bartlett 262-894-2790

Lunkers Website is Here

I'll be there. Drop by and we can chat about fishing the Rock River or crappies when the ice comes off the lakes. Looks like it is going to be a unique spring opener this year...you'll certainly want to be stocked up on suspending jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits.