Okauchee Launch Opens October 3rd

Just in time for Musky Season:

October 1, 2015

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - The Department of Natural Resources will re-open the Okauchee Lake public access site beginning Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015. The public access site is located in the Village of Oconomowoc and was closed this summer for construction.
Work at the site involved reconfiguring traffic flow through the site, construction of additional parking, storm water control measures, and installation of a kiosk.
The launch is open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Contact(s): John Olson, DNR state boat access engineer, 608-267-7484; or Lance Stock, DNR property manager, 920-988-9835

Fishing Report 9-28-15

Sorry I've been away gang...that whole teaching thing has limited my time on the water.

Around the area water is hovering around the high 60's to low 70's, but with rain and cooler weather on the way, expect the shorter nights to start dropping water temps. Weeds are still thick, and water levels are around average for this time of year. Baitfish are still very plentiful since many of them hatched late.

Panfish have begun to transition to fall patterns. Look for keepers at the ends of long weedy points, or suspended around shallow grass in current areas. Plastics tipped with small live bait are usually solid options this time of year, but don't overlook the use of larger live bait for keepers.

LM Bass fishing has settled into a traditional early fall pattern. Fish will bite periodically through out the day, but usually in short feeding spurts, and the afternoons and evenings are the best times of day. Topwater, especially buzzbaits and poppers will pull up active fish. Fishtight to cover early, but get more active around 10am. Be ready to move around to find active fish, but concentrate on areas with rock/weed transitions.

SM Bass fishing...it is time to break out the live bait. Fish will relate to breaklines, moving up to shallow water to feed, but then out to deep water between feeding runs. Deeper breaks off of points or shallow rocky areas are the best place to start. Don't be shy about the live bait, but deep diving crankbaits in white or crawfish patterns can save a day this time of year.

Walleye fishing has been on the slow side for the last ten days. I expect the fishing to get better as the weather stabilizes over the next period of time. A few anglers have been heading to the rivers to get a jump on the fall runs.

Musky fishing has been a little slower than I would have expected. Based on my own fishing and some reports, I'd say its below average. It is sure to pick up soon. In the meantime, gliders, dawgs, bucktails and jerkbaits are solid options, but it is the start of sucker season, make sure to keep one out while targeting muskies.

Good Luck,
CT

2015 Labor Day Weekend Fishing Report

Water levels are higher than they have been, and water temps are in the low 70's.

Panfish continues to be the hot bite in the area. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water, as well as in mid-depth weeds. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce. Evenings have been better, as is typical for this time of year.

Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On the hot sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep in 12-15 FOW. On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. Topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning.

Smallmouth fishing has picked up as fish are starting to put on the fall feedbag. Look for them around the edges of the shallow structure like rock bars or sand/rock transition areas. The fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite.

Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water.

Walleye fishing has been entirely inconsistent lately. People still fishing at night are reporting some success off the deeper sand flat areas, but a few decent fish are being caught out of the shallow weeds very early in the morning using rapalas or similar minnow baits.

Musky are getting more active, but anglers are still reporting lots of lazy follows. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced limited action in the past week, but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably.

Good Luck,
CT

Fishing Report 8-28-15

Hey gang,


I was out several days this week. The cooler weather really changed the on the water conditions. Water temps are in the high 60's to low 70s. Fishing has been great, but not too many people have been heading out with the high winds/unstable weather we have had. More unstable weather on tap for this weekend, but it will be replaced with some hot/sunny weather next week as we head towards the holiday weekend.

Panfish has been the hot bite the last couple of weeks. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce, but you may have to put in a little time to find the keeping size fish. Evenings have been better, as is typical for this time of year, but fish can be caught all day if you stay mobile to stay with the schools of suspended fish.

Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On the hot days next week, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep. (Docks should be an awesome shallow pattern in the heat next week) On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. The topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning, but rocks will hold fish all day. Live bait: It is time to go big or go home with your minnows-large shiners or small suckers on slip sinkers or slip bobbers, but the usual mix of soft plastics - wacky, jigworms and skirted grubs up shallow, jig and chunks, grubs, texas or mojo rigs out deep.

Smallmouth fishing has been spotty, more or less all season.  Look for them around the edges of the shallow structure like rock bars or sand/rock transition areas. Tip: Fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite, but drop shotting in 25-32 FOW will be a hot pattern this coming week. A great week to bust out the wading gear and look for fish in the isolated sections of the Bark or Oconomowoc rivers.




Pike fishing has been slow. A fair number of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. Spinners, buzzbaits or jerkbaits will produce, but I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with larger active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water.

Musky should be moving during the full moon cycle this weekend, but the the best is yet to come. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably over the next couple of weeks.

Good Luck,
CT

Fall Outings

The water temperature is now below 70 degrees. Time to start thinking about fall fishing trips.

I'll be on the water as long as weather permits this year, but my schedule is a bit tighter than the last couple of years. If you're thinking of getting out, please Email me to discuss your date.

Only gets better from here on out....

Fishing Report 8-20-15

Water is in the mid 70's, still low. There's been another late baitfish hatch and there's lots of pin minnows about.

The big news of the week was the weather. We've had period of rather stable weather, but that run was broken up with a couple of days with rain and much cooler temperatures. Typically when things cool off quickly like that, fish will continue to bite, but they'll have a much smaller strike zone. This means you need to slow down and be more methodical with your presentations. Fish tight to cover, and take a deep breath to slow down.


Remember my rule of slowing down: If you think you're fishing slow enough, you're still fishing twice as fast as you should be.


Panfish bite has been very good, and some quality bags are coming in. Generically the fish are moving to weed-edges and shallow weed clumps at the end of points. Classic late summer behavior. The best fishing is in the deeper weeds along the bottom/drop off of main lake structure/points. Slip bobbers will work, but vertically fishing for the deeper fish can really produce. Don't be afraid to use big bait, including panfish leeches if you can find them. If they're not on the ends of structure, move out to the adjacent deep water and look for them suspended at the depth of the nearby structure. (So if the point ends in 15 FOW, move out deeper, but look for the fish to be down 15')

Bass are starting to school up and chase bait. Look for active fish to be chasing late hatching baitfish on shallow flats. Topwaters, jigworms, grubs and wacky worms can really catch some quality bags right now, especially if you're close to active fish. Docks and slop have been pretty hot with the warmer weather, but after the front went through flipping or working a texas rig or jig worm through isolated weed edges and clumps produced some quality bites for me the last couple of days.

Walleye are using weed edges and patrolling the flats for bait. Jigging in the weeds can be dynamite, especially early and late, but don't be afraid to work edges/drops in 12-18 FOW, or to throw minnowbaits around grass patches. Controlled drifting or back trolling with lindy rigs has been working on the windy days where jigging has been tough. Don't fish an area without visible baitfish right now, and be ready for whitebass to steal lots of bait.

Pike are making an early fall move, and I saw several quality pike patrolling the shallow water in search of food when I was out yesterday. Buzzbaits, spinners and small lipless crankbaits will all produce right now, but the real ticket is a slip sinker rig with heavy floro and a small sucker dragged ever so slowly through weeds in 18-25 FOW.

Musky fishing was pretty slow this past week. My regular sources all reported a tough week with the changing conditions and high winds.

Fishing Report 8-13-15

Hey gang,

Been a tougher than average week out there. Water levels are down, and the wind has been up. Fish can be caught, but you'll need to adapt (sometimes on the fly) to conditions throughout the day.

Water temps are in the mid to high 70's around the area, and there were a couple of late season baitfish hatches this week which have some hefty schools of minnows swimming around. Gamefish continue to be spread out, and can be caught shallow or deep...sometimes both at the same time.

Patterning fish remains challenging, and there's a fair amount of spot fishing occurring right now.

Panfish are suspending along the edges of deep structure, but can be anywhere from just under the surface to 18 Feet down over deep water. The usual deep water approaches (split shot rigs tightlined, or slip bobbers will work) but here's a hot tip. A small popper or fly tipped with live bait will generate some quality bites when fished near vertical drop offs. I've seen this approach work before, but to be frank, I have never seen it so consistent as I did in the later part of this week. I had a batch of quality bluegills two days this week. I assumed the first time was a fluke, but it worked again this morning. Topwater fishing for bluegills with a ultralight is one heck of a fun time by the way.

Largemouth Bass continue summer patterns. With the clear skies and sunny days, docks and slop have really turned on in the shallows, and there's another batch of fish that you can chase down in 12-18 FOW with texas or carolina rigs. Topwater is working until about 8-8:30, then the fish are hunkering down. You can fish actively early, but you'll need to slow way down and be precise to keep getting bites.

Smalllmouth have been hit or miss this week. An observation (and nothing more) when current is flowing in our local lakes/rivers, the smallmouth seemed to bite better this week...but when there was little to no flow (like today) I caught far more largemouths. I was curious about this observation, and while I only have my own (extensive fishing) logs to go by, it does seem to be a factor, especially in the Oconomowoc and Bark River lakes in the area. That said, targeting smallmouth can be accomplished by fishing the weed/rock transitions, as well as the shallow weeds adjacent to deeper water (like those along a depth contour transition or at the ends of shallow structure/points) Topwaters, including spooks and smaller size poppers are producing, but don't overlook floating minnow baits. By mid morning the bite has been shifting out a bit, where grubs and tubes will continue to produce. Did some dropshotting out in the way deep today, but only caught a couple of smaller fish...the bite was much better in 6-12 FOW. If you find some fish cruising a shallow bar, wacky, tubes, skirted grubs or small crawfish colored crankbaits will produce.

Walleye fishing was about average, with some whitebass mixed in. Fish were shallow and deep, but really holding tight to weeds in both areas. Jigging and rigging with live bait was productive, but some anglers are starting to fish the weedtops with minnowbaits in the evening, and that has been a decent (but not great) bite this past week. Leeches are getting harder to come by, but use them if you can find them, otherwise a crawler or small sucker or chub are your best options.

Pike fishing was pretty standard this week. Buzzbaits, spoons, spinners and lipless crankbaits were catching fish, as were heavy line slip sinker rigs with circle hooked suckers. The weedlines in 14-22FOW had the best fish, but there are still some nice fish cruising the shallow rockbars.

Musky: I didn't hear anything solid this week, but check back next week.

Good Luck,
CT

Fishing Report 8-7-15

Water temps are in the high 70's. Some fish are still chasing baitfish, but the best action for the next spell will be to target rocks and sand where gamefish are rooting for softshell craws. 

In general terms : The cooler mornings are a key time to target active fish in shallow to mid-depth water. Look for them in the usual places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they feed actively. The changes in the photocycle and the length of day will be evident to the fish, and you can expect to seem them get active.

Panfish are still running late summer patterns. You can find quality fish suspended over deeper water, or in middepth weeds. Live bait rigs are you best bet, but plastics tipped with waxies or spikes and fished on slip bobbers can be crazy good at times. Night fishing has been very good for bluegills, as it typically is this time of year.





With the molt occurring, Largemouth bass are in the shallow water around the rock/sand/weed transition areas. Skirted grubs, small crawfish imitating crankbaits, tubes and wacky rigs. Docks and slop are holding fish during the sunny days, and fish are chasing bait early and late on the mid-depth (6-12 FOW) flats. Topwater, minnowbaits, grubs, flappers and jigworms are catching these schooling fish. Flipping into holes on the outside edge of the weedline, or on inside turns has been slow, but productive.





Smallmouth have been more active the last week, starting to wolfpackthe shallow rocks and gravel areas. When you are able to contact active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, skirted grubs or twister tails as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water.

Walleye bite has been hit or miss. The fish are tight to weed edges or in the deeper sandgrass. Lots of guys are reporting some short bites, and I certainly saw this when I was on the water this week. I didn't do any night fishing this week, but I'd guess the fish have been active after dark.  Slow death and back trolling lindy rigs with live bait has been producing, but like most of the fishing during the last week, some days have been far better than others.

Pike fishing has been steady for action, but connecting with them has been difficult to do with the higher winds. Live bait rigs are still catching fish in the 15-22 FOW range, and buzzbaits, spinnerbaits, spoons and lipless cranks are still moving fish out of isolated clumps of weeds in flat areas.

Musky fishing has been slow. Very few reports of legal (40+inch fish) coming in. Smaller fish are chasing bait Mid-morning and round dusk. The topwater bite dropped off, but I'm hearing about lots of follows on gliders and smaller jerkbaits.

My Son Shannon Says....

The Molt is ON!

Time to get on the water.....

Fishing Report 8-1-15

Things were kind of hit or miss this week. Fish are active, but in spurts. Three days this week, a wind shift shut down a hot bite for a couple of hours.

Water temps are in the high 70's. Most fish are still chasing baitfish, but it is obvious a few are starting to probe rocks and sand for craws. I expect the August molt to start in the next 10 days.

Bass fishing was on and off this past week. Fish were biting all week, but the wind made presentations tough on a couple of days. Up shallow, the docks and slop have really turned on, as have isolated weed clumps. Wacky, tubes and grubs around the docks, but don't be afraid to fish a larger plastic worm texas rigged with little or no weight around the weed clumps. (Don't be afraid to cast right at the weeds) Sand/gravel or rock/weed transitions were holding fish, but I had to slow my presentation and down size substantially for pattern level success. My most consistent approach has been a light slip sinker rig with a shorter leader (24") and live bait. I turn to this rig when the wind makes for some challenging presentations of soft plastics, and it paid off. Fish the weed edges or transitions in 12-18 FOW, making sure to keep contact with the bait.

Smallmouth fishing was tough this week. I never really got on a solid pattern. I'd concentrate on flats or gravel in deeper water (12-20FOW) and drop shot, or throw tubes or skirted grubs. I caught a couple of nice fish, but there was no pattern to the process what so ever.


Musky fishing was picking up with the stable weather and fish continue to be very active. Points and drops with weeds on the end or edges was still the primary approach. Topwater is producing early and late, but remember to wait to feel the fish before you set the hook. Other than topwater, action was on smaller bucktails, jerkbaits and gliders...with white being the hot color. (Typical for sunny days)


Walleye fishing moved primarily to the late hours with the full moon cycle, but the approach didn't change much. Slip bobbers, with live bait, jigs with plastics or lindy rigs, fished near the weeds are producing. At night, back troll with suckers on lindy/slip sinker rigs in 18-22 fow, targeting areas with healthy sandgrass or fish floating rapalas/minnowbaits around weedclumps after dark. Remember the water is pretty warm, and you may need to get out deep for sustained success.

Bluegills are doing their summer thing. Look for them to suspend along the weedlines or out over deeper water. 12-18 feet deep over much deeper water is a great starting point. Drifting along the deep edges with bait suspended vertically is a solid presentation option.

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Okauchee: Public launch remains closed. Bass are on the piers, in pads and slop and on the weed edges in deeper water/along mainlake structure. Panfish are suspending deep, but adjacent to the points. Musky was slow, but pike are very, very active.

Garvin: Bluegills suspending over deep cover on east shoreline points. Bass biting awesome on live bait fished on deep weed edges or by flipping/texas rigging the laydowns.

Oconomowoc:  Panfish are on the deep weedlines (use a split shot or light lindy rig and a panfish leech, cricket or hellgramite). Musky fishing continues to be hot, with lots of fish moving over/around the tops of weeds at the end of points. Bass were slow, but steady.

Fowler: Panfish are suspending over the deep basin, lots of bass in the river and in the slop. Pike were biting, but primarily on live bait rigs.

Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing was good early and late. Fish are still in the shallow weeds (tight to them) but with the water temps be ready to move out deep o 25+. Jigs and rigs with live bait, best action has been 6-8am and again just before dark. Bass fishing was steady, especially when live bait or plastics were fished tight to deep weed edges. Lots of LM around the deeper docks or in the river.

Moose:  Bass feeding shallow early, then moving out deep. Look for baitfish, and work small areas hard. Pike fishing was slow for bigger fish, but steady for hammer handles.(Throw a lipless crankbait and hang on)
 
Ashipunn: Bass and pike were steady and active. Concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Piers holding some quality fish, but way underneath. Panfish are suspending in the deep part of the basin, about 18-22 foot down. Live bait is catching a nice mix of large pannies and bass but fished on deep weed edges (18-22 FOW)

Golden: Bluegills in deep water, holding close to weed edges. Bass has been much better early and late...mid day fishing has been very slow. Topwaters, wacky, drop shot or texas rigged plastics and cranks are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits or buzzbaits fished over the weedy flats early in the morning.

Silver:  Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 18-25 FOW or suspending between the mainlake points. Bass fishing remains a little slow (by Silver Lake standards anyway), and the larger fish have been non existent this past week.

Fishing Report 7-23-15

The stable weather the last week really got things going. Even on the sunny days with limited wind, the fish were moving and biting very well.





I was out on Okauchee, Oconomowoc, North, Silver, Golden and Ashippun.

After the hot temps last weekend water temps are in the mid to high 70's. Most fish are still chasing baitfish, but it is obvious a few are starting to probe rocks and sand for craws.

Bass fishing was on fire this past week. Numbers of smaller fish were being caught, but as the weather pattern picked up, some bigger fish started showing up in steady numbers. Deep weedlines out to 20 FOW are still giving up solid numbers, but the story of the week is the piers, which are finally getting consistent. Texas rigs, Carolina Rigs and  live bait rigs with leeches, large shiners, chubs or suckers for the deep fish. Wacky, grubs, skirted grubs (HOT BAIT This week) jigworms, and smaller squarebills crankbaits are catching fish out of the shallow water. Open water top water fishing has been good on mainlake and secondary points, and the slop is finally getting to where one expects it for this time of year (although I put in just a limited amount of time fishing slop this week, I did better flipping and punching than topwater.)

Smallmouth fishing was better this week, but still slow compared to LM. Fish are cruising shallow bars and grades a couple times a day. Fish tubes, wacky and grubs, or bust out the small mid-depth crawfish immitating cranks. Drop shotting was still producing. Top water fishing was picking up, especially in areas where you see schools of pin minnows. Smaller profile baits seemed a better option.

Musky fishing was picking up with the stable weather and fish continue to be very active. Points and drops with weeds nearby is where I saw most fish this week, but I have been bass fishing more this week than last.

Walleye fishing is picking back up.. Slip bobbers, with live bait, jigs with plastics or lindy rigs, fished near the weeds are producing. At night, back troll with suckers on lindy/slip sinker rigs in 18-22 fow, targeting areas with healthy sandgrass or fish floating rapalas/minnowbaits around weedclumps after dark.

Bluegills are doing their summer thing. Look for them to suspend along the weedlines or out over deeper water. 12-18 feet deep over much deeper water is a great starting point. Drifting along the deep edges with bait suspended vertically is a solid presentation option.

-----

Okauchee:The Tie Up is this Saturday. Public launch remains closed. Bass are on the piers, in pads and slop and on the weed edges in deeper water/along mainlake structure. Panfish are suspending deep, but adjacent to the points.

Garvin: Musky have been active, bass bite has been off and on. Bluegills suspending over deep cover on east shoreline points. Bass biting awesome on live bait fished on deep weed edges.

Oconomowoc:  Bass are tight to visible weed clumps, panfish are on the deep weedlines (use a split shot or light lindy rig and a panfish leech). Musky fishing continues to be hot, with lots of fish moving over/around the tops of weeds at the end of points.

Fowler: No reports this week.

Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing was slow, but steady. Target weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks and drop-offs in 10-18 FOW, but be ready to move out deep o 25+. Jigs and rigs with live bait, best action has been 6-8am and again just before dark. Keepers are strickly a nightime thing. Bass fishing was better, with plenty of smallmouths being caught.

Moose:  Bass feeding shallow early, then moving out deep. Look for baitfish, and work small areas hard.
 
Ashipunn: Bass and pike were better than most lakes, feeding actively in short spirts. Concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Piers holding some quality fish, but way underneath. Panfish are suspending in the deep part of the basin, about 18-22 foot down.

Golden: Bluegills in deep water, holding close to weed edges. Bass- Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits or buzzbaits fished through the weedy areas.

Silver:  Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 18-25 FOW. Bass fishing was slower than normal, and the larger fish have been increasingly harder to come by.

Fishing Report 7-16-15

Unstable weather cooled the fishing down this week, and with a hot (potentially the hottest) weekend on the way, things will be a bit tough on the water.

Water temps are in the low to mid 70's. Pin Minnows and Juvenile Perch are being targeted, but a few fish are starting to make foraging runs up onto the rocks....the molt is imminent.

Bass fishing slowed way down this week, both in terms of people our fishing and catches. Deep weedlines out to 20 FOW, piers-especially, slop and shallow bars near deep water continue to hold fish, but getting them to bite consistently has been trouble. Texas rigs, Carolina Rigs and  live bait rigs with leeches, large shiners, chubs or suckers for the deep fish. Wacky, grubs, skirted grubs jigworms, and smaller squarebills crankbaits are catching fish out of the shallow water. Open water top water fishing has been good on mainlake and secondary points, but only until mid morning, with a limited bite in the evenings.


Smallmouth fishing has been very tough, but you can catch fish by getting more precise and downsizing. Fish tubes, wacky and grubs. Drop shotting, especially along distinct weed clumps put some fish in the boat, but the strike zone was very small. Top water fish were very hard to come by consistently, but after the next batch of weather, that bite should pick up, especially in areas where you see schools of pin minnows.

Musky fishing was slow, but fish have been very active. Fish have really been using weed clumps on the end of long points as a feeding/ambush location and I've personally raised a couple using a smaller bucktail. (Thanks to Muskie Metal!)

Walleye fishing has remained slow. Slip bobbers, with live bait, jigs with plastics or lindy rigs, fished near the weeds are producing, but expect the bite to slow down in the heavy heat this weekekend. At night, back troll with suckers on lindy/slip sinker rigs in 18-22 fow, targeting areas with healthy sandgrass or fish floating rapalas/minnowbaits around weedclumps after dark.

Bluegills are doing their summer thing. Look for them to suspend along the weedlines or out over deeper water. 12-18 feet deep over much deeper water is a great starting point. Drifting along the deep edges with bait suspended vertically is a solid presentation option.

-----

Okauchee: Public launch remains closed. Bass are on the piers, in pads and slop and on the weed edges in deeper water/along mainlake structure.  Pike have been active, especially in deep areas with quick access to shallow weeds. Panfish are suspending deep, but adjacent to the points.

Garvin: Musky have been active, bass bite has been off and on. Bluegills suspending over deep cover on east shoreline points.

Oconomowoc:  Bass are suspending off the deep ends of the mainlake points, coming in for limited periods of high activity. Tight to visible weed clumps will produce some bass, panfish are on the deep weedlines (use a split shot or light lindy rig and a panfish leech). Musky fishing continues to be hot, with lots of fish moving over/around the tops of weeds at the end of points.

Fowler: Very slow the last 10 days. Bass are in the slop and in the river grass. No word on musky, buzzbaits taking some pike out of isolated weed clumps

Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing was slow, but steady. Target weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks and drop-offs in 10-18 FOW, but be ready to move out deep o 25+. Jigs and rigs with live bait, best action has been 6-8am and again just before dark. Keepers are strickly a nightime thing. Bass fishing has been slow, and most fish are "incidental" catches to walleye fishing.

Moose:  Bass and pike both slow. Crappie and Bluegills are suspending deep and around swim platforms. Bass feeding early, then moving out deep. Look for baitfish, and work small areas hard.
 
Ashipunn: Bass and pike were better than most lakes, but also deeper. Concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Piers holding some smaller fish. Panfish are suspending in the deep part of the basin, about 18-22 foot down.

Golden: Bluegills in deep water, holding close to weed edges. Bass have been biting along inside weedlines but docks and the slop are still holding some fish. Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits or buzzbaits fished through the weedy areas.

Silver:  Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 18-25 FOW. Bass fishing was slower than normal.

Fishing Report 7-10-15

The cooler, but stable weather, has really improved the fishing, but being precise with presentations, and paying attention to the details is helping to pattern fish, which leads to better fishing.

Water temps are in the low to mid 70's. There was a smaller baitfish hatch this past week (pin minnows) and weeds are still behind, but things have improved dramatically over the last two weeks.



Anglers are catching a mixed bag of largemouths. Deep weedlines in 12-18 FOW, piers-especially with rock or sand underneath, slop and shallow bars near deep water are all holding fish. Texas rigs, slow rolled, spinnerbaits and crankbaits or live bait rigs with leeches, large shiners, chubs or suckers are catching the deeper fish. Wacky, grubs, skirted grubs jigworms, pre-rigged worms and smaller squarebills crankbaits are catching fish out of the shallow water. Open water top water fishing has been good along the deep edges of mainlake points, but only until abut 8am. (Hot tip-with the weed growth this year, areas on deeper sand or gravel which can be hard to fish are more open, and I've been working a carolina rig with some significant success.)

Smallmouth fishing has been very steady this past week with many smallmouth suspending just off the structure in the deeper water. By mid-morning, expect to start seeing wolfpack groups foraging in the shallow rocks, or rock/sand transition areas. Right now, keep it simple fish tubes, wacky and grubs. If the bite is tough, downsize a bit. (Always a solid bet, but it has been especially true this year) A wacky rig with a french fry in place of a senko style bait can convert some tough biters.  Floating rapalas, spooks and pop-r's are catching some topwater fish, and drop shotting is catching some of the deeper fish. Shades of watermelon or watermelon red seem to be the most productive... no science on that, just an observation.

Musky fishing has been on fire since the weather cooled off.  Trolling deep with big cranks and jerkbaits has been the primary pattern, but a few fish are being taken on topwaters, again early and late in the day. Gliders fished fast along turns in the deep weedlines has also been productive. Fish have really been using weed clumps on the end of long points as a feeding/ambush location.

Walleye fishing has remained slow. Slip bobbers, with leeches, fished over weeds is usually a pretty good daytime presentation this time of year,. At night, back troll with suckers on lindy/slip sinker rigs in 18-22 fow, targeting areas with healthy sandgrass.

Bluegills are doing their summer thing. Look for them to suspend along the weedlines or out over deeper water. 12-18 feet deep over much deeper water is a great starting point. Drifting along the deep edges with bait suspended vertically is a solid presentation option.  (Hot tip: crickets, panfish leeches and helgramites are producing the better gills.

-----

Okauchee: Public launch remains closed. Bass are on the piers, in pads and slop and on the weed edges in 8-12 feet. Musky are feeding in the shallows in the morning, and then moving out to 18-22 feet. Pike have been active, especially in deep areas with quick access to shallow weeds.

Garvin: Great spot for panfish. Look for the sunken wood in 10-15 feet.  Bass are using the weedline turns. Pike have come off the deep weedlines on the northwest and north east corners, and suspending over the deeper water.

Forest: Panfish and pike have been biting. Live bait over the deep holes on slip bobbers for panfish, inline spinners for the pike.

Oconomowoc:  Bass are suspending off the deep ends of the mainlake points, coming in onto to feed. Largemouths are still more active than smallmouth. Musky fishing was picking up with a fair number of l people reporting that they are seeing fish over the tops of weeds at the end of points.

Fowler: Small panfish are biting, a few LM were caught in the river and out of the deep slop. Pike are on the weedlines. Musky have been slow the last week.

Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing was steady, but a little slow on weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks and drop-offs in 10-18 FOW. Best action has been 6-8am and again just before dark.

Moose:  Bass and pike continue to bite, and action has been steady. Target the breaks and weed clumps in deeper water with crankbaits or spinners.
 
Ashipunn: Bass and pike have been good. Concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Panfish are suspending in the deep part of the basin, about 18-22 foot down.

Golden: Bluegills have moved out to deeper water, holding close to weed edges. Typically, bass have been biting best on deeper weedlines but docks and the slop are both holding some fish. Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits or buzzbaits fished through the weedy areas.

Silver:  Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 18-25 FOW. Bass fishing has been very productive for the typical (under)sized Silver Lake Bass.


If you've got specific questions: Feel free to email me.

Openings

Hey gang,

I have a bunch of dates open in the second half of this month. I can do a special price on bookings for open dates in July.

Multispecies guiding or fishing lessons.

Email me for more details

Cheers,
CT

Fishing Report 4th of July Weekend 2015

Hey gang,

Big Holiday Weekend Ahead, with lots of boats on the water. Be careful out there. Water temperatures are in the mid to high 70's. Weed growth is just behind average for the midpoint of the summer.

Panfish are largely done with the ritual, but there are a few fish still spawning on some area lakes. Out with the kids? - Action with bluegills can be found in shallow water areas where there is sand or gravel, but bigger gills can be caught out of spawning areas in as deep as 18 feet of water down 12-18' over much deeper water. Meanwhile, crappies are relating to weed edges between 8-12 feet or suspending over deeper water. For gills: hellgramites, panfish leeches, waxies or redworms are all good options, while crappie will be taken more frequently on small or large fatheads, plastics tipped with waxies or spikes or on small hair jigs. Best Bets: Upper Gennessee , Silver, Ashippun Upper and Lower Nashotah, Fowler, Garvin, Okauchee, Nagawicka, Forest.

Largemouth bass have been shallow, and making two feeding runs a day, so fishing has been both good and tough on the same day. Be ready to adapt to changes on the water. As for a strategy: Say it with me: Rocks and Rocks. Skipping piers is producing a few fish, but less than would be typical for the middle of summer. Slop has been decent, but only on the sunny and still days, and only around pads or slop where visible baitfish are present. Fish are feeding, but their strike zone has been tighter than I would normally expect...so I recommend a finesse approach: Wacky Worms, Shakey heads, flapper grubs and tubes in shallow water, with dropshot, jigworms, skirted grubs on a football head and Slider rigs catching the deeper fish (12-18 FOW). Don't be afraid to downsize if the bite is tough, or during the middle part of the day. If you're an early riser, topwater poppers, spooks and buzzbaits are catching some nice fish off the weedflats in 5-12 feet right now, but only consistently at first light, the topwater bite has been wrapping up around 8am. Best Bets: Pewaukee, Fox, Emily, Okauchee, Moose, Golden, Nagawicka, School Section and Kessus.

Smallmouth bass fishing has also been good, but most anglers are catching mixed bags of smallies and largies in the same areas. Do the same things for both species, but look for smallies suspending around the ends of rocky points and bars both early and later in the day. Grubs, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads are catching some consistent bags of fish. Lindy rigging areas of deep sand with small suckers, large shiners or leeches can be the ticket for a tough bite, but my tip for this week: if you see lots of baitfish that are pin or shiner minnows around rock or rock weed transitions, use a suspending  jerkbait (like a Rouge) or floating Rapala. (That Shadow Rap they are hawking is good enough I'll give it a thumbs up without anyone even paying me to do so.) Best Bets: Nagawicka, North, Okauchee, the Oconomowoc River, Lac Labelle and Oconomowoc.

Walleye fishing has been very good. You'll need to be ready to move around. Fish are coming shallow (5-9 FOW) but are also in the deeper weeds (12-18FOW) but have also been in the sandgrass in 22-30+ FOW. Fish are being caught along shallow inside and outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass. Vertically jigging with live bait or plastics has been better during the day, while throwing cranks and minnow baits has been producing early and late. Suckers, backtrolled on lindy or a slip-sinker rig has been producing the larger fish Best Bets: Lac Labelle for action, Oconomowoc or North for keepers.

Pike fishing has been red hot  lately. Lots of smaller pike are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small gills and juvenile perch. Spinners baits, small bucktails or buzzbaits will produce when fished tight to weedclumps. Looking for something bigger? Move out to the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig with a heavy flourocarbon leader. Moose, Kessus, Golden,  Nagawicka, Garvin, Okauchee and School Section are your best pike lakes right now.

Musky fishing has slow, but steady. Look for them to be suspended around schools of cisco or bluegills over the deep water, along the deepest weed edges or adjacent to deep water structure, especially the deep end of long points. Most of the fish are being caught along the weed edges but a few are still coming on topwater around mid-depth rocks (8-12 FOW) during low light periods.  Please be careful with caught muskies this time of year. Give them plenty of time when reviving them, and don't keep them out of the water any longer than necessary.


Good Luck, and stay safe.
CT

Fishing Report 6-26-15

Hey gang,

I was out five days this week fishing on Moose, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Silver, Golden and Ashippun. I did a mix of mornings, middays and evening outings.

Fishing has picked up a bit, but the unstable weather continues to make patterning fish difficult. Water is in the mid to high 70's. Weed growth has finally caught up, but baitfish remain hard to pinpoint consistently.

My basic advice...stick to the basics, and fish hard in high percentage areas. Keep it simple, and be ready to make some adjustments as conditions change throughout the day.

Panfish are still spawning (I saw fish paired up on nests laying eggs today), but some fish have already moved out and started to suspend. Crappie are hanging just off the deeper weedlines or over humps. Slip bobbers or vertically tightlining are your best approaches. Bluegills on the nests are finishing their ritual, but you can find some quality fish down 12-18' over much deeper water. Helgramites are in season, but waxies on plastics, panfish leeches on slip sinker/lindy rigs or split shotting are all producing. (Ashippun, Golden, School Section, Lower Nashotah, Garvin, Middle and Upper Genessee and Forest.)

Bass fishing really picked up this week, but you need to be ready to fish hard and adapt on the water. Docks and Slop have gotten better (for largemouths) in the shallows, and fish are starting to get caught off the deeper edges and shelves, but the hot bite has been the smallmouth on the mid-depth rockbars and off the deeper points. I'm catching lots of fish around, but not necessarily under docks and pads. Skirted grubs and tubes are catching some better fish off the rocks, especially along gravel/weed transitions, and dropshot, jigworms, flappergrubs and Sliders are all really delivering the deeper fish. Wacky, tubes and Flukes are catching fish in shallow. Topwater is producing some schooling fish until about 8am.
 
Tough Bite? Drifting with live bait has been surprisingly effective this year. Find a weed-edge or some deep sand in 12-18FOW, and fish with leeches or small suckers on lindy rigs.
(LM: Silver, Golden, Pewaukee, Okauchee, Golden, Kessus, School Section, Lower Nashotah)
(SM: Nag, Oconomowoc, North, Lac Labelle)

Walleye fishing has hit summer pattern. Weeds at various depths (8-12 or 15-26 FOW) will hold fish. Jigs with plastics or live bait fished tight to weed patches (especially along the outside edges) will produce, but on windy days, drifting with live bait on lindy or slow death rigs is the ticket. Early and late, try floating rapalas over the top of visible weeds. (Lac Labelle, Nag, North, Oconomowoc, Fowler)

Musky Fishing has really turned on before 1st light and close to/just after dark. Topwater fishing was really good this week, especially around isolated shallow rocks. Spinners/ Bucktails of various types, jerkbaits and gliders are grabbing some fish off the weededges in 12-15 FOW, but only where there is some baitfish. Swimbaits are starting to turn on. (Fowler (on fire!), Lac Labelle, North, Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee)

Good Luck.
CT

Operation Dry Water

The name is cute. Like a joke that gets less funny each time you hear it.

Update: I got checked today as part of the program.

Fishing Report 6-19-15

Hey gang,

Since our last report, I've been out:
Friday   (6-12) Oconomowoc
Sunday (6-14)- In Madison (On Waubesa) for Take A Vet Fishing Event.
Monday 6-15 - Moose
Tuesday 6-16 - Ashippun
Thursday 6-18 Golden (AM) Kessus (PM)

Overall, fishing has been very inconsistent in our area. It hasn't been bad, lots of people are catching some fish, but they are scratching them together, one here and one there. Some days have been gangbusters good, other days have led to some people considering golf as a better hobby. (Don't fall into that trap.)

For me, I'm catching fish (bass and/or pike) every time out, but I'm working harder for them than I can remember for this time in June. More importantly, most of the fish being caught are running on the smaller side. That's very typical for periods of inconsistent weather, where larger fish go on short spurts of high feeding activity, and remain largely neutral the rest of the time.

Conditions are around average for this time of the year...weed growth is catching up, and surface water temps are in the low to mid 70's. Baitfish still seem to be in short supply (couldn't find any concentrations of bait last evening on Kessus), but with the water temp getting into the 70's, the bluegills finishing their spawn and pike and musky starting to move out to deeper areas, things will probably get back to normal.

Panfishing has started to slow down from early season peak. Many spawners have moved off the shallow nests and out to deeper water. You may still find some batches finishing the spawn, especially in the sand or small gravel along Southern or Eastern banks of a lake, but the bulk of the fish are starting to congregate around deeper docks, swim platforms (always an overlooked option) or along the first deep break in the weedline. Small plastics tipped with waxworms, or a small (size 10-12) gold or red hook with red/leafworms or panfish leeches are always your best options for keepers. 

Largemouth fishing has ranged from high action (from smaller fish) to just plain tough. Fish really haven't set up into their summer patterns, and with lots of anglers fishing the calender rather than the conditions, I know (from talking to my regular sources of information as well as people at the launches and on the water) fishing hasn't been very solid. Lots of approaches are working, but you'll need to be ready to adapt on the water. In shallow, docks and slop are holding fish, but it seems like you can only really catch fish out of either where there are visible baitfish nearby. Docks are usually a solid, consistent pattern at this point in the year, but there certainly seems to be less fish on the docks than "normal." Mid depth 5-8 weed flats seem to be holding the most fish, but again, those fish seem to be post-spawn schoolers chasing bait. Bigger fish were coming from areas near spawning bluegills, but they seem to be making a move out to the weedlines and deepwater points. Live bait on a split shot or lindy rig has been working (for me) on tougher days, but I'm still catching the bulk of my fish using small (downsized plastics) or smaller jig/trailer combos. Topwater is working in the mornings, but only until abut 7:30.

Smallmouth fishing is very similar to largemouth fishing right now...inconsistent. Look for them along the shallow breaks in 4-8FOW, especially along sand/gravel transitions or rock/weed transitions. Some fish are spending part of each day feeding along the deep, lee side of mainlake points, but secondary points are where the better action has been. Areas with steeper drops seem to have been the best the last 10 days, but don't hold me to that. Soft jerkbaits and grubs are catching fish out the scattered weeds along the breaks, tubes and skirted grubs off the rocks.

Walleye fishing has been better than average, but fish are running undersized. Note that I have not personally been out for walleyes since last week, but anglers are catching eyes on Lac Labelle and Fox tight to weeds, and out of the deeper sand/gravel on both Oconomowoc and North Lakes. I'd go conventional...tight to weeds with light jigs and leeches or plastics or lindy rigging with live bait out deeper. Cranks, especially floating/suspending minnows are catching some out of the weeds early and later in the day.

Pike fishing has started to move towards summer. Smaller, action fish can be caught on the shallow weedflats fishing spinners, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits or squarebills. Better fish are coming on the weedlines with slip sinker rigs tipped with larger livebait (small suckers or big shiners). Use a heavy florocarbon leader and a circle hook for better success. Look for the deeper fish in the sandgrass or any standing weeds you can find in 15-22 FOW.

Musky fishing has been below average. Fish are making a transition from shallow spring to their deeper summer areas, and anglers haven't really gotten back onto the new pattern. For now, I'd recommend topwaters around shallow rocks, especially early and late in the day, and spinners/bucktails cowgirls along the deepest visible weededges you can find. Gliders on the flats will produce, but really only in areas where there are schools of visible baitfish swimming.

Good Luck Out There.
CT

Fishing Report 6-12-15

Wow, it is the middle of June already....

Panfish are close to done spawning on most of the lakes. You may find some stragglers here and there, but the bulk of the nesting activity is over. Time to start looking for panfish suspending off the ends of points or off weedlines. 12 feet down over 15-22 FOW is a good starting point. I like to fish vertically for these fish, although slip bobbers can really produce. If you're on fish, but they're running small, try getting you bait a foot to 18inches deeper...the bigger fish are traditionally at the bottom of the school.

Largemouth Bass fishing has been average, with some days providing for some tough conditions. The shallow fish are moving into traditional spots: slop, docks and shallow rock bars. On bright sunny days, fish tight to cover...flipping into weed patches, dropshotting or texas rigs on deep weed edges can really produce. On the windy days, try baitfish pattern crankbaits or spinner baits on edges or transition areas in 8-12 or 12-15 FOW. I'm catching a bunch of fish on smoke colored flapper grubs fished on the flats where there's some scattered weeds, but many of those fish are in the 10-15 inch size. Natural colors (browns, pumpkins and greens) have been better for the jig/chunk-jig/craw combos.

Smallmouth are biting, but the bite seems a little inconsistent by most reports. Some days you can knock them dead, some days they have been a little scarce. Stick to the plan...look for them on top of mainlake structure and points early and late, and look for them in deeper water during the main part of the day. White deep diving crankbaits have been hot, as have smaller (3") tubes in watermelon red, and I wouldn't overlook a traditional approach: size 9 or 11 floating rapalas (or the shadow rap!) in a natural pattern. (Note: I'm catching more smallies "up" in the water column than on the bottom.

Northern Pike continue to bite, and it has been one of the more consistent bites the last week. Shallow fish are actively chasing buzzbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits, especially on the shallow-flat areas with scattered weeds. Out deep, slip-sinker rigs with small suckers or the biggest shiners have been red hot for larger fish. Okauchee and Fowler have put out some nice pike the last week, but some of the smaller lakes (School Section/Pretty/Emily) have also been productive.

Walleye fishing has slowed down as the fish have moved out deeper. If you've been catching eyes at one depth, look for them in the same areas but at the next major depth contour. Deep weeds (especially along weed/sandgrass and sand transitions) seem to be key, but a few people have been catching them suspended (using slip bobbers) in the deep water near structure Nighttime trolling bite should pick up this next week if the weather stays stable. Oconomowoc had the best reports, and continues to give up solid bags of 18"+ keepers, North and Lac Labelle have been active.

Musky fishing has been pretty good. Bucktails are catching/raising some decent fish along mid-depth weed breaks while crankbaits/jerkbaits are raising some fish off the first deep break. Pewaukee has been solid, although lots of lazy follows have been on the docket. Oconomowoc has been busier than Okauchee (although fishing pressure on Oconomowoc is very high). Reports for Lac Labelle, Fowler and North Lake were scarce this past week.

I'm heading to Madison this weekend for Take a Vet Fishing, but I'll be back on our local lakes on Monday.

Good luck and be safe.
CT

Free Fishing Weekend Fishing Report 6-5-15

Well gang, it is the annual Free Fishing Weekend, around the state. Here's an update on the last week.

I have been on Silver, Ashippun, Moose, Golden, Oconomowoc and Lac Labelle in the last week. Fishing has been slow and steady, but is showing signs of picking up. Catching lots of smaller gamefish, but starting to see some quality fish come in. Had a good split day yesterday between Golden (AM) and Moose (after Lunch) where action was steady, and where some better bass were coming in.

The Okauchee Public Launch area is now closed, and the parking area for Lower and Middle Gen is under construction.

Water temps are still in the mid to high 60's on most area lakes. Weed growth is still behind. Bluegills are on nests, especially in sandy or pea gravel areas, baitfish are still hard to come by consistently.

Panfish: Suprisingly, Crappie were the real story of the last week as second stage spawners moved into the wood and reeds and did there business. Typically when bluegills are on the beds, people abandon crappie fishing for about two weeks, but anglers were really on some nice bags of keepers the last ten days. For crappie, look for them in wood that hangs over, or reaches into deeper water, and fish in the branches with slip bobbers and small jigs tipped with live bait. For bluegills, there's plenty of action fish that can be caught in the shallows right now, but if you're looking for better fish, split shot or lindy rigs with panfish leeches in 12-15 FOW will produce. (Genessee Lakes, Forest, Okauchee, Oconomowoc, North, Nag, Kessus, Silver, School Section and Ashippun are all hot)

Largemouth: Spawn is over, but you may still find some males protecting fry. The bite has been slow, but steady during all periods of the day, but the 11am-1pm run has been tough some days. You're going to see lots of active smaller fish, but if you're catching fish consistently, stick with it and the bigger fish will come. Weeds (if you can find them) and docks are holding fish, but the bulk of the fish are in the areas where bluegills are spawning. There isn't much slop out there yet, but if youcan find some it'll likely have some fish Wacky rigs, texas rigged worms, skirted grubs, jig and craw, lipless crankbaits and topwater are all producing right now. Shoot for numbers to win. (Okauchee, Oconomowoc, North, Forest, Moose, Golden, School Section and Ashippun)

Smallmouth: The bite has been inconsistent, but with the weather changes, patterning fish has been difficult. Look for them to be foraging on rock bars and in sand/gravel or sand/rock transitions in 4-8 and 12-15 FOW. Grubs, Skirted Grubs, Spinnerbaits, tubes and jerkbaits are solid bets, but until conditions stabilize a bit, expect some hit or miss fishing. If you can find some fish deep, jog and leech or lindy rigs with small suckers or chubs might be the answer to a tough bite. (North, Nag, Lower Nashotah, Pewaukee, Lac Labelle and Oconomowoc)

Walleye fishing has been absolutely hit or miss the last ten days. Some days people are tearing them up, but other days you wouldn't know there were any in the lake. Fish have been caught as shallow as 3 FOW, but the bulk of the fish seem to be holding in the transitions or drop offs in 12-15 FOW. I have caught fish as deep as 32 FOW in the past week. Live bait rigs or jigs during the day, casting with jig/grub or jig/ringworm combos has been working early and late. (Pewaukee, North, Nag, Fowler and Lac Labelle.)

Pike fishing has been an interesting mix. They have been reasonably difficult to catch when targeted, but anglers chasing bass, walleye or musky have been catching lots of them. Most of the fish have been running small, but a few mid 30's fish were caught this week. Look for weeds that have baitfish in them and then cast with lipless crankbaits, spinners or buzzbaits. Live bait, suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig with a floro leader is your best bet. Action: 4-8 FOW, Size 12-18 FOW (Pretty, Nag, Moose, Golden, Okauchee, Oconomowoc and Ashippun)

Musky has been very slow. Anglers are seeing lots of fish, but lazy follows have been the consistent report. Stay with it, and watch your solar lunar tables for activity windows. Consider downsizing your bait some as well. Okauchee has been slow and steady, as has Garvin, I've heard nothing on Oconomowoc. Pewaukee has been average, while Lac Labelle, Fowler and North have been the most active in the last 10 days.

Good luck out there.

2015 Free Fishing Weekend Information Post

I am a very vocal advocate for the promotion of Wisconsin's Outdoor Activities, and the associated heritage of our hunting and fishing activities. I work hard to share my knowledge, not only with the people I take fishing, but most importantly, my own children. You have an opportunity to share in our State's heritage with your family this weekend.

It is Free Fishing Weekend this Saturday and Sunday. On June 6 & 7 Wisconsin residents and visitors can fish anywhere for free in Wisconsin. No license is needed -- this includes inland trout and Great Lakes trout and salmon fishing.

There are also some kids fishing clinics in the local area (Details Here) including one in Oconomowoc and another in Eagle.

There's also the special regulation urban fishing parks in Waukesha County: Calhoun Park, Heyer Park North and South, Lepper Dam Millpond, Lions Park-Overland, Menomonee Park, Minooka Park, Muskego Park, Nixon Park, Regal Park, and Woodfield North and South

Walworth County: Ceylon Lagoon, Congdon Park, Millpond Park Pond;

Washington County: Boot Lake, Hartford Millpond, Homestead Hollow Park, Kewaskum Millpond, Sandy Knoll Park, Wells Lake;

Milwaukee County: Brown Deer Park, Dineen Park, Estabrook Park, Franklin High School, Greenfield Park, Holler Park, Humboldt Park, Jackson Park, Juneau Park, Kosciuszko Park, McCarty Park, McGovern Park, Miller Park, Mitchell Park, Oak Creek Parkway, Saveland Park, Shoetz Park, Scout Lake, Sheridan Park, Washington Park, Wilson Park.

Our Regional Fishing Director's Top 10 Family Locations:

• Lake Michigan (Big Pond)
• Pewaukee Lake, Waukesha County
• Geneva Lake, Walworth County
• Delavan Lake,Walworth County
• Big Muskego, Waukesha County
• Big Cedar Lake, Washington County
• Paradise Springs, Waukesha County
• Long Lake, Fond du Lac County
• Milwaukee River, Washington and Milwaukee counties
• Okauchee Lake, Waukesha County

 There's also information on boat launches. and accessible shore fishing options around our area and the state. Information on quality game fish opportunities and a list of musky waters.

My List of Local Shore fishing:

Local Shore Fishing Locations

· Okauchee Lake: (Public area is closed)

· Moose Lake: Shore and pier fishing is available at the Moose Lake Public Launch area. This launch has been improved over the last few years and a nice park like area is available to shore fisherman. The Launch area is just off Highway C, across from Cedar Bay road.

· Lac La Belle: Public Fishing Pier Located in Memorial Park in downtown Oconomowoc.

· Nashotah Park: Just off of the corner of HWY C and HWY R in Nashotah there is a park and ride. Across HWY R, there is a low fence that marks access to the Forest Lake area of Nashotah Park. Anglers have to hike down the hill, but the entire shoreline of the small lake is available for shore-fishing.

· Fowler Lake: There is space for shore fishing by the Labelle/Fowler Dam, at the boat landing and in the Riverside Park. The lake is just off HWY 16 in Downtown Oconomowoc. The boat landing is behind city hall.

· Nagawicka Lake: Two areas allow public shore fishing access. There is some space at the public launch in the County Park off of HWY 83 near Delafield. A second option allows you to access St John's Bay and a section of the Bark River. Take HWY C to where the Military Academy is. There is a small park just south of downtown Delafield on the east side of the road.

· Pewaukee Lake: Located in Nagawaukee County Park on the west side of the lake. From I-94, north on State Highway 83 for 1/8 mile, east on County Highway DR 1 1/2 miles, north on County Highway E to park entrance. Park fee is charged. There is also a public fishing pier along the city strip near the beach on the east end.

·Ottawa Lake: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From State Highway 67, west on County Highway ZZ for 1/3 mile to park entrance. State Park sticker required for entry.

· Paradise Springs: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From downtown Eagle, west 1 mile on State Highway 59 to County Highway N, north on N for about 1/2 mile to site. State Park sticker required for entry. Artificial lures only.

·Lower Phantom Lake: Located in Phantom Glen Park. From County Highway ES, west on Andrews Street to park entrance

Good Luck...and don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need additional information.

Fishing Report 5-29-15

Hey gang,


I was out a bunch this week: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday-I was on Lac Labelle. Fishing ranged from decent (Tuesday) to Tough (Wednesday). Weeds are starting to come up, but are still subsurface in most areas. Found some decent action in 8FOW and again in 15 FOW and again in 26 FOW. Fish were biting light, but beyond that it was hard to pattern them.

Took Thursday off, but was out for a bit today on a couple of the smaller lakes...pretty much the same story.

As you might imagine, the drastically cooler weather this weekend might make for a tough bite, especially for guys fishing the bass tournaments on Pewaukee and Okauchee. The Okauchee Public Launch is now closed, and the launches at Lower and Middle Genessee will be closing soon.

Around the area...Panfish, especially bluegills were getting ready to spawn on many local lakes. Some fish were starting to make nests in the shallow sand, but I'd expect that activity to slow down substantially. Look for active fish along the inside edges of weedlines at the end of points, a key staging area for panfish before the spawn. Crappies were awesome, especially early in the week when the weather was stableattractors/brushpiles...I heard some decent crappies were coming from Ashippun, Upper Gen, Forest and North Lakes...but reports about panfish have been limited this last week. Bluegills were good on Okauchee/Garvin, Oconomowoc, Middle Gen and Golden.

Largemouth bass are more or less done with their spawning activity. Lots of fish are still schooled up and chasing bait on the shallow to mid depth weed flats with scattered cover which is classic post spawn behavior, so expect to catch lots of smaller fish. Weeds=fish right now, and with the limited number of weeds around, you can find schools of fish in the weeds you find. The cooler weather will slow bass activity, but if you can find some fish...presentations made slow and very tight to cover (like flipping or texas rigged lizards for example) will still catch fish. If the wind is laying down, one of my better tricks for these conditions is to twitch a size 11 floating rapala minnow, pop-r or pop-x around shallow structure/cover. After the cooler weekend, if we get some sunny days look for some quality fish around rock bars or points where skirted grubs or tubes will really shine. Pretty much any lake, but consider getting off the bank and look for fish on mid depth flat areas (areas like Stumpy Bay on Okauchee, Kessus, North, Lower Nashotah, Fox, Emily, Eagle Spring, Pretty and Forest)

Smallmouth were finishing up the spawning ritual. Could be a tough bite until conditions stabilize mid next week. You'll be doing some hunting, so I'd throw spinnerbaits and grubs for smallmouth but a crawfish pattern crankbait bounced through the sand and rock transition areas in 8-15 FOW might just be what "Dr Chris" ordered. (Yes, I'm actually a Doctor.) Try Oconomowoc, North, Lac Labelle or Beaver Lakes.

Northern Pike are less effected by the weather than most other gamefish species. If the bite is tough, throw spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or lipless crankbaits around shallow patches of weeds for some action. Bigger fish can be taken on slip sinker rigs tipped with larger bait. Buzzbaits will trigger some action fish, or consider a jerkbait like a rouge or husky jerk. (Golden, Fowler Moose, Pretty or Kessus)

Walleye: Biting on live bait and smaller plastics, but the bite has been tough and patterning fish nearly impossible. Weeds in 8-12 FOW if you can find them, or sand flats in 20-25FOW. I'd stay finesse with slip bobbers, small jigs or light slip sinker setups for the weekend and the early part of the week, but if things warm up...it is primetime for floating or countdown minnow baits. (Lac Labelle, Druid and Oconomowoc)








Musky has been the story of lazy follows. Fish are active, but catching them has been tough. Look for musky fishing to really pick up after this front goes through.

Around the area: Whitebass are still biting on the Rock River below the Jefferson Dam, but the bite is almost done. Catfish has been slow and steady  Trout are still coming, although in limited numbers, from the stocked lakes and ponds.

Good Luck...stay warm and dry...better weather will mean better fishing.

Okauchee Lake and Oconomowoc River Article

Paul Smith's Journal Sentinel article about our trip from last Monday is now posted.

Memorial Day 2015 Weekend Preview

Make sure to thank a vet this weekend. (and every weekend for that matter.)



Today is Thursday 5-21:I've been out every day for the last week.

Friday: Musky Fishing...moved two high 30 inch fish, but came up empty handed except for some pike. Saturday and Sunday: Out with the kids catching panfish and bass. Monday: Okauchee With Paul Smith in the morning, and out for some bonus time in the afternoon. Bite was tough, but consistent. Tuesday, was more of the same and fish were more active than I would have guessed with the cold front, and the same was true yesterday. I'll be out this afternoon, and again tomorrow and Saturday.

If you're in town for the holiday and want to talk some more specific tips, email me or call me (262-893-2183). Shameless self promotion---I do have some openings for half days over the weekend and late next week.



Onto Business:

Overall, water temps are back in the low 60's in Main Lake areas, while some bays are in the High 60's to Low 70's. Weedgrowth is very behind for this time of the season, and Mayflies are starting to  hatch on a couple of area lakes.

Bluegills are starting to congregate in shallower water. A few nests are starting to appear in the traditional sandy and gravel areas.Look for them in 4-10 feet of water, and be ready to move shallower as the temperatures warm up. Current areas and spawning areas (like sandy or gravel areas) will have fish nearby. Waxworms, panfish leeches, redworms and plastics are taking fish, but bigger gills have been hard to come by in any significant number. (Try Okauchee, Garvin ( red hot!), Golden, Forest , Upper and Middle Genessee, School Section, Ashipunn, Pretty, Phantom and Lower Nashotah)

Crappie fishing has been slow, but can be great on any given day. Most crappies are in shallow bays near weeds, wood laydowns or reeds. Some fish are still spawning (you can tell by how black the fish turn this time of year). Minnows, hooked through the tail on a small hook (#8 or #10), waxworms and plastics have all been taking fish. With the temperature set to warm back up for the holiday weekend, expect crappies to be very active on area lakes. (Try: Okauchee (especially the North Flat, Bay Five and the Crane's Nest), Garvin (North End and Wood Laydowns), Kessus, Nagawicka (Channels), Golden and Silver.

Largemouth bass are still spawning on many area lakes. Anglers are catching fish targeting them in shallow water, but a few fish are still being caught off the open areas on flats especially in spots that have standing weeds. It might be hard to consistently find bigger fish, but on warm afternoons, the action should be good. Shallow water presentations like jig and chunk or craw, wacky, texas rigged lizards, spinnerbaits or lipless crankbaits will all catch fish right now, but don't overlook smaller topwater presentations. Live bait, nightcrawlers, leeches or small suckers are your best bet. (Try: Okauchee, Lake Five, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Kessus, Silver, Eagle Springs, School Section, Golden, Fox or Emily)

Note: I caught a large number of LM and SM bass this week by downsizing my presentations. Smaller grubs were red hot, and I dropped down to a 4" lizard on my texas rigs. I even dropped my wacky rig down in size, using a finesee worm or french fry, while fishing with lighter rod with just 4lb test. It made a difference on a couple of the tougher days, and I was still catching some decent 15-18" LM's as recently as yesterday.

Smallmouth bass have been active, and a few anglers are reporting nests on many area lakes. Rock structure, scattered weeds on sand and major points are all holding fish. Expect them to be a little spooky, especially in the shallow water on sunny days. Skirted grubs, jigworms, jig and craws, tubes, and soft jerkbaits are all catching fish. Go natural with your color choices this weekend. (Try: Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, Pewaukee, Lower Nashotah and the Nemahbin Lakes.)

Walleye have been active, but keepers have been inconsistent. I've heard som scattered chatter about some keepers being caught in 8-12 feet of water. Slip bobbers, Jig and minnow, jig and leech, and split shot rigs with nightcrawlers or small suckers have been the best way to target eyes. In the evening, a few anglers are catching fish by working rapala minnow baits over weed clumps. This weekend should be red hot for walleyes, especially in the evenings. (Try: Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, North and Fox)

Northern Pike fishing has picked up with the warmer weather. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits, or suspending jerkbaits (like Husky Jerks or Rouges) are catching fish around shallow weed clumps, or at the edges of coves and marshy areas. If chasing pike with live bait, look for them in 6-12 or 12-18 feet, using small suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig. (Try: Okauchee, Kessus, Garvin, Nagawicka, Fowler, Golden, School Section, Emily)

Musky Fishing has been slow and steady. There are lots of fish in the shallow water chasing, and a few are even being caught on topwaters, but the most consistent action has been coming in 12-18 feet around mainlake structure. Gliders, jerkbaits, swimbaits and bucktails have been productive, but many anglers continue to describe lots of lazy follows, so having a sucker out on a quickstrike rig is a great idea, and figure eights are required on every cast. Gold blade/balck skirt seems to be the color of the season, but white/copper combos have also been catching a few. (Try: Okauchee, Pewaukee, Fowler and Lac Labelle) 

Around the area: Fishing on the Rock River has picked up again, and anglers are still catching a few whitebass south of Ft Atkinson, and catfish between the Jefferson Dam and the mouth. The action has been good when its on, awful when its not.

Trout fishing in the stocked lakes and ponds continues to be good.  Lower Genessee, Ottawa and Lower Nashotah continue to give up fish.


Have a great holiday weekend. Again, thank a vet.
Cheers,
CT

Okauchee -Angler's Choice Tournament

Forgot to put this up...but the results for the second weekend bass tournament on Okauchee are posted.

18.33 for five fish wins it.

Fishing Report 5-15-15

Hey gang,

The last week has presented some challenges as weeks with unstable weather tend to do. The cold nights and on again-off again rain didn't make things any easier to contend with.

Warmer days, or days with sunshine at least...had very active fish moving in the shallow water. Days like yesterday (Thursdsay), where it was nice in the morning and lousy in the afternoon have the fish feeding actively in a limited window of time.

Water temps are all over the place. Protected bays are in the mid to high 60's while open water areas might be as low as the high 50's, but the larger issues I've seen on the water the last two weeks have been:

1.) Lack of weeds. Weed growth is way behind for this time of year.

and

2.) Lack of baitfish. Finding areas with baitfish consistently has been a challenge.

This means if you can find an area with good, green weeds AND visible baitfish, there will be lots of fish nearby. Finding these spots, however, is like chasing unicorns and rainbows right now.

That said, fishing has been slow, but steady. Just a bit more work than you would expect for this time of year.

Panfish are on the move into shallow areas, especially on warm, sunny afternoons. The bite can be really good, especially if you can find some fish in the mid afternoon to early evening. Start you search in shallow, dark bottom bays with scattered weeds, woods or reeds. The fish may be very tight to shore, but don't overlook the first break into deeper water. In areas with current, look for schools of fish in deeper holes and outside turns, even if these areas are very small. Remember the largest panfish will always be in the bottom of the school, so if you're catching fish, but they are small, try getting your bait a little deeper.

Bluegills will hit on a variety of live bait but plastics will outperform live bait, and will usually help keep some of the smaller fish off your line.

For crappies, tail hooked minnows, skirted grubs, road runners, or waxworms on an ice-fishing jig will really produce. (Try: Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Silver, Golden, School Section, Middle Geneesee.

Largemouth are in various stages of the spawn. The heavy pressure early in the season and the unstable weather messed with them some, and delayed some of the second and third wave spawners. Lots of fish are still cruising the flats, especially on the nice days,  while some males are still up on the nests, especially in areas where the water is warmest.  Because weeds are hard to come by, look for LM in shallow areas with rock, sand or muck. Protected bays with wood laydowns or weeds will really concentrate fish. Flapper grubs are a great option to find fish, before slowing down to make tighter presentations. Jig and chunks/ jig and craws/ jig and eels will catch less fish, but are a great way to catch a bigger fish, especially when fished tight to cover. Slower presentations like wacky worms, texas rigged lizards or tubes are all great for probing areas, but spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and crawfish imitating shallow diving crankbaits will all catch fish right now. Tip: if the bite is really tough....a buzzbait fished tight (and I mean tight) to cover will trigger strikes.

Using live bait? Leeches, nightcrawlers or large shiners are your best option. (Try Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Pewaukeem Moose, Kessus, Golden, Silver, Fowler, Pine, and Lower Nashotah)

Smallmouth bass are starting to appear in rocky areas, cruising and foraging. Look for them in the usual early season spots, but don't be afraid to look for them as deep as 25 feet, where they will be feeding on schools of yellow perch. Spinnerbaits are a great way to cover water, tubes are a great way to look for fish around the dropoffs and on the shallow rockbars. Lindy rigging with large shiners can really produce some amazing fish this time of year. (Try Lac Labelle, North and Oconomowoc)

Walleye:  Look for walleyes in shallow water, around rocks or sand, or at the end of longer points especially early in the morning, and later in the evening. In the daylight hours, schools of fish will be cruising the sand flats in 8-15 feet of water. Live bait rigging, (Lindy rigs with small suckers!) jig and minnow or jig and leech combos, or trolling with shad or minnow imitators are your best approaches. (Try Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pewaukee, Fowler)

Northern pike were chasing bait fish around shallow weeds, especially near marshy areas, and will aggressively bite spinners, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits or live bait suspended around shallow weeds.(Try: Moose, Kessus, Okauchee, Fowler, School Section, Pretty and Nagawicka)

Musky fishing has been slow but steady for the guys putting in the time. Most fish are in 5-12 feet of water, and are biting on swimbaits, gliders, jerkbaits and bucktails. Remember to do your figure eights on every cast right now, as lots of anglers were reporting lazy follows this past weekend. Personally, I like to use smaller baits in a black and blue, or black and orange combination at this point in the year. (Try Okauchee, Garvin, Lac Labelle, Fowler and Pewaukee for Musky)

Whitebass and Catfish were starting to bite more aggressively on the Rock River. Look for them around wood on the bottom, or in the channel turns. Stink bait, cutbait or nightcrawlers were all producing for cats, spinners flies and jig/livebait combos for the whitebass.

Trout fishing was consistent on the stocked lakes and ponds around the area, but the schools are starting to get a bit depleted...so if you're hankering for trout, put a day on your calender for next week.

Good luck out there.

Cheers,
CT

Want to get out?

I have some openings between now and June 15th that I would like to fill...if you've been thinking about doing a guided trip for fishing...this is a great time of year to do so.

Email me or call 262-893-2183 for more information.


Don't end your fishing day wearing a skunk hat like this guy...

...take a trip with me, learn some new water and get some coaching on your technique.

Okauchee WABTA (May 9th, 2015)

Results are in for the first local bass tournament...May 9th, Okauchee

19.83 wins it, with a 6+lb fish brought to the scale by the second place team.

Okauchee Public Launch Closing May 26th.

The Okauchee Piblic Boat Launch will be closing May 26th to all activity, including shore fishing:
 

DNR plans renovations at Okauchee Lake public boat access site

OCONOMOWOC, Wis. - The Department of Natural Resources will begin major renovations of the Okauchee Lake public boat access site located in the Village of Oconomowoc in Waukesha County later this month. The boat launch will remain open through Memorial Day weekend. Beginning May 26, the site will be closed to all use including boat launching and shore fishing. It is likely that the site will remain closed for construction throughout this coming summer.

Work at the site will involve reconfiguring traffic flow through the site, reconstruction of parking areas, storm water control measures and removal of the vault toilet.

This project is funded using Sports Fish Restoration grant funding. The engineering plans were prepared by SEH, formerly Yaggy Colby Assoc., of Delafield for the DNR. 

-----

The formal press release is here: From the DNR

Pine Lake

The DNR has a press release out about the fish kill. Read It Here.

Fishing Report for 5-8-15

Greetings,

Here's what's happening around the area:

There's a WABTA Tournament on Okauchee this weekend. Okauchee fishing pressure has been very very heavy the past week. Fish are still biting, but you may need to downsize, or get away from the crowds. Additionally, we should have some news from the DNR on the status of the public launch very soon.

Water temperatures vary greatly between main lake areas (in the low 60's) and protected bays (in the mid to high 60's) on most area lakes.Weed growth is way behind normal, which means if you find some good weeds, fish them!

Musky have been fairly active on our local lakes since the opener, especially on the windy days. A solid shallow pattern has been working for anglers who put in the time. Look for fish on the shallow weed flats in 6-10 feet of water. Scattered weedclumps with visible baitfish or panfish are high percentage areas right now. A few fish are also using the first deep break in 12-18 feet of water where new green weeds have started. Gliders, swimbaits, bucktails and jerkbaits have all been consistent producers. I moved two decent fish yesterday throwing a bucktail.

Best bets: Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pewaukee, and Fowler.

Northern Pike have been using the areas where there is new weedgrowth. Anglers targeting bass have been catching a number of pike ranging from smaller snakes to quality 30+" fish. Some of the larger pike are using the deep weedlines in 12-18 feet. Spinnerbaits,small bucktails, lipless crankbaits, floating rapalas and buzzbaits will all catch fish in the shallow water when fished around submergent green weeds. Large shiners or small to medium sized suckers suspended underneath a float, longlined on a split shot rig, or fished deep on a slip-sinker setup are your best options for live bait.

Best Bets: Nagawicka, Golden, Okauchee, Fowler, Moose.

Walleye have been active in cycles that match our current weather patterns. On warmer, windy days they have been biting fairly well. On cooler days, especially those with a North or east wind, they have been fairly lethargic. Some fish are patrolling the shallows in the morning and evening hours, but the bulk of the fish are holding around rocky points and mid-depth weeds in 8-12 feet of water. Crankbaits like rapala shad raps are catching fish, but controlled drifting with live bait has been the best approach. Slow and steady have been the operative words. A nightcrawler, leech or small sucker on a lindy rig or long lined split shot setup have been the most consistent producers. A few fish are being caught around weeds using jig and plastic or jig and minnow combinations.

Best Bets: Pine, Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Lac Labelle, the Nehmabins and Fox Lake.

Largemouth Bass  First wave spawning areas have fish on nests, and post spawn females nearby. Other areas still have schooling fish. Fishing for bass has been spotty (mostly due to heavy, heavy pressure since the opener), and some days are much better than others. With the sunny, still days we had, the bite has dropped off a bit, but with some cooler weather and clouds, it's sure to pick up. Look for bass around shallow weeds, wood laydowns or docks. Rocky areas, especially points adjacent to deep water have been holding the most fish. Wacky worms, texas rigged lizards or stickbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jigs with a chunk or craw trailer have all been producing. . Nightcralwers or large leeches on a lindy or split shot rig or large shiners under floats fished around piers or along rockbars have been catching a few nice fish.

Best Bets: Okauchee, Golden, Keesus, Pine, Nagawicka, Buelah, Moose Eagle Springs.

Smallmouth Bass  Fish are patrolling the shallow bars in small schoola a few times a day, especially on the warmer sunny days. Lots of fish are suspending in deeper water just off of shallow structure. Rocky/sand transition areas have been holding some fish who are foraging for craws. Suspending jerkbaits, tubes, wacky worms, swimbaits and lipless crankbaits in a crawfish pattern have all caught fish.

Best Bets: Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pine, Nagawicka, Lower Nehmabin, Beaver.

Crappie Look for them around shallow cover in 2-8 feet of water. Tight-lining over deeper wood or weeds in 8-12 feet has also been effective on some lakes. Tail-hooked fatheads, plastics or hair jigs tipped with a waxworm and rosie reds are your best live bait options for crappies. Strike zones have been relatively small, so try to make accurate casts when setting up your presentations.

Best Bets: Pine, Okauchee, Kessus, Golden, Garvin, Ashippun, Lake Five.

Bluegills are beginning to move into the shallow water on many area lakes, but the better sized fish have still been coming from anglers targeting them in a little deeper water. Shallow fish will be near sandy bottom areas with scattered weed growth, but if you just want the kids to catch a few fish, try fishing around any piers that are in the water adjacent to deeper water (6-10 feet). If you want to target eating size gills, tightline vertically while drifting along weedlines in deeper water (as deep as 22 feet) or look for them on the end of sandy/gravel points in 12-15 feet of water. Panfish plumpers, plastics tipped with waxworms or spikes, panfish leeches or redworms are your best live bait options.

Best Bets: Golden, Silver, Garvin, Lower Nashotah, Forest, Upper and Lower Phantom, Ashippun, Upper Geneessee and Lake Five.

Catfish are being caught on the Rock River. Cutbait, stinkbait and nightcrawlers fished around the heads of the deeper holes has been producing some keepers. The area between Watertown and the Jefferson Dam has been red hot the last few weeks.

Trout stocking was a sucess this year on out local waters, with rainbows and brook trout still available. Lower Nashotah, Fowler, Lower Geneessee and Paradise Springs-Look for these fish in the deeper water basin or deeper pools on the creeks. In the area lakes, they can be anywhere from just below the surface to 25 feet down over deeper water. Tightlining with minnows or redworms  will catch fish when you find them.


Good Luck Out There.
Chris Terry

Some Old Articles

I noticed some of the links to older articles in the Journal Sentinel were broken...here's some new ones courtesy of Google Archive:

First Article on Wacky Worm Rig (On Okauchee) May 22, 2005

Crappie Fishing on Okauchee April 16, 2006

Golden Lake (Largemouth Bass) July 30, 2006

CBS 58 Story on Today's Opener

Had CBS 58's Lane Kimble in the boat for a short bit today...watch me catch a 12 inch bass on camera and talk about the opener.

 CBS 58

Opening Weekend Care Package...

Just received a small order from Muskie Metal and just in time for opening day.

I can't wait to try these custom color combos. Orange and Black is, and has been, an Okauchee special color for a long time, and this order has a pair including a Model 1 and a Model 3.

There's also a model one with one of my favorite bucktail blade combos: silver and chartreuse with a chartreuse flash skirt.

The prize of the box is my custom request for the single bladed Model 5 with a gold blade and "lemonade" skirt (seen in the lower photograph above). You can take it to the bank, that will be the bucktail I will have tied on for opening weekend. I like double bladed models, but I also like a little more subtle approach early in the season. The Model 5, with a larger blade (#12), is a balance between going big or going home, and I can't wait until I get some casts in with it. See you out there with my bucktail rod in my hand.