I was asked to contribute to this article on bass fishing around the time of the spawn.
I didn't realize the company of pro-fisherman I would be in while doing so. Regardless it is an interesting collection of viewpoints on spring bass fishing, with some interesting techniques to consider.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
Fishing Report 4-3-15
It is time to get your game face on. There's lots of fishing going on.
Regardless of where you're headed know this: water levels are very low for this time of year, so low that some places are less accessible than is typical for spring.
Panfish are biting on our local lakes. Look for warmer water and then find the green weeds, especially in the afternoon on the warmer sunny days. The key is the activity level of the fish. The cooler days reduce the distance the fish will swim to bite. Keep your presentation tight to cover/current breaks/green weeds, and you'll catch fish.
If you're heading out, look for panfish in shallow, dark-bottom areas, especially if there are reeds or weeds left over from last season. Water temperatures are lower than they had been in the mainlake areas, but the shallow bays and boat channels are still in the mid to high 40's in many of the protected areas.
If the bite is tough, go small/downsize: waxworms and spikes on a very small hook or icefishing jig will catch as many fish as minnows most days. Mix it up, and be ready for anything. Plastics have been catching better fish than live bait.
Okauchee, Moose, Golden, Ashippun, Lower Nemahbin, and Middle Genessee have been the best, but Forest, Kessus, North and Oconomowoc are also producing.
The big news of course is the spring runs on the rivers. The Wisconsin River in the Dells has been active for a couple of weeks, and the fishing is steady there. Walleyes are biting in the deeper holes, and in current breaks, but like most places, the water is very low.
The Rock River between Jefferson and the lake has been active. Water levels and current flow are lower than they have been in about 10 years, but with the full moon phase, the bite is on. Most of the fish are being caught from Ft Atkinson to the mouth, but shorefisherman at the dam are already reporting catching keeper walleyes. Streamer flies on three way rigs are always a classic presentation for shore fisherman along the Rock River, but vertical jigging seems to be the ticket for boaters. Keepers are mixed with the usual assortment of short fish. No word on whitebass yet, but a solid rain will bring them in for sure.
Pinks, oranges and purples are solid spring colors for walleyes, as are greens and chartrueses.
Good luck out there.
CT
Regardless of where you're headed know this: water levels are very low for this time of year, so low that some places are less accessible than is typical for spring.
Panfish are biting on our local lakes. Look for warmer water and then find the green weeds, especially in the afternoon on the warmer sunny days. The key is the activity level of the fish. The cooler days reduce the distance the fish will swim to bite. Keep your presentation tight to cover/current breaks/green weeds, and you'll catch fish.
If you're heading out, look for panfish in shallow, dark-bottom areas, especially if there are reeds or weeds left over from last season. Water temperatures are lower than they had been in the mainlake areas, but the shallow bays and boat channels are still in the mid to high 40's in many of the protected areas.
If the bite is tough, go small/downsize: waxworms and spikes on a very small hook or icefishing jig will catch as many fish as minnows most days. Mix it up, and be ready for anything. Plastics have been catching better fish than live bait.
Okauchee, Moose, Golden, Ashippun, Lower Nemahbin, and Middle Genessee have been the best, but Forest, Kessus, North and Oconomowoc are also producing.
The big news of course is the spring runs on the rivers. The Wisconsin River in the Dells has been active for a couple of weeks, and the fishing is steady there. Walleyes are biting in the deeper holes, and in current breaks, but like most places, the water is very low.
The Rock River between Jefferson and the lake has been active. Water levels and current flow are lower than they have been in about 10 years, but with the full moon phase, the bite is on. Most of the fish are being caught from Ft Atkinson to the mouth, but shorefisherman at the dam are already reporting catching keeper walleyes. Streamer flies on three way rigs are always a classic presentation for shore fisherman along the Rock River, but vertical jigging seems to be the ticket for boaters. Keepers are mixed with the usual assortment of short fish. No word on whitebass yet, but a solid rain will bring them in for sure.
Pinks, oranges and purples are solid spring colors for walleyes, as are greens and chartrueses.
Good luck out there.
CT
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Local Tournaments 2015
US Angler SE Wisconsin Division
May 17 Okauchee
May 31 Pewaukee
June 28 Rock
July 12 Madison
August 23 Pewaukee
September 13 Nagawicka
September 27 Whitewater
WABTA
Entry Division
May 17 Okauchee
May 31 Pewaukee
June 28 Rock
July 12 Madison
August 23 Pewaukee
September 13 Nagawicka
September 27 Whitewater
WABTA
Entry Division
May 9- Okauchee
June 13- Pewaukee (Wounded War Event)
July 19-Winnebago (Oshkosh)
August 8- Madison Chain
Elite Division
May 30 -Madison
June 20 -Okauchee
July 18 - Winnebago (Oshkosh)
August 2 - Pewaukee
Leagues:
Musky Mikes Tuesday Big Bass League (Scheduled for Okauchee) Information Here
Milwaukee Chapter of Muskie's Inc
May 9 Pewaukee
June 13 Pewaukee
September 26 Pewaukee
Walleye:
Rock River Gold
April 25th
May 30
More as I get it.
May 30 -Madison
June 20 -Okauchee
July 18 - Winnebago (Oshkosh)
August 2 - Pewaukee
Leagues:
Musky Mikes Tuesday Big Bass League (Scheduled for Okauchee) Information Here
Milwaukee Chapter of Muskie's Inc
May 9 Pewaukee
June 13 Pewaukee
September 26 Pewaukee
Walleye:
Rock River Gold
April 25th
May 30
More as I get it.
DNR spring wildlife and fisheries rules hearing to be held April 13
Press Release is here
Dodge County:
Milwaukee County:
Nathan Hale High School, 11601 W Lincoln Avenue, West Allis, WI 53227
Walworth County:
Waukesha County:
A couple of local issues on the docket:
1.) Changes to some of the local the fish refuge rules:
2.) Walleye Bag and Size Limits
Pewaukee, Nagawicka and Pine would have a 3 fish, 18 in minimum as would Big Cedar and Gilbert Lakes in Washington County.
Lac Labelle size limit on walleye raised to 28 in minimum, with limit of one per day.
3.) Pike Bag and Size Limit Changes
32in minimum, 1 fish limit on Northern Pike for Pewaukee, Lac Labelle, Eagle Spring and Lu Lu Lakes.
4.) It looks like our local area will not have many lakes brought under the new 25/10 or 15/5 panfish provisions, but a couple of nearby lakes will be voted on:
Dodge County:
Horico n Marsh International Education Center, Lower Auditorium, N7725 STH 28, Horicon, WI 53032
Nathan Hale High School, 11601 W Lincoln Avenue, West Allis, WI 53227
Walworth County:
Delavan
-Darien High School, 150 Cummings Street, Delavan, WI 53115
Waukesha County:
Waukesha Co. Tech. College, Richard Anderson Center, 800 Main Street, Pewaukee, WI 53072
Complete List: is here.
I also talked about the local issues in this post from February.
A couple of local issues on the docket:
1.) Changes to some of the local the fish refuge rules:
2.) Walleye Bag and Size Limits
Pewaukee, Nagawicka and Pine would have a 3 fish, 18 in minimum as would Big Cedar and Gilbert Lakes in Washington County.
Lac Labelle size limit on walleye raised to 28 in minimum, with limit of one per day.
3.) Pike Bag and Size Limit Changes
32in minimum, 1 fish limit on Northern Pike for Pewaukee, Lac Labelle, Eagle Spring and Lu Lu Lakes.
4.) It looks like our local area will not have many lakes brought under the new 25/10 or 15/5 panfish provisions, but a couple of nearby lakes will be voted on:
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