Fishing Report 7-15-17

Hey gang, sorry for the late report...I was up north fishing in the Eagle River area the last couple of days. The professor in me might make a point about how bad internet speed and access can be up there...but you're here for the fishing report.

High water remains the story. (Check out our previous post for more details) 

Around the area bass fishing has remained fairly steady. There's an topwater/shallow water early bite happening on most lakes up until about 8:30am. The fish are then moving into the weeds, under piers or into the slop. They can be targeted around overhanging cover or weed edges adjacent to deeper water. The bite is slow mid day, but picking up again around 3:30 and remains fairly consistent until dark. Fish are being taken in shallow water on wacky worms, tubes, skirted grubs and shakey head worms. Deeper fish are coming on jigworms, texas rigged worms or tubes or jigs with a craw or chunk trailer. Live bait, chubs, leeches or crawlers on a slip sinker or lindy rig have also been catching some fish as deep as 25 FOW on the clear water lakes.

Northern pike fishing has been spotty. As is typical for this point in the season, shallow fish are still being caught on spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits around shallow weed clumps on the flats in 5-10 FOW. Deeper fish are being taken using live bait, chubs and/or shiners, long lined on slip-sinker rigs. 15-18 FOW seems to be the best for pike right now.

Walleye fishing has been steady as the rains have kept the current flowing and the water temps down. Walleye are using current areas as well as shallow weeds. Rigs, jigs and slip bobbers are catching fish, sometimes as shallow as 3 FOW, but look for a solid bite on weed edges or points in 8-12 FOW. Labelle has been very active the last 10-12 days if you're looking for some action...Oconomowoc has been giving up some keepers early and late.

Musky was still slow. Lots of lazy follows this season, especially on Okauchee or Pewaukee. A few are still coming on topwater during low light periods, especially very early in the morning. Look for them around deep water structure, especially the deep end of long points where the weedlines touch the edges of the drop offs.

Good Luck.

Cheers,
CT

High Water and Lake Access

Our local lakes continue to be very high.

Dick Smith's Live Bait and Tackle (http://www.dicksmithslivebait.com/hot-spots/) is circulating the follow status list.

As always, check at the launch or with the local enforcement arm.

Nagawicka- OPEN
Pine- OPEN
Okauchee- OPEN, Slow No Wake
Moose- OPEN, Slow No Wake
Golden- OPEN, Slow No Wake
Silver- OPEN
Beulah- OPEN, Slow No Wake
School Section- OPEN
Eagle Spring- OPEN
Phantom’s- CLOSED, SLOW NO WAKE
Rock Lake - OPEN
Rock River – OPEN, SLOW NO WAKE
Delavan- ALL BOAT LAUNCHES CLOSED, SLOW NO WAKE
The Madison Chain OPEN
Big Muskego- OPEN
Little Muskego- OPEN
Denoon- OPEN 
Pike- OPEN
Oconomowoc- OPEN
Nemahbin- OPEN, Slow No Wake
Lower & Upper Nashotah - Slow No Wake
Ashippun- OPEN
Keesus- OPEN, Slow No Wake
LacLaBelle- OPEN
Fowler- OPEN
L. & M. Genesee - OPEN, Slow No Wake
Pewaukee- OPEN, Slow No Wake

High Water and Slow No Wake Orders.

The recent rain and overall high water conditions have imposed emergency Slow No Wake Orders on many area lakes.

I am trying to confirm orders and post links but the fishing information grapevine has been active. Here's what I've heard so far:

Moose
Kessus
Okauchee
Pewaukee
http://www.lakecountrynow.com/story/news/local/lake-country-reporter/2017/07/13/slow-no-wake-order-pewaukee-lake/475802001/
North
http://www.lakecountrynow.com/story/news/local/lake-country-reporter/2017/07/03/no-wake-order-levied-north-lake/447606001/


I have to assume Oconomowoc and Lac Labelle have limits, but I have not yet heard or been able to confirm that.

As conditions change (or continue to maintain these water levels) you should check at the launch for a posting about speed/usage restrictions.