Fishing is going strong overall, but patterning fish remains inconsistent from day to day. Once you're on a solid bite, stick with it.
Conditions around the area are typical for the end of August. After this batch of stable, but cooler weather, weed growth is at summer peak and water temps are hovering in the low to mid 70's.
Panfish have really slowed down over the last ten days. 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, especially both sides of dusk, have been better, as is typical for this time of year. If you're out with the kids and just need to catch some for "action" purposes, visually look for schools around the docks and fish for them with bobbers and small live bait.
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On the sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep on the weed edges. Topwater bite has been excellent, especially early in the morning. There's a batch of fish using weed clumps in mid-depth (6-12 FOW) water that will bite all day, but you have to fish very tight to cover, and very methodically. This has been the best pattern in terms of consistency over the last couple of weeks, and it is working great for people who put in the time.
Smallmouth fishing has been spotty like it has been most of the season. I'm not saying you can't catch fish, but you'll need to be ready to make some changes on the fly to stay on an active bite. If you can find some active fish, you can do well, but making that connection can be a tough nut to crack consistently. Look for them around the edges of the rock bars or sand/rock transition areas early, but by mid-morning the fish will be deeper than you think they should be. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits, tubes (watermelon red especially) and small white crankbaits.
Walleye fishing dropped off a bit as many people started pulling out the musky gear. Some fish are coming out of 18-25 FOW, but finding some fish in the weeds early and late in the day is your best bet. I'd jig tight to weed edges with the biggest leaches you can find, or lindy rig with small suckers. If you're out close to dark, you may be able to trigger some fish casting minnowbaits like rapalas, rouges or thundersticks over weed clumps adjacent to deeper water or at the ends of points. The cooler temps have pulled some fish shallower.
Pike fishing has been steady and i probably your best bet for action fishing right now. 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. There is action early in the day on buzzbaits fished over shallow flats, and throwing reapers at deeper patches of weeds in the evenings (very common late summer patterns).
Musky: Still Early, but lots of people are out doing it. Most anglers are reporting some lazy follows but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. Great time to start fishing rising gliders. and burning blades around weed edges. I think we're still a week or two out from the start of the good part of the year, but shops are getting suckers in, so get out if you can.
Cheers,
CT
Saturday, August 24, 2019
Saturday, August 17, 2019
Summer wrapping up....time to get on the water. (Fishing Report 8-16-19)
The end run of summer begins this week.
Time to get on the water. As we move into mid August look for fish in the usual summer places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they will actively feed. Water temps are in the mid to high 70's, but are slowly trending down due to the changes in the photocycle and the length of daylight. This is a trigger mechanism for the fish, and you can expect to see activity levels peak and ebb during each day. The photocycle really starts dominating fish activity this time of year because it is tied to everything else.
Panfish are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for them to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend over deeper sandgrass about 14-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Out with the kids the last couple of weeks, we caught lots of nice gills just above the bottom in deep sand along the 12-18 foot drops, and suspended just off the transition.
Crappies can be taken suspended over midlake structure or cribs/ Fish vertical with a tightline. Plastics tipped with spikes or waxies, tail hooked minnows or small jig and plastic combos have been productive.
Largemouth will continue to come in using two primary patterns in the short term. On the sunny days, you can find them around shallow docks, wood laydowns, slop and scattered weed clumps. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell.
Be ready to switch tactics on the fly as they switch on and off. Look for them around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic even in the middle part of the day.
Deeper fish will continue to use weededges and points that reach out to 12-18 feet of water, but don't overlook schools of fish chasing bait over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water as the crayfish move up for the last run of the late summer molt. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3 maybe 5 shallow foraging moves each day. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 floating rapalas (classic patterns are classic for a reason) or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, wacky, skirted grubs or twister tail grubs as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Crankbaits in white or chartreuse, spinners or live bait are better for the deeper fish, we caught several very nice smallies this week on leeches when targeting walleyes.
Walleyes will continue to hold in their summer patterns for another couple of weeks, but they will quickly make a move to shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their fall spawning run. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in 12-18 feet of water is a good place to start, and be ready to adjust to deeper water on sunny days or shallower on cloudy or windy days. A steady breeze is your friend, because you can drift. If its still, you may need to rip jig in brush or weeds for consistent action.
A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish. Regardless of where you go, bring lots of bait and expect to see some cats and whitebass mixed into your catch.
Northern pike activity has been s steady all summer, and I wouldn't expect that to change. Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky fishing is starting to pick back up as the water cools. Hit those major windows, and look for fish around the ends of weedypoints where panfish and perch are suspending over open water.
Good Luck Out There.
Cheers,
CT
Time to get on the water. As we move into mid August look for fish in the usual summer places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they will actively feed. Water temps are in the mid to high 70's, but are slowly trending down due to the changes in the photocycle and the length of daylight. This is a trigger mechanism for the fish, and you can expect to see activity levels peak and ebb during each day. The photocycle really starts dominating fish activity this time of year because it is tied to everything else.
Panfish are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for them to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend over deeper sandgrass about 14-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Out with the kids the last couple of weeks, we caught lots of nice gills just above the bottom in deep sand along the 12-18 foot drops, and suspended just off the transition.
Crappies can be taken suspended over midlake structure or cribs/ Fish vertical with a tightline. Plastics tipped with spikes or waxies, tail hooked minnows or small jig and plastic combos have been productive.
Largemouth will continue to come in using two primary patterns in the short term. On the sunny days, you can find them around shallow docks, wood laydowns, slop and scattered weed clumps. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell.
Be ready to switch tactics on the fly as they switch on and off. Look for them around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic even in the middle part of the day.
Deeper fish will continue to use weededges and points that reach out to 12-18 feet of water, but don't overlook schools of fish chasing bait over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water as the crayfish move up for the last run of the late summer molt. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3 maybe 5 shallow foraging moves each day. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 floating rapalas (classic patterns are classic for a reason) or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, wacky, skirted grubs or twister tail grubs as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Crankbaits in white or chartreuse, spinners or live bait are better for the deeper fish, we caught several very nice smallies this week on leeches when targeting walleyes.
Walleyes will continue to hold in their summer patterns for another couple of weeks, but they will quickly make a move to shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their fall spawning run. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in 12-18 feet of water is a good place to start, and be ready to adjust to deeper water on sunny days or shallower on cloudy or windy days. A steady breeze is your friend, because you can drift. If its still, you may need to rip jig in brush or weeds for consistent action.
A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish. Regardless of where you go, bring lots of bait and expect to see some cats and whitebass mixed into your catch.
Northern pike activity has been s steady all summer, and I wouldn't expect that to change. Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky fishing is starting to pick back up as the water cools. Hit those major windows, and look for fish around the ends of weedypoints where panfish and perch are suspending over open water.
Good Luck Out There.
Cheers,
CT
Friday, July 19, 2019
Fishing Report 7-19-19
Hey gang,
Well the hot part of summer dropped in on us this week, and conditions have changed substantially on our area lakes. Water temps are in themid 80s, but it was the air temps and humidity you had to watch out for this week.
The other key factor on the water is that the majority of local lakes are way down from a couple of weeks ago. While you won't notice much a difference on the main lake, areas that are current based, there's not much happening. If you can find some flowing water, it'll have bait and some quality fish fish in it.
Panfish have moved to mid-summer depths. Look for them suspended off weed lines and main lake points about 18-22 feet down over deep water. The bug and shiner hatches over the last ten days really have them schooled up out deep, but in areas with shade and current, you can still find some decent keepers shallow, and with the water temperatures we have right, they are almost cooked by the time you reel them in. Drifting with slip bobbers, tightlining vertically or long-lining split shot rigs tipped with live bait is the best way to target keepers. Watch for bugs surfacing in the mornings and evenings, and there will be fish nearby.
Bass fishing was surprisingly good given the heat. Some fish are on the weedlines in 12-18 and 18-22 FOW, but a decent number are still holding along the shallow to deep transitions lines that have thick weeds on them. Crankbaits, slow-rolled spinner baits, flapper grubs or texas rigs are the best options on the deeper fish. Live bait in the form of larger shiners or small suckers on a slip sinker rig with produce. Look for feeding periods from just before sun-up until about 8:30-9, and then again from about 4pm to just after dark. The fish are actively chasing bait during these periods, and can be caught on grubs, ringworms, ned rigs, flapper tail grubs, and jigworms. Topwater action slowed down a bit since the heat set in, but is still producing early. After the initial feeding, look for fish to get tight to shallow cover, docks, slop or weed edges, and then chase them down with wacky, tubes, and jig/craw combos. Pay attention to the shadows, and don't be afraid to make multiple skips or pitches to fishy looking spots. The slop bite was producing, but producing lots of smaller fish right now. Best bite has been on shallow weedflats with scattered cover, where you can visibly see baitfish schooled up and swimming around. This week I caught fish at essentially every depth between 18 inches and 30 feet.
Smallmouth action has been a little slower. They are still biting, but like the largemouths there's periods of time during the day for active feeding. The crayfish are not in full molt yet, and when that starts expect the smallie action to go gangbusters for 10 days - 2 weeks. Right now you can catch some smallies on the flats and mainlake structure, especially along the drop-off edges, or suspended off the breaks in deep water. Tubes, wacky, grubs and soft jerkbaits are all producing the shallow fish, while suspending jerkbaits and crankbaits are catching the deeper fish. Docks were holding some fish late last week, and I was catching some decent numbers and sized fish using a downsized presentation before the bite dropped off .
The walleye were biting at either end of the day, especially just before dawn and around sunset, but after the weather shifted the bite got tough. The fish I was seeing this week were in the deep weed edges in 14-18 FOW, but I know some guys fishing at night were getting some as shallow as 6 FOW just after dark.
Northern Pike fishing has slowed down with the heat. Deeper pike are biting good, especially those patrolling deep sand flats. Crankbaits, live bait or spinner baits will produce.
Musky fishing has been very slow, but a few people are trolling for them. Look for them to be suspended around schools of cisco over the deepest water. Please be careful with caught muskies this time of year, the heat is very hard on them. Give them plenty of time when reviving them, and don't keep them out of the water any longer than necessary.
Good Luck,
CT
Well the hot part of summer dropped in on us this week, and conditions have changed substantially on our area lakes. Water temps are in themid 80s, but it was the air temps and humidity you had to watch out for this week.
The other key factor on the water is that the majority of local lakes are way down from a couple of weeks ago. While you won't notice much a difference on the main lake, areas that are current based, there's not much happening. If you can find some flowing water, it'll have bait and some quality fish fish in it.
Panfish have moved to mid-summer depths. Look for them suspended off weed lines and main lake points about 18-22 feet down over deep water. The bug and shiner hatches over the last ten days really have them schooled up out deep, but in areas with shade and current, you can still find some decent keepers shallow, and with the water temperatures we have right, they are almost cooked by the time you reel them in. Drifting with slip bobbers, tightlining vertically or long-lining split shot rigs tipped with live bait is the best way to target keepers. Watch for bugs surfacing in the mornings and evenings, and there will be fish nearby.
Bass fishing was surprisingly good given the heat. Some fish are on the weedlines in 12-18 and 18-22 FOW, but a decent number are still holding along the shallow to deep transitions lines that have thick weeds on them. Crankbaits, slow-rolled spinner baits, flapper grubs or texas rigs are the best options on the deeper fish. Live bait in the form of larger shiners or small suckers on a slip sinker rig with produce. Look for feeding periods from just before sun-up until about 8:30-9, and then again from about 4pm to just after dark. The fish are actively chasing bait during these periods, and can be caught on grubs, ringworms, ned rigs, flapper tail grubs, and jigworms. Topwater action slowed down a bit since the heat set in, but is still producing early. After the initial feeding, look for fish to get tight to shallow cover, docks, slop or weed edges, and then chase them down with wacky, tubes, and jig/craw combos. Pay attention to the shadows, and don't be afraid to make multiple skips or pitches to fishy looking spots. The slop bite was producing, but producing lots of smaller fish right now. Best bite has been on shallow weedflats with scattered cover, where you can visibly see baitfish schooled up and swimming around. This week I caught fish at essentially every depth between 18 inches and 30 feet.
Smallmouth action has been a little slower. They are still biting, but like the largemouths there's periods of time during the day for active feeding. The crayfish are not in full molt yet, and when that starts expect the smallie action to go gangbusters for 10 days - 2 weeks. Right now you can catch some smallies on the flats and mainlake structure, especially along the drop-off edges, or suspended off the breaks in deep water. Tubes, wacky, grubs and soft jerkbaits are all producing the shallow fish, while suspending jerkbaits and crankbaits are catching the deeper fish. Docks were holding some fish late last week, and I was catching some decent numbers and sized fish using a downsized presentation before the bite dropped off .
The walleye were biting at either end of the day, especially just before dawn and around sunset, but after the weather shifted the bite got tough. The fish I was seeing this week were in the deep weed edges in 14-18 FOW, but I know some guys fishing at night were getting some as shallow as 6 FOW just after dark.
Northern Pike fishing has slowed down with the heat. Deeper pike are biting good, especially those patrolling deep sand flats. Crankbaits, live bait or spinner baits will produce.
Musky fishing has been very slow, but a few people are trolling for them. Look for them to be suspended around schools of cisco over the deepest water. Please be careful with caught muskies this time of year, the heat is very hard on them. Give them plenty of time when reviving them, and don't keep them out of the water any longer than necessary.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, July 12, 2019
Fishing Report 7-12-19
Overall conditions haven't changed much during the last little bit. The water is still high on many area lakes, but has come down a bit overall with the higher temperatures. Water temps are high 70's to low 80's.
Weeds are about summer average, but the story there is the explosive growth of the milfoil again this season. Lots of fish are using the beds of milfoil that have taken root in areas of our local lake that don't traditionally have weeds.
Panfish are done spawning for the most part. Just need some to reel in with the kids? Docks and swim platforms are you best bets, but shady banks with sandy or gravel bottoms can hold some as well. Looking for keepers? Crappie are on the deep weededges and suspending over cribs or humps in deeper water. Areas where a weed edge touches a drop off to much deeper water are especially good places to start. They were a little higher in the column than the last couple of weeks, but that may have been schools of baitfish as well. Bluegills are suspending about 12-18' down over much deeper water. Slipbbobbers or tight-lining with live bait or plastics has been working, but drifting through the schools was the key element to continued success.
Bass fishing has remained steady but you may have to work them a little now that the water temps are up. There's an early bite happening on most lakes up until about 8:15am. Then fish are moving into the weeds, under piers or into the slop. They can also be targeted around overhanging cover or weededges adjacent to deeper water. The bite is picking up again around 4:30 and remains fairly consistent until dark. Fish are being taken in shallow water on wacky worms, tubes, skirted grubs, ned rigs and shaky head worms. Deeper fish are coming on jigworms, texas rigged plastics or jigs with a craw or chunk trailer. Crankbaiting deep weed points , a classic summer pattern, got going this week as well. Live bait, chubs, leeches or crawlers on a slip sinker or lindy rig have also been catching some fish as deep as 22 FOW on the clear water lakes.
Northern pike continue to bite.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. Trolling deep-diving crankbaits in natural or reflective patterns like SK-5D's, Norman D22's, hot n tots, or wiggle warts around the weed edges has also been producing some fish. 18-22 FOW seems to be the hot zone for pike right now, but don't be surprised to find them out deeper.
Walleye fishing has picked back up. The wind during this last stretch has really pushed the walleye back into shallower water. If you're going to look for them, I'd start by trolling small minnow baits around the ends of deep points and midlake bars trying to find some suspended fish, or back troll (slowly) around deep weed edges in 18-22 fow with live bait. Once you have them located, set up and jig for them vertically. I caught walleyes in as shallow as 6 and as deep as 22 FOW this week.
Catfishing on the Rock and Fox has been decent, but most of the fish that are being caught are a little smaller. You want a meal...its a great option, if you're looking to do battle with a monster, you might want to wait a bit. Cutbait has been outproducing stink bait or nightcrawlers, just know the water is very high, very dirty...you'll need to be precise with a presentation, and use a very heavy rig to keep contact with it.
Musky fishing has dropped off a bit as anglers hang up their gear in the warmer water. Most of the fish that are being caught while trolling deep edges and over deep flat structure in 22-45 fow, but a few are still coming on topwater during low light periods, especially very early in the morning. Look for them suspended around deep water structure, especially the deep end of long points.
Good Luck.
Cheers,
CT
Weeds are about summer average, but the story there is the explosive growth of the milfoil again this season. Lots of fish are using the beds of milfoil that have taken root in areas of our local lake that don't traditionally have weeds.
Panfish are done spawning for the most part. Just need some to reel in with the kids? Docks and swim platforms are you best bets, but shady banks with sandy or gravel bottoms can hold some as well. Looking for keepers? Crappie are on the deep weededges and suspending over cribs or humps in deeper water. Areas where a weed edge touches a drop off to much deeper water are especially good places to start. They were a little higher in the column than the last couple of weeks, but that may have been schools of baitfish as well. Bluegills are suspending about 12-18' down over much deeper water. Slipbbobbers or tight-lining with live bait or plastics has been working, but drifting through the schools was the key element to continued success.
Bass fishing has remained steady but you may have to work them a little now that the water temps are up. There's an early bite happening on most lakes up until about 8:15am. Then fish are moving into the weeds, under piers or into the slop. They can also be targeted around overhanging cover or weededges adjacent to deeper water. The bite is picking up again around 4:30 and remains fairly consistent until dark. Fish are being taken in shallow water on wacky worms, tubes, skirted grubs, ned rigs and shaky head worms. Deeper fish are coming on jigworms, texas rigged plastics or jigs with a craw or chunk trailer. Crankbaiting deep weed points , a classic summer pattern, got going this week as well. Live bait, chubs, leeches or crawlers on a slip sinker or lindy rig have also been catching some fish as deep as 22 FOW on the clear water lakes.
Northern pike continue to bite.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. Trolling deep-diving crankbaits in natural or reflective patterns like SK-5D's, Norman D22's, hot n tots, or wiggle warts around the weed edges has also been producing some fish. 18-22 FOW seems to be the hot zone for pike right now, but don't be surprised to find them out deeper.
Walleye fishing has picked back up. The wind during this last stretch has really pushed the walleye back into shallower water. If you're going to look for them, I'd start by trolling small minnow baits around the ends of deep points and midlake bars trying to find some suspended fish, or back troll (slowly) around deep weed edges in 18-22 fow with live bait. Once you have them located, set up and jig for them vertically. I caught walleyes in as shallow as 6 and as deep as 22 FOW this week.
Catfishing on the Rock and Fox has been decent, but most of the fish that are being caught are a little smaller. You want a meal...its a great option, if you're looking to do battle with a monster, you might want to wait a bit. Cutbait has been outproducing stink bait or nightcrawlers, just know the water is very high, very dirty...you'll need to be precise with a presentation, and use a very heavy rig to keep contact with it.
Musky fishing has dropped off a bit as anglers hang up their gear in the warmer water. Most of the fish that are being caught while trolling deep edges and over deep flat structure in 22-45 fow, but a few are still coming on topwater during low light periods, especially very early in the morning. Look for them suspended around deep water structure, especially the deep end of long points.
Good Luck.
Cheers,
CT
Tuesday, July 2, 2019
Happy 4th of July: Fishing Report 7-3-19
In town for the holiday? Want to get out yourself or let the kids have some fun? I have some openings both this and next week. Call (262-893-2183) or Email Me for more information
Long week/ weekend ahead with the holiday, fireworks and so expect to see lots of people on the water, assuming the rains don't keep them away.
Our last 10 days has seen some crazy unstable weather. Around the area...water temps are mid 70's after the cooler nights and several days of heavy rain. Water levels are very high around the area, several lakes are slow no wake, so make sure you check at the launch.
Weed growth is about average for this time of year, there's finally schools of baitfish swimming around, with big (but very late) hatches of pin minnows and panfish over the last 10 days.
Importantly: Remember that the sun is at its most direct over the next couple of weeks. You can really increase your success by fishing early mornings, evenings and if you can stand the bugs, at night. (It also helps with the afternoon boat traffic and those pesky jetskis.)
Panfish Looking for action for the kids? Small panfish can be caught in shallow water using a small hook, bobber and live bait, especially around docks or swim platforms. I recommend a size 10 red hook, a small split shot and wax worms for live bait. Keep it close to docks, visible weed clumps in shallow water or swim platforms. You'll catch them fast and furious.
Looking for keepers? A few fish are still spawning, but I saw hatched bluegill fry swimming around (and being fed on) today (Tuesday 7-2) when I was out. The better sized fish are being caught out of the deeper water by anglers drifting and fishing vertically or with slip sinker rigs. Look for better sized gills to be in 10-15 FOW. If you're on a deep school, but not catching keepers, get your bait down a little deeper.
Crappie are suspending over deep water, and along weed edges, and the activity has been steady by anglers who find the schools. Tight-lining with small plastics or a tail hooked minnow works great. I'd start your search around the deeper edges of weedy points, but look for crappies to be 8-12 feet down.
Largemouth bass are catchable in a variety of ways. Look for them in inside weed edges in 4-6 FOW and the outside edges in 8-15 FOW. These fish can be caught on a variety of tackle: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, texas rigs, wacky worms, ned rigs, shakey heads, grubs and tubes. Looking for some real fun? Topwaters are still catching fish over the weedflats in 5-8 feet right now, but only consistently before and at first light, and the topwater bite drops off substantially by 9am.
Tip: Not a regular angler, but want to catch some bass while you're in town this week? Get some leeches, and fish them around the edges of visible weeds in 10-12 FOW on a slip sinker rig with a 1/4 oz egg sinker. (You can send me an email to thank me later.)
Smallmouth bass fishing was average the last 10 days. Fish are using rocky points and bars with current on them especially early and later in the day. Most fish are holding on the deep side of breaks or suspending off mainlake structure, coming in briefly to forage. Skirted grubs, twister tails, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads, lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits or floating rapalas are your best tackle options, but small suckers has been working in the deep sand in 18-25 feet.
Tip: Get up early or stay up late.
Walleye fishing has been slow since it got hot out. Anglers putting in time are catching a fish, although keepers have been hard to come by. Fish continue to be caught along outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass/milfoil patches. Slip bobbers or split shot rigs with live bait or suckers, backtrolled on lindy or a slip-sinker rig has been producing the larger fish. Fishing over the tops of weed clumps near breaklines with floating rapala minnows, flukes, small reapers, jigworms or twister tail grubs is grabbing a few as well, especially during low light conditions.
Tip: Fish for action, not for food.
Pike fishing picked up substantially. Active fish are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small baitfish, including a massive bloom in juvenile panfish. Fish with willow leaf spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or buzzbaits tight to scattered weedclumps in 4-8 FOW. Larger pike: try the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig or troll with deep diving crankbaits as close to the weedline as you can.
Tip: Buzzbaits!
Musky fishing remains slow overall. Anglers continue to report lots of lazy follows, and that was certainly the case when I was out Sunday. If you want to target musky, follow your charts, and fish the windows. When I was out over the weekend, we moved several fish during the peak window and I've heard similar reports from other people who have been checking in.
Tip: Downsize that presentation, because Damn! Some guys are throwing some awful big stuff out there right now.
Around the area:
Okauchee: Bass are on the piers, in the slop and on the weed edges in 8-15 FOW. Lots of action from smaller pike in the shallow weed flats. Musky are feeding during the major periods, but are otherwise holding in 18-22 fow. Nothing substantial to report on panfish as the spawn is largely over, but look for them to be schooled up at the end of points over deeper water. Water is very high, and areas with current are productive.
Garvin: Great spot for panfish lately with some nice keepers. Look for the sunken wood in 10-15 feet. Musky are still using the treeline break and suspending off the south drop. Bass are using the shallow flat areas. Pike are on the deep weedlines and suspending over the deeper water.
Oconomowoc: Smallmouth fishing has slowed way down this season, but Largemouth fishing has been fantastic.. Mornings and evenings have been best. Bass are holding on the obvious structural breaks and suspending off the deep ends of the mainlake points. Guys are catching some nice panfish out there this year, but the walleye fishing really dropped off this week.
Fowler: Small panfish are biting, a few LM were caught in the river and out of the deeper areas with some surface slop or lilly pads. Pike are on the weedlines, as usual. Note with the flow in the Oconomowoc River right now, you may need to work the current seams for continuing success.
Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing is moving toward its typical summer pace. Weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks are still holding fish as are drop-offs in 18-25 FOW. Bass are on the rocks, rip rap and around the docks. White and yellow bass have been schooling up in the early evenings over open water areas.
Moose: Bass and pike have been a little slow, especially for keepers. Target the breaks and weed clumps in shallow water with crankbaits or spinners. Backtrolling with small suckers on a slip sinker rigs around the first major drop to deep water. Mornings have been better. Plenty of easy to catch, albeit small, panfish in the shallows for the kids to have some fun, but the water is very, very hight right now.
Ashipunn: Bass and pike have been biting, and the action is close to average for this time of year. Best bet on Ashipunn is to concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Flipping tubes, lizards or long straight tailed worms to visible weed pockets is producing numbers. Panfish are mostly off the beds and are suspending right off the deep weed edge.
Golden: Bluegills are moving out to deeper water, suspending over the deep part of the basin, but holding close to weed edges adjacent to deeper water. Crappie are in huge schools suspending off the points and weed edges. Bass have been biting best in the morning, but a deeper weedline bite has been picking up, especially in the afternoon.. Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits fished through the weedy areas.
Silver: Bass can be caught using plastics around the weed clumps in 4-10 feet or around piers and boat lifts. Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 12-18 FOW. Some anglers are targeting larger panfish in 15-22 FOW.
Nagawicka: Largemouths are average, and in summer patterns so look to catch them off boat docks, in the slop and along the shallow weed edges. Pike have been average, especially on crankbaits or buzzbaits fished over weed edges at either end of the lake.
Pewaukee: Bass have been very active, but a bit on the smaller side. Musky anglers are seeing, but not catching, many fish. Walleye fishing has been better in the evenings, and awful slow during the day.
Lower and Middle Genessee: Panfish have moved to the deeper water with sandgrass, and largemouths are being caught around shallow to mid depth weeds. Lindy rigging with live bait, especially leeches or leafworms has been very good for both bass and panfish.
Good luck, and stay safe on the water this holiday weekend.
Long week/ weekend ahead with the holiday, fireworks and so expect to see lots of people on the water, assuming the rains don't keep them away.
Our last 10 days has seen some crazy unstable weather. Around the area...water temps are mid 70's after the cooler nights and several days of heavy rain. Water levels are very high around the area, several lakes are slow no wake, so make sure you check at the launch.
Weed growth is about average for this time of year, there's finally schools of baitfish swimming around, with big (but very late) hatches of pin minnows and panfish over the last 10 days.
Importantly: Remember that the sun is at its most direct over the next couple of weeks. You can really increase your success by fishing early mornings, evenings and if you can stand the bugs, at night. (It also helps with the afternoon boat traffic and those pesky jetskis.)
Panfish Looking for action for the kids? Small panfish can be caught in shallow water using a small hook, bobber and live bait, especially around docks or swim platforms. I recommend a size 10 red hook, a small split shot and wax worms for live bait. Keep it close to docks, visible weed clumps in shallow water or swim platforms. You'll catch them fast and furious.
Looking for keepers? A few fish are still spawning, but I saw hatched bluegill fry swimming around (and being fed on) today (Tuesday 7-2) when I was out. The better sized fish are being caught out of the deeper water by anglers drifting and fishing vertically or with slip sinker rigs. Look for better sized gills to be in 10-15 FOW. If you're on a deep school, but not catching keepers, get your bait down a little deeper.
Crappie are suspending over deep water, and along weed edges, and the activity has been steady by anglers who find the schools. Tight-lining with small plastics or a tail hooked minnow works great. I'd start your search around the deeper edges of weedy points, but look for crappies to be 8-12 feet down.
Largemouth bass are catchable in a variety of ways. Look for them in inside weed edges in 4-6 FOW and the outside edges in 8-15 FOW. These fish can be caught on a variety of tackle: spinnerbaits, crankbaits, texas rigs, wacky worms, ned rigs, shakey heads, grubs and tubes. Looking for some real fun? Topwaters are still catching fish over the weedflats in 5-8 feet right now, but only consistently before and at first light, and the topwater bite drops off substantially by 9am.
Tip: Not a regular angler, but want to catch some bass while you're in town this week? Get some leeches, and fish them around the edges of visible weeds in 10-12 FOW on a slip sinker rig with a 1/4 oz egg sinker. (You can send me an email to thank me later.)
Smallmouth bass fishing was average the last 10 days. Fish are using rocky points and bars with current on them especially early and later in the day. Most fish are holding on the deep side of breaks or suspending off mainlake structure, coming in briefly to forage. Skirted grubs, twister tails, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads, lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits or floating rapalas are your best tackle options, but small suckers has been working in the deep sand in 18-25 feet.
Tip: Get up early or stay up late.
Walleye fishing has been slow since it got hot out. Anglers putting in time are catching a fish, although keepers have been hard to come by. Fish continue to be caught along outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass/milfoil patches. Slip bobbers or split shot rigs with live bait or suckers, backtrolled on lindy or a slip-sinker rig has been producing the larger fish. Fishing over the tops of weed clumps near breaklines with floating rapala minnows, flukes, small reapers, jigworms or twister tail grubs is grabbing a few as well, especially during low light conditions.
Tip: Fish for action, not for food.
Pike fishing picked up substantially. Active fish are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small baitfish, including a massive bloom in juvenile panfish. Fish with willow leaf spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or buzzbaits tight to scattered weedclumps in 4-8 FOW. Larger pike: try the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig or troll with deep diving crankbaits as close to the weedline as you can.
Tip: Buzzbaits!
Musky fishing remains slow overall. Anglers continue to report lots of lazy follows, and that was certainly the case when I was out Sunday. If you want to target musky, follow your charts, and fish the windows. When I was out over the weekend, we moved several fish during the peak window and I've heard similar reports from other people who have been checking in.
Tip: Downsize that presentation, because Damn! Some guys are throwing some awful big stuff out there right now.
Around the area:
Okauchee: Bass are on the piers, in the slop and on the weed edges in 8-15 FOW. Lots of action from smaller pike in the shallow weed flats. Musky are feeding during the major periods, but are otherwise holding in 18-22 fow. Nothing substantial to report on panfish as the spawn is largely over, but look for them to be schooled up at the end of points over deeper water. Water is very high, and areas with current are productive.
Garvin: Great spot for panfish lately with some nice keepers. Look for the sunken wood in 10-15 feet. Musky are still using the treeline break and suspending off the south drop. Bass are using the shallow flat areas. Pike are on the deep weedlines and suspending over the deeper water.
Oconomowoc: Smallmouth fishing has slowed way down this season, but Largemouth fishing has been fantastic.. Mornings and evenings have been best. Bass are holding on the obvious structural breaks and suspending off the deep ends of the mainlake points. Guys are catching some nice panfish out there this year, but the walleye fishing really dropped off this week.
Fowler: Small panfish are biting, a few LM were caught in the river and out of the deeper areas with some surface slop or lilly pads. Pike are on the weedlines, as usual. Note with the flow in the Oconomowoc River right now, you may need to work the current seams for continuing success.
Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing is moving toward its typical summer pace. Weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks are still holding fish as are drop-offs in 18-25 FOW. Bass are on the rocks, rip rap and around the docks. White and yellow bass have been schooling up in the early evenings over open water areas.
Moose: Bass and pike have been a little slow, especially for keepers. Target the breaks and weed clumps in shallow water with crankbaits or spinners. Backtrolling with small suckers on a slip sinker rigs around the first major drop to deep water. Mornings have been better. Plenty of easy to catch, albeit small, panfish in the shallows for the kids to have some fun, but the water is very, very hight right now.
Ashipunn: Bass and pike have been biting, and the action is close to average for this time of year. Best bet on Ashipunn is to concentrate on the visible weed patches, and work them from a variety of angles with spinners or plastics. Flipping tubes, lizards or long straight tailed worms to visible weed pockets is producing numbers. Panfish are mostly off the beds and are suspending right off the deep weed edge.
Golden: Bluegills are moving out to deeper water, suspending over the deep part of the basin, but holding close to weed edges adjacent to deeper water. Crappie are in huge schools suspending off the points and weed edges. Bass have been biting best in the morning, but a deeper weedline bite has been picking up, especially in the afternoon.. Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits fished through the weedy areas.
Silver: Bass can be caught using plastics around the weed clumps in 4-10 feet or around piers and boat lifts. Crappies have been suspending over the east cribs, and keeper bluegills are holding in the deep sandgrass in 12-18 FOW. Some anglers are targeting larger panfish in 15-22 FOW.
Nagawicka: Largemouths are average, and in summer patterns so look to catch them off boat docks, in the slop and along the shallow weed edges. Pike have been average, especially on crankbaits or buzzbaits fished over weed edges at either end of the lake.
Pewaukee: Bass have been very active, but a bit on the smaller side. Musky anglers are seeing, but not catching, many fish. Walleye fishing has been better in the evenings, and awful slow during the day.
Lower and Middle Genessee: Panfish have moved to the deeper water with sandgrass, and largemouths are being caught around shallow to mid depth weeds. Lindy rigging with live bait, especially leeches or leafworms has been very good for both bass and panfish.
Good luck, and stay safe on the water this holiday weekend.
Thursday, June 20, 2019
Fishing Report 6-20-19
Conditions around the area have been challenging lots of people. The mix of unstable weather, low water temps and some windy conditions really slowed down fishing activity the last week. Sadly, it really was great week to be on the water.
Around the area, right now most lakes are in the mid 60's, and frankly that's fairly cold for mid-June. Weed growth varies from lake to lake, but is about average for this point in the year. Importantly, the cooler water temps have kept some of the baitfish from spawning/hatching out, and finding bait cam be really important to having solid success.
Bluegills are in an odd place. The water got up into the low 70's before the last run of fronts, but with the drop back, it has slowed spawning activity some. If you're looking for action, areas of beds can still be found in the shallows, but they've been heavily picked over on many lakes, so if you want some bigger fish, move out to 8-12 feet of water and look for beds in gravel and sandy areas. Vertical fishing with a split shot and live bait rig works great, as does pulling a 1/8 ounce lindy/or slip sinker rig with a short leader through likely areas. (Try panfish leaches if you can find them, or plastics tipped with waxworms or leafworms.) If you can find fish on a sand flat, drifting through them can be really effective.
Bass are in what I can best describe as a post-spawn, but actively feeding pattern, with lots of areas and techniques producing. On cloudy days topwater and crankbaits are catching lots of fish over open water areas, especially weed patches (look for milfoil beds especially) on the mid-depth flats in 6-12 feet of water. On sunny days, especially those with lots of wind, fish are tighter to cover or using shallow sand and rock bars in 3-8 feet of water. Plastics, flipped, skipped or pitched are great ways to target these fish. Live bait on slip sinker rigs are catching some fish for anglers making solid drifts over productive areas. Fish were in both deep and crazy shallow water this week. Ned rigs continue to put fish in the boat for many people, but grubs, pre-rigged worms, texas rigs, jig and chunks and even skirted grubs are all producing. I caught some serious numbers and sized fish this week, but had to work for them to do so. Finesse is helping, but for the love of Pete, just try slowing down. The fish are where they should be, but you have to get a presentation into their narrow strike zone to get bit consistently.
Good rule of thumb: if you thinking you're going slow enough, that's still twice as fast as you should fish.
Pike fishing was fairly steady this week, but there were lots of undersized fish coming in. So Action good, results: limited. The best way to find pike has been to locate concentrations of baitfish, and then fish through those areas with a purpose. Active fish can come shallow, so look for shallow flats or weedy areas with easy access to deep water. The usual casting techniques will catch pike--spinners, lipless cranks, buzzbaits, spoons...but don't overlook a Husky Jerk, Shadow Rap, Floating Rapala or a reaper.
Walleye fishing has been better on the windy days. Fish on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc, North and Fox Lake are using shallow weed edges but with the brighter sun days ahead, if you can find a weed edge in 15-18 FOW, sit on it. Jigging with live bait or drifting with lindy rigs/ spinner harnesses has been productive Trolling with Shad Raps/Flicker Shads is picking up, as is typical for this time of year. Find some fish.....there will be a pile of them close by, but don't expect to have long periods of activity. Caught some decent ones in the last week by really downsizing my rigs and jigs, but going bigger on the leeches.
Musky fishing continues to perplex people. The conditions seem awesome, but I heard lots of reports of blanks from people putting in some time. Gliders and bucktails seem to be producing the most follows, but converting fish has been difficult, and most people are reporting mid to high 30'd fish are the ones they are seeing. I heard nothing good about topwaters this week, and I was told lots of guys struck out throwing rubber. Tough bite, but on the positive side I had two different people tell me they had raised fish at the ends of points (on two different lakes as well), but only on points that were shallow with sand and where gills were spawning nearby.
Around the area, right now most lakes are in the mid 60's, and frankly that's fairly cold for mid-June. Weed growth varies from lake to lake, but is about average for this point in the year. Importantly, the cooler water temps have kept some of the baitfish from spawning/hatching out, and finding bait cam be really important to having solid success.
Bluegills are in an odd place. The water got up into the low 70's before the last run of fronts, but with the drop back, it has slowed spawning activity some. If you're looking for action, areas of beds can still be found in the shallows, but they've been heavily picked over on many lakes, so if you want some bigger fish, move out to 8-12 feet of water and look for beds in gravel and sandy areas. Vertical fishing with a split shot and live bait rig works great, as does pulling a 1/8 ounce lindy/or slip sinker rig with a short leader through likely areas. (Try panfish leaches if you can find them, or plastics tipped with waxworms or leafworms.) If you can find fish on a sand flat, drifting through them can be really effective.
Bass are in what I can best describe as a post-spawn, but actively feeding pattern, with lots of areas and techniques producing. On cloudy days topwater and crankbaits are catching lots of fish over open water areas, especially weed patches (look for milfoil beds especially) on the mid-depth flats in 6-12 feet of water. On sunny days, especially those with lots of wind, fish are tighter to cover or using shallow sand and rock bars in 3-8 feet of water. Plastics, flipped, skipped or pitched are great ways to target these fish. Live bait on slip sinker rigs are catching some fish for anglers making solid drifts over productive areas. Fish were in both deep and crazy shallow water this week. Ned rigs continue to put fish in the boat for many people, but grubs, pre-rigged worms, texas rigs, jig and chunks and even skirted grubs are all producing. I caught some serious numbers and sized fish this week, but had to work for them to do so. Finesse is helping, but for the love of Pete, just try slowing down. The fish are where they should be, but you have to get a presentation into their narrow strike zone to get bit consistently.
Good rule of thumb: if you thinking you're going slow enough, that's still twice as fast as you should fish.
Pike fishing was fairly steady this week, but there were lots of undersized fish coming in. So Action good, results: limited. The best way to find pike has been to locate concentrations of baitfish, and then fish through those areas with a purpose. Active fish can come shallow, so look for shallow flats or weedy areas with easy access to deep water. The usual casting techniques will catch pike--spinners, lipless cranks, buzzbaits, spoons...but don't overlook a Husky Jerk, Shadow Rap, Floating Rapala or a reaper.
Walleye fishing has been better on the windy days. Fish on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc, North and Fox Lake are using shallow weed edges but with the brighter sun days ahead, if you can find a weed edge in 15-18 FOW, sit on it. Jigging with live bait or drifting with lindy rigs/ spinner harnesses has been productive Trolling with Shad Raps/Flicker Shads is picking up, as is typical for this time of year. Find some fish.....there will be a pile of them close by, but don't expect to have long periods of activity. Caught some decent ones in the last week by really downsizing my rigs and jigs, but going bigger on the leeches.
Musky fishing continues to perplex people. The conditions seem awesome, but I heard lots of reports of blanks from people putting in some time. Gliders and bucktails seem to be producing the most follows, but converting fish has been difficult, and most people are reporting mid to high 30'd fish are the ones they are seeing. I heard nothing good about topwaters this week, and I was told lots of guys struck out throwing rubber. Tough bite, but on the positive side I had two different people tell me they had raised fish at the ends of points (on two different lakes as well), but only on points that were shallow with sand and where gills were spawning nearby.
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Fishing Report 6-13-19
Well gang, we have some serious fishing going on right now.
The wind made things challenging this week. Lots of people were beating the banks in protected cuts and bays...but the real action was on the middle of main-lake flats. The bite is very good, and the water conditions have stabilized, even if the weather hasn't. If you've been waiting to get on the water, you're missing some solid fishing right now.
The bluegills are spawning on most area lakes. Better panfish are being caught out of the deeper sand and suspended over deeper water. You'll still find some fish up in the shallow to mid depth on the nest. A good starting point is the deeper water adjacent to areas where you see beds in the shallow water. A slip sinker rig with an 1/8oz egg weight or lindy sinker above a short leader with a panfish leach or helgramite spider can put some quality gills in the boat right now.
Bass are starting to work traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish a bit of a puzzle from day to day. Docks, rockbars, slop, scattered weeds on flats have all been producing. The best bite for largemouth has been on the flats, but the weather kept lots of folks away this week. Slop bite is picking up steam on many of the smaller lakes. The topwater bite has been steady, but most topwater fish are being caught before 8am on sunny mornings on days when the wind isn't blowing. Pop-R's with an orange or red belly have been producing some nice schooling fish and jointed rapalas and gliders are catching some nice smallies. When on the feed, fish are patrolling shallow flat areas, and covering water on the larger flats can really run up your numbers right now. As the sun gets high, look for fish around (but not necessarily under) docks and in the mid depth water adjacent to longer points. Wacky, Ned Rigs Jigworms, Grubs, Ringworms, Jig/chunk, Skirted grubs, Pre-rigged worms, Texas rigs and Sliders will all catch fish.
Musky fishing continues to be good inconsistent. The most active fish have come on deep divers, gliders and large tubes fished along the deepest weedlines you can find. A few are being caught on topwaters, especially on Okauchee, Fowler and Lac Labelle.
Walleye action has picked back up. Leeches under slip bobbers are catching fish in 12-15 feet, especially around weed/rock transition areas. Suckers fished on a split shot rig have been taking some better fish, especially in the late evenings. Weededges are the areas to key on, especially in 7-12 feet of water.
Pike action was red hot this week, with lots of people fishing for bass catching bonus pike. Fish the weed flats and outside edges with spinners or live bait. Smaller, wide wobbling crankbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits are really producing for the action seekers. Reapers, inline spinners and large jerkbaits are catching some better fish. Northern pike fishing with live bait is a great way to fish right now. Look for major structure in the early mornings and late evenings and drift with lindy rigged suckers catching the majority of the fish.
If you've got specific questions: Feel free to email me.
Cheers,
CT
The wind made things challenging this week. Lots of people were beating the banks in protected cuts and bays...but the real action was on the middle of main-lake flats. The bite is very good, and the water conditions have stabilized, even if the weather hasn't. If you've been waiting to get on the water, you're missing some solid fishing right now.
The bluegills are spawning on most area lakes. Better panfish are being caught out of the deeper sand and suspended over deeper water. You'll still find some fish up in the shallow to mid depth on the nest. A good starting point is the deeper water adjacent to areas where you see beds in the shallow water. A slip sinker rig with an 1/8oz egg weight or lindy sinker above a short leader with a panfish leach or helgramite spider can put some quality gills in the boat right now.
Bass are starting to work traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish a bit of a puzzle from day to day. Docks, rockbars, slop, scattered weeds on flats have all been producing. The best bite for largemouth has been on the flats, but the weather kept lots of folks away this week. Slop bite is picking up steam on many of the smaller lakes. The topwater bite has been steady, but most topwater fish are being caught before 8am on sunny mornings on days when the wind isn't blowing. Pop-R's with an orange or red belly have been producing some nice schooling fish and jointed rapalas and gliders are catching some nice smallies. When on the feed, fish are patrolling shallow flat areas, and covering water on the larger flats can really run up your numbers right now. As the sun gets high, look for fish around (but not necessarily under) docks and in the mid depth water adjacent to longer points. Wacky, Ned Rigs Jigworms, Grubs, Ringworms, Jig/chunk, Skirted grubs, Pre-rigged worms, Texas rigs and Sliders will all catch fish.
Musky fishing continues to be good inconsistent. The most active fish have come on deep divers, gliders and large tubes fished along the deepest weedlines you can find. A few are being caught on topwaters, especially on Okauchee, Fowler and Lac Labelle.
Walleye action has picked back up. Leeches under slip bobbers are catching fish in 12-15 feet, especially around weed/rock transition areas. Suckers fished on a split shot rig have been taking some better fish, especially in the late evenings. Weededges are the areas to key on, especially in 7-12 feet of water.
Pike action was red hot this week, with lots of people fishing for bass catching bonus pike. Fish the weed flats and outside edges with spinners or live bait. Smaller, wide wobbling crankbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits are really producing for the action seekers. Reapers, inline spinners and large jerkbaits are catching some better fish. Northern pike fishing with live bait is a great way to fish right now. Look for major structure in the early mornings and late evenings and drift with lindy rigged suckers catching the majority of the fish.
If you've got specific questions: Feel free to email me.
Cheers,
CT
Friday, June 7, 2019
Fishing Report 6-7-19
Hey gang, it looks like we're finally going to get some stable conditions. Water temps are still in the mid to high 60's on most area lakes. Weed growth is still way behind the average. Bluegills are starting on nests, especially in sandy or pea gravel areas, and baitfish schools 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 8-12 FOW will produce.
Largemouth: Spawn is over, but the post spawn is not. The bite has been a bit slow overall, (tough conditions and low tournament weights over the last 10 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. Rocks will have some fish, and a jig and craw or skirted grub can produce if you stay mobile. There isn't much slop out there yet, but if you can find some it'll likely have some fish. Just about any presentation will work right now, but let the fish tell you how to do it/
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, jig and leech or lindy rigs with small suckers or chubs might be the answer to a tough bite. With the next batch of weather coming in, I expect things will really get going.
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. Live bait rigs or jigs during the day, casting with jig/grub, jig/small swimbait or jig/ringworm combos has been working early and late.
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 heavy leader is your best bet. Action: 4-8 FOW, Size 10-15 FOW.
Musky has been fairly 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 Fowler and North have been the most active in the last 10 days.
Good luck out there.
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 8-12 FOW will produce.
Largemouth: Spawn is over, but the post spawn is not. The bite has been a bit slow overall, (tough conditions and low tournament weights over the last 10 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. Rocks will have some fish, and a jig and craw or skirted grub can produce if you stay mobile. There isn't much slop out there yet, but if you can find some it'll likely have some fish. Just about any presentation will work right now, but let the fish tell you how to do it/
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, jig and leech or lindy rigs with small suckers or chubs might be the answer to a tough bite. With the next batch of weather coming in, I expect things will really get going.
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. Live bait rigs or jigs during the day, casting with jig/grub, jig/small swimbait or jig/ringworm combos has been working early and late.
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 heavy leader is your best bet. Action: 4-8 FOW, Size 10-15 FOW.
Musky has been fairly 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 Fowler and North have been the most active in the last 10 days.
Good luck out there.
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Fishing Report 5-30-2019
Hey gang,
Its is almost June, but you wouldn't know it by the weather or the conditions. Water temps are still in the low 60's in most places. Water is high everywhere close to home, and there's more rain on the way.
Everyone has good days and bad days...but I'll tell you, when its been on, it has been great...on the other days, I'm putting fish in the boat, but I'm grinding for them. The better part of consistent fishing is patterning fish....and it has been difficult to do it day to day.
A couple of things to keep in mind as you head out. Most, but not all of the LM and SM are done spawning, so on top of lousy conditions, it is post spawn. You need to slow down. Think you have? You're still going way too fast.
Second, making contact with the cover has been real important for triggering bites. I am catching fish every time out, but keeping the presentation in the strike zone (which has been very small some days) has been the key.
Panfish bluegills are staging for the spawning process. Crappies are at the end of their run, but the bluegills are just getting started. I'm starting to see some beds in the shallow water, especially in areas of sand or small gravel, but these tend to be the smaller fish. If you're looking for decent keepers, you need to look for those fish in 10-12 FOW. They are hard to find with the eye but a good starting point is the deeper water adjacent to areas where you see beds in the shallow water. Rock Bass have been biting like crazy everywhere, and could be a solid option if you're heading out with the kids.(Best bets: Middle Gen, Lower Nehmabin, Nag, Okauchee, Garvin, Keesus, Silver)
Largemouth are at the end of the spawn. You may still find a few fish on nests, but many are defending fry or starting to feed on juvenile bluegills. Most fish are patrolling shallow flat areas or are feeding hard around rockpiles and roadbeds. Look for them around scattered weeds or near where bluegills are starting to spawn, this a great pattern to work right now. This is topwater season, and poppers, jointed floating minnows and smaller walk the dog baits (like zara spooks) can really produce. As the sun gets high, look for fish around docks and in first deep water adjacent to longer points. Wacky, Ned Rigs, Tubes, Jigworms, Jig/chunk, Skirted grubs, pre-rigged worms, Texas rigs and Sliders will all catch fish.
Hot Tip of the Week: Go Old school and try the Old Davey Hite Floating Worm technique. Usually only works for a week or so, but with the season we're having, it is working great. (Orange is my favorite BTW)
(North, Keesus, Okauchee, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Golden, Forest, Silver, Ashippun.)
Smallmouth The active fish are in small wolfpack schools, patrolling shallow bars, points and drops with rock/weed transitions. Tubes, grubs, jerkbaits, spinners, topwater and live leeches or small suckers on lindy rigs are producing. (Pine, Oconomwoc, Lac Labelle, Nag, Upper and Lower Nehmabin, Beaver)
Northern pike are making move out to the deeper weed edges. Look for them in 10-15 or 12-18 FOW. Live bait on slip sinker rigs is always the most consistent approach for larger pike. If you're looking for faster action...square bill or lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, oversized grubs, Husky Jerks or spinners fished around shallow weeds, especially in flat areas will all produce. (Nag (Red hot!) Golden, Kessus, Fowler, Okauchee)
Walleye are using the heavy current, and relating the rock/weed transitions. Pitching jigs tipped with live bait into the holes on the weed edges or ends of weedlines has been very productive. Back trolling lindy rigs or pulling spinner harnesses along transition edges is producing. (Pine, Nag, Oconomowoc, Fowler, Lac Labelle).
Trout Stocked Trout fishing has still been good on many of the local lakes that got fish. The cooler weather and rain has pushed many of the fish deeper than they have been. Corn is always a bait option, but smaller minnows (crappie sized), red worms or scented plastics have been working. One person told me they caught a limit using a small gold mepps spinner.
Musky fishing reports have been slow (and scattered), but it might have more to do with the number of people fishing than the conditions of the bite. Reports suggest Pewaukee has been slow, and Okauchee is giving up a few smaller fish. Oconomowoc has been the most consistent. Gliders and bucktails have been the most productive daytime, with topwater giving up a few fish at dawn or just after the sun sets. I heard three independent people tell me that white skirt with a silver blade was the bucktail they used to catch a fish this week.
Around the area: Whitebass and Catfish are biting on the Rock River, but reports are a bit hard to come by.
Its is almost June, but you wouldn't know it by the weather or the conditions. Water temps are still in the low 60's in most places. Water is high everywhere close to home, and there's more rain on the way.
Everyone has good days and bad days...but I'll tell you, when its been on, it has been great...on the other days, I'm putting fish in the boat, but I'm grinding for them. The better part of consistent fishing is patterning fish....and it has been difficult to do it day to day.
A couple of things to keep in mind as you head out. Most, but not all of the LM and SM are done spawning, so on top of lousy conditions, it is post spawn. You need to slow down. Think you have? You're still going way too fast.
Second, making contact with the cover has been real important for triggering bites. I am catching fish every time out, but keeping the presentation in the strike zone (which has been very small some days) has been the key.
Panfish bluegills are staging for the spawning process. Crappies are at the end of their run, but the bluegills are just getting started. I'm starting to see some beds in the shallow water, especially in areas of sand or small gravel, but these tend to be the smaller fish. If you're looking for decent keepers, you need to look for those fish in 10-12 FOW. They are hard to find with the eye but a good starting point is the deeper water adjacent to areas where you see beds in the shallow water. Rock Bass have been biting like crazy everywhere, and could be a solid option if you're heading out with the kids.(Best bets: Middle Gen, Lower Nehmabin, Nag, Okauchee, Garvin, Keesus, Silver)
Largemouth are at the end of the spawn. You may still find a few fish on nests, but many are defending fry or starting to feed on juvenile bluegills. Most fish are patrolling shallow flat areas or are feeding hard around rockpiles and roadbeds. Look for them around scattered weeds or near where bluegills are starting to spawn, this a great pattern to work right now. This is topwater season, and poppers, jointed floating minnows and smaller walk the dog baits (like zara spooks) can really produce. As the sun gets high, look for fish around docks and in first deep water adjacent to longer points. Wacky, Ned Rigs, Tubes, Jigworms, Jig/chunk, Skirted grubs, pre-rigged worms, Texas rigs and Sliders will all catch fish.
Hot Tip of the Week: Go Old school and try the Old Davey Hite Floating Worm technique. Usually only works for a week or so, but with the season we're having, it is working great. (Orange is my favorite BTW)
(North, Keesus, Okauchee, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Golden, Forest, Silver, Ashippun.)
Smallmouth The active fish are in small wolfpack schools, patrolling shallow bars, points and drops with rock/weed transitions. Tubes, grubs, jerkbaits, spinners, topwater and live leeches or small suckers on lindy rigs are producing. (Pine, Oconomwoc, Lac Labelle, Nag, Upper and Lower Nehmabin, Beaver)
Northern pike are making move out to the deeper weed edges. Look for them in 10-15 or 12-18 FOW. Live bait on slip sinker rigs is always the most consistent approach for larger pike. If you're looking for faster action...square bill or lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, spoons, oversized grubs, Husky Jerks or spinners fished around shallow weeds, especially in flat areas will all produce. (Nag (Red hot!) Golden, Kessus, Fowler, Okauchee)
Walleye are using the heavy current, and relating the rock/weed transitions. Pitching jigs tipped with live bait into the holes on the weed edges or ends of weedlines has been very productive. Back trolling lindy rigs or pulling spinner harnesses along transition edges is producing. (Pine, Nag, Oconomowoc, Fowler, Lac Labelle).
Trout Stocked Trout fishing has still been good on many of the local lakes that got fish. The cooler weather and rain has pushed many of the fish deeper than they have been. Corn is always a bait option, but smaller minnows (crappie sized), red worms or scented plastics have been working. One person told me they caught a limit using a small gold mepps spinner.
Musky fishing reports have been slow (and scattered), but it might have more to do with the number of people fishing than the conditions of the bite. Reports suggest Pewaukee has been slow, and Okauchee is giving up a few smaller fish. Oconomowoc has been the most consistent. Gliders and bucktails have been the most productive daytime, with topwater giving up a few fish at dawn or just after the sun sets. I heard three independent people tell me that white skirt with a silver blade was the bucktail they used to catch a fish this week.
Around the area: Whitebass and Catfish are biting on the Rock River, but reports are a bit hard to come by.
See ya on the water. Be safe out there.
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Memorial Day 2019 Fishing Report
Overall, water temps are in the high 50's to low 60's in mainlake areas and to low to mid 60's in the shallower protected areas. Current areas are still flowing very fast and strong, weedgrowth is far behind normal for this time of the season. A few Mayfly hatches have started, but with the weather the way it has been, information and conditions have been a bit on the slow side. I haven't been out as much as I would like, but conditions seem to be fairly average for Memorial Day Weekend: Its going to rain alot.
Bluegills Look for fish around woods or docks in 2-8 feet of water, and be ready to move shallower as the temperatures warm up this weekend. Current areas and spawning areas (like sandy or gravel areas) will have lots of fish, as will isolated patches of weeds in 8-12 FOW. Waxworms, redworms and plastics are taking fish, but bigger gills have been hard to come by in any significant number.
(Try: Okauchee, Garvin, Golden, Nag, Middle Gen, Ashipunn, Pretty, Phantom and Lower Nashotah)
Crappie fishing has been slow, but steady since the opener. Some fish have spawned, but a few are still hanging around shallow wood and reeds in the usual areas. (You'll know which batch of fish you're on by how dark the ones you catch are.) Minnows, hooked through the tail on a small hook (#8 or #10), waxworms and plastics have all been taking fish. Although you may have to do some searching, you'll find schools of fish are in small areas, so move until you find fish, and then set-up on them. (Try: Okauchee (especially the North Flat, Bay Five and the Crane's Nest), Garvin, Kessus, Nag, Golden and Silver.
Largemouth The recent weather kept lots of people off the water. Depending on who you talk with, people are catching fish targeting them in shallow water, but a few fish are still being caught off the open areas on flats with scattered weeds. It might be hard to consistently find bigger fish, especially just ahead of the fronts that are set to come through this weekend, the action could be good in short spurts. If the sun is up, rocks will hold fish throughout the day, but you might need to move around and let fish reset on them. If you target fish on the rocks, a jig and chunk, skirted grub or smaller size crawfish imitating crankbait are the ticket.
What to throw: 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, large shiners or small suckers are your best bet. (Try: Okauchee, Pewaukee, Lake Five, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac Labelle, Kessus Nagawicka, Silver, Golden, Fox or Emily)
Smallmouth bass have been active, but are in the process of finishing the spawn. Rock structure, scattered weeds on sand and major points are all holding fish, as are areas of our local lakes that have active current. Skirted grubs, jigworms, jig and craws, tubes, and soft jerkbaits are all catching fish. Go natural with your color choices this weekend, but don't overlook a chartruese. (Try: Oconomwoc, Pine, Lac Labelle, Nags, Pewaukee, North, Lower Nashotah and the Nemahbin Lakes.)
Walleye have been active, with 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 were catching fish by working minnow baits (floating rapalas or rouges) over isolated weed clumps. This weekend should be red hot for walleyes, especially in the evenings, assuming the weather cooperates. (Try: Oconomowoc, Nag, North, Pine, (For Keepers), Lac Labelle, Pewaukee and Fox (for action))
Northern Pike fishing has picked up some and pike might be your best option for some steady action this holiday weekend with the unstable weather. Spinnerbaits, spoons, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits, or suspending jerkbaits (like size 11 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 feet, using small suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig or the largest shiner's you can find on a balloon rig around the deeper reeds in a marshy area. (Try: Okauchee, Kessus, Garvin, Nagawicka, Pine, Fowler, Emily, Hot tip: Golden!)
Musky Fishing has been slow, but 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 8-15 FOW around the transition areas of mainlake structure. Gliders, jerkbaits, swimbaits and bucktails have been productive, but many anglers continue to describe lots of lazy follows, so figure eights are required on every cast. Gold blade or orange blades with black skirt seems to be the color of the season, but chartruese/copper combos have also been catching some. (Try: Okauchee, Pewaukee, Fowler and Lac Labelle)
If you're in town for the holiday and want to talk some more specific tips, email or call me. I have time available for trips or lessons next week. (Email me here)
Have a great (and safe) holiday weekend.
CT
Thursday, May 9, 2019
Fishing Report 5-9-19
Hey gang,
I was out multiple times this week. Water temperatures vary greatly on area lakes, but most are still on the cooler side in the mid to high 50's. Water is high pretty much everywhere in the local area, so there's lots of current in areas with moving water.
Weed growth is way behind average, which means if you find can some good weeds, fish them!
Musky fishing has been slow by most reports. Lots of people reported still seeing fish finishing up the spawning rituals, and that always makes for a tough bite, but slowly and methodically working a shallow pattern can produce. Consider downsizing and trying to be as precise as possible. Oversized bass tactics can really be a great approach. (Jig and Reaper!)
Best bets: Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pewaukee, and Fowler.
Northern Pike Anglers targeting bass have been catching a number of pike ranging from smaller snakes to quality 30+" fish. 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 very active. Some fish are actively patrolling the shallows but the bulk of the fish are holding around rock 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. Should be a great weekend for fishing in the late afternoon/evenings with floating minnow bait around any mid-depth structure or weeds.
Best Bets: Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Lac Labelle, North, the Nehmabins and Fox Lake.
Largemouth Bass First wave spawning areas have fish on nests but patterning the larger females was just getting started.A couple of really nice fish came in during Tuesday night league, and I put a handful of quality 4+lb fish in the boat this week. Shallow flats outside of the spawning coves still have lots of smaller but schooling fish and remember in areas with consistent depth, not all of the nests will be on the bank 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, ned rigs, 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. Pro-Tip: Downsizing and slowing way down with my presentations put some serious fish in the boat for me this week.
Best Bets: Okauchee, Golden, Keesus, Pine, Nagawicka, Buelah, Moose, Eagle Springs.
Smallmouth Bass Fish are patrolling the shallow bars in small schools a few times a day. 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, and don't overlook fish using areas with active current.
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), look for schools on the end of sandy/gravel points in 12-15 feet of water on in shallow areas with current. 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 better sized keepers. The area between Watertown and the Jefferson Dam has been giving up fish the last few weeks, but if you're heading out, take note of the conditions and be ready for some changes.
Trout: The local lakes stocked with trout were solid producers during the first week. Opening weekend was busy, but pressure dropped way off during the week. There's lots of small schools of trout swimming around, but look for active fish running the drop offs.
Good Luck Out There.
Chris Terry
I was out multiple times this week. Water temperatures vary greatly on area lakes, but most are still on the cooler side in the mid to high 50's. Water is high pretty much everywhere in the local area, so there's lots of current in areas with moving water.
Weed growth is way behind average, which means if you find can some good weeds, fish them!
Musky fishing has been slow by most reports. Lots of people reported still seeing fish finishing up the spawning rituals, and that always makes for a tough bite, but slowly and methodically working a shallow pattern can produce. Consider downsizing and trying to be as precise as possible. Oversized bass tactics can really be a great approach. (Jig and Reaper!)
Best bets: Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pewaukee, and Fowler.
Northern Pike Anglers targeting bass have been catching a number of pike ranging from smaller snakes to quality 30+" fish. 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 very active. Some fish are actively patrolling the shallows but the bulk of the fish are holding around rock 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. Should be a great weekend for fishing in the late afternoon/evenings with floating minnow bait around any mid-depth structure or weeds.
Best Bets: Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Lac Labelle, North, the Nehmabins and Fox Lake.
Largemouth Bass First wave spawning areas have fish on nests but patterning the larger females was just getting started.A couple of really nice fish came in during Tuesday night league, and I put a handful of quality 4+lb fish in the boat this week. Shallow flats outside of the spawning coves still have lots of smaller but schooling fish and remember in areas with consistent depth, not all of the nests will be on the bank 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, ned rigs, 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. Pro-Tip: Downsizing and slowing way down with my presentations put some serious fish in the boat for me this week.
Best Bets: Okauchee, Golden, Keesus, Pine, Nagawicka, Buelah, Moose, Eagle Springs.
Smallmouth Bass Fish are patrolling the shallow bars in small schools a few times a day. 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, and don't overlook fish using areas with active current.
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), look for schools on the end of sandy/gravel points in 12-15 feet of water on in shallow areas with current. 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 better sized keepers. The area between Watertown and the Jefferson Dam has been giving up fish the last few weeks, but if you're heading out, take note of the conditions and be ready for some changes.
Trout: The local lakes stocked with trout were solid producers during the first week. Opening weekend was busy, but pressure dropped way off during the week. There's lots of small schools of trout swimming around, but look for active fish running the drop offs.
Good Luck Out There.
Chris Terry
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Opening Weekend 2019
The DNR's 2019 Season preview is available at this link.
Here's what to expect when you hit the water for the opener:
1.) Water temps in the mid 50's.
2.) Limited new growth of weeds, and less than average number of piers are in. Water is flowing in many areas.
3.) Live bait, fished slowly is going to be a great way to kick off the season. I'd fish for pike or walleye and wait until the weather stabilizes a bit if you want to target bass.
Shallow dark bottom bays will be where most of the action is on Saturday. Live bait will be a key presentation option. Targeting Musky, Pike and Walleye will be more productive than chasing bass in the morning.
Panfish: Crappies and Bluegills have started their transition into shallow water, and the bite has been steady on the sunny or warmer afternoons. Primary pattern working for keepers is to find the schools that are relating to weed clumps in shallow water.
Newer, green weeds, reeds or small wood laydowns are attracting the most fish right now. For crappies try small fuzzy jigs tipped with waxworms, or a hook and float combo with small fatheads or rosie reds. Bluegills have been biting on plastics tipped with waxworms or spikes, as well as redworms, leafworms or pieces of nightcrawler. If the bite is tough, downsize your presentation to an ice fishing jig or #10 or #12 red hook, and keep the bait above the fish (this is key for a tough bite!)
Hot tip: Sunken trees and cribs in deeper water that is close to a shallow drop will holder better size fish right now.
Best Lakes For Panfish: Ashippun, Silver, Kessus, Golden, the Genessee lakes, Lake Five, Okauchee (Bay Five, the Channel, Icehouse and Stumpy Bay), Garvin and the Nehmabins.
Trout: Stocked trout fishing is always very popular for opening weekend. (Complete List Here)
Stocked trout are easy to catch before too much pressure gets put on them. Watch for them swimming in groups just below the surface and cast ahead of them. They'll hit a variety of tackle/bait options but the use of gold really will help. I typically use a gold ice fishing jig with live bait under a small balsa bobber.
Locally:
Bass: Largemouth are in an early prespawn pattern. Small schools of them are chasing baitfish in the shallow water. For the best action look for LM to be along the first drop offs or at the edges of shallow bays. Later in the day they may move to the backs of spawning coves. Lindy or split shot rigs with nightcrawlers or suspending large shiners under slip bobbers are your best live bait options. Texas rigged plastic lizards, wacky worms, neko or ned rigs and jigs with a chunk trailer will be good options if fished very slowly. Slow rolling spinnerbaits or ripping rattletraps around weedy cover could produce some reaction strikes, but it never hurts to have natural pattern floating minnowbait (like a number 9 or 11 rapala) to twitch on the surface near roaming fish.
Best lakes for largemouth: Okauchee, Silver, Nagawicka, Golden, Pine, Pewaukee, Moose, Kessus, Pretty.
Smallmouth remain in deeper water for the most part, although a few have been seen making foraging runs into rocky areas during the middle part of the day. Look for them to be suspended in the water column in deep water near points and other rocky structure. Suspending Jerkbaits, swimbaits, slow rolled spinnerbaits or twister tail grubs in natural pattern are good options for chasing suspended smallmouths. If you can find some fish on the rocks, lindy rigging with leeches or nightcrawlers or grubs on a mushroom head, wacky or ned rigs should do the trick.
Best lakes for smallmouth: North, Lower Nehmabin, Oconomowoc, Nagawicka. Pine, Lac La Belle.
Note: There's an Anglers Choice Tournament on Okauchee on Sunday.
Walleyes are roaming shallow flats chasing baitfish. This indicates typical post-spawn behavior patterns, which matches the water temperatures on our local lakes. Bottom bouncers with spinner harnesses, lindy rigs and jigs will all catch these fish, but don't overlook the classic spring pattern of hitting rocks with the lip of a number 5 or 7 shad rap. Look for walleyes to relate the edges of shallow water, but especially at the junctions of rock/sand transitions.
Best lakes for walleye: Lac La Belle, Pewaukee, Pine and Oconomowoc. A few fish are still being caught on the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. Note: Each lake in our area has different regulations for walleye size/bag limits...make sure you know what's what for where you are fishing.
Northern: Pike are past their post spawn blues and are feeding aggressively. Typically with these conditions small pike will be all over shallow water and you can expect the big pike to be relating to the first break. This is prime time to chase pike with live bait. Use slip bobbers and suspend large shiners and suckers around weed edges or near areas with visible panfish. Casting with lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, spooms or spinner baits, especially around shallow weeds on he edge of the sandy flat areas can be dynamite. Remember the best color for pike has always been red/white, but if the sun gets out, flash and shiny can draw some big strikes.
Best lakes for pike: Forest, Emily, Kessus, Moose, Golden, Nagawicka, Fowler, Lower Gennessee, Okauchee.
Musky: The fish that seem to be chasing active baitfish are relating to green weed growth in mid-depth water. You never lose out by floating a sucker or the largest shiners you can buy. If casting I'd downsize my presentation, stick to jerkbaits, gliders, smaller bucktails or oversized bass squarebills like a Manns 1 minus or Megabass Grenade for the opener this year, and concentrate your efforts on any scattered weed clumps you can find. Advice from me: Slow down, be methodical when working an area and be ready to make lots of casts to get neutral fish to bite.
Best lakes for musky: Pewaukee, Lac La Belle, Fowler, Okauchee, Garvin and Oconomowoc.
Don't forget about the new DNR Catch and Release Record Program
I have openings for guide trips or fishing lessons during May. Email me for more information.
Be safe out there. I'll see you on the water.
Cheers,
CT
Getting ready: Need bait, equipment, or a fishing license? Do yourself a favor and buy from one of the locals.
Musky Mikes (Okauchee)
Dick Smith's (Delafield)
Smokey's (Pewaukee)
Other Useful Links
Local Fishing Reports from Lake-Link.com
Becky Smith's handy list of shorefishing locations, boat ramps and boat rentals is online at at www.Dicksmithslivebait.com
The DNR maintains a database of printable lake maps online.
There's also a easy to use reference to find boat launches at the DNR Website.
Need some help with the boat? Try these guys:
Hey Lake Country! Are you sick of never getting your boat on time? Tired of getting over charged by the big guys? Well do I have the solution for you...Lake Country Recreation has your sale and service needs. Lake Country Recreation is the best and only mobile marine in Lake Country area! With over 20 years of service experience Lake Country Recreation can help you with all aspects of marine repair at a fair price! So if you need help don’t hesitate to contact Lake Country Recreation! Ask for Jeff or Jimmy 262-370-5168 Happy Boating!
---------
Taking a Kid Fishing this weekend? The DNR Suggests these spots:
Ashippun Lake Park
Location: In Oconomowoc, WI. Take Capitol Drive west to State Highway 16, go west on 16 to County Highway P, then take P north to County Highway K, go west on K to McMahon Road. Watch for "public access" sign.
Notes: Run by Waukesha County Parks. Park has picnic area, restrooms and shorefishing.
Denoon Lake
Location: Located on Crowbar Drive, south of Kelsey Drive. Go west from Highway Y.
Notes: Public park with ballfields, restrooms, picnic area and boat launch. Not much shorefishing, due to marshy area near shore.
Lac La Belle
Location: At the Fowler Lake Dam, on Highway 67, one-quarter mile north of State Highway 16 in the Oconomowoc, WI. Located just northeast of the beach and park on Lac La Belle. The beach and park are on Highway 16, just west of Highway 67.
Notes: Disabled accessible public fishing pier.
Little Muskego Lake
Location: Access from Idle Isle Park in Muskego, WI on the northeast side of Little Muskego Lake. Take Martin Drive to Hardtke Drive to the park.
Note: Idle Isle Park has a beach, picnic area, restrooms, accessible public fishing pier and boat launch.
Lower Phantom Lake
Location: In Phantom Glen Park in Mukwonago, WI. Take County Highway ES (Main Street) to Andrews Street, then go west into the park.
Notes: Public park with picnic area, restrooms, disabled accessible public fishing pier and boat ramp.
McKeaun Springs
Location: Trout pond located on the west side of Highway 67, between Piper Road and Road X. About 3 miles north of Eagle, WI.
Notes: No facilities, but there is a picnic area with restrooms just a short distance to the south. DNR manages as a children's trout fishing pond. Although it is officially category 3 (3 bag and 9 inch length), there is a voluntary regulation for adults to catch and release, and kids are allowed to keep one trout of any size. Designed to encourage adults to take kids out and teach them to trout fish.
Nagawicka Lake
Location: In Nagawaukee County Park. Take County Highway C, three-quarters of a mile north of Interstate 94 in Delafield, WI.
Notes: Public beach, picnic area, restrooms and concessions, camping, shorefishing and boat launch.
Nemahbin Lakes, Upper and Lower
Location: Southeast of Oconomowoc, WI, off of County Highway DR.
Notes: County owned access on frontage road between the two lakes, Highway DR. shorefishing on Upper Nemahbin from the road right-of-way. DNR owned carry-in site on Lower Nemahbin off Sugar Island Road.
Pewaukee Lake
Location: Village park in downtown Pewaukee, WI.
Notes: Public park with beach and public fishing pier. Can also access Pewaukee River just below the dam. On Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Pewaukee. Boat launch and shorefishing from county park and boat ramp at the west end, on Highway E.
---------------------
Local Shore Fishing Locations
Moose Lake: Shore and pier fishing is available at the Moose Lake Public Launch area. This launch has a nice park like area 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.
Upper Genessee: Carry in boats and shore fishing are available. Parking is in a small gravel lot, just south of I-94, on the east side of HWY 67.
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.
Here's what to expect when you hit the water for the opener:
1.) Water temps in the mid 50's.
2.) Limited new growth of weeds, and less than average number of piers are in. Water is flowing in many areas.
3.) Live bait, fished slowly is going to be a great way to kick off the season. I'd fish for pike or walleye and wait until the weather stabilizes a bit if you want to target bass.
Shallow dark bottom bays will be where most of the action is on Saturday. Live bait will be a key presentation option. Targeting Musky, Pike and Walleye will be more productive than chasing bass in the morning.
Panfish: Crappies and Bluegills have started their transition into shallow water, and the bite has been steady on the sunny or warmer afternoons. Primary pattern working for keepers is to find the schools that are relating to weed clumps in shallow water.
Newer, green weeds, reeds or small wood laydowns are attracting the most fish right now. For crappies try small fuzzy jigs tipped with waxworms, or a hook and float combo with small fatheads or rosie reds. Bluegills have been biting on plastics tipped with waxworms or spikes, as well as redworms, leafworms or pieces of nightcrawler. If the bite is tough, downsize your presentation to an ice fishing jig or #10 or #12 red hook, and keep the bait above the fish (this is key for a tough bite!)
Hot tip: Sunken trees and cribs in deeper water that is close to a shallow drop will holder better size fish right now.
Best Lakes For Panfish: Ashippun, Silver, Kessus, Golden, the Genessee lakes, Lake Five, Okauchee (Bay Five, the Channel, Icehouse and Stumpy Bay), Garvin and the Nehmabins.
Trout: Stocked trout fishing is always very popular for opening weekend. (Complete List Here)
Stocked trout are easy to catch before too much pressure gets put on them. Watch for them swimming in groups just below the surface and cast ahead of them. They'll hit a variety of tackle/bait options but the use of gold really will help. I typically use a gold ice fishing jig with live bait under a small balsa bobber.
Locally:
Bass: Largemouth are in an early prespawn pattern. Small schools of them are chasing baitfish in the shallow water. For the best action look for LM to be along the first drop offs or at the edges of shallow bays. Later in the day they may move to the backs of spawning coves. Lindy or split shot rigs with nightcrawlers or suspending large shiners under slip bobbers are your best live bait options. Texas rigged plastic lizards, wacky worms, neko or ned rigs and jigs with a chunk trailer will be good options if fished very slowly. Slow rolling spinnerbaits or ripping rattletraps around weedy cover could produce some reaction strikes, but it never hurts to have natural pattern floating minnowbait (like a number 9 or 11 rapala) to twitch on the surface near roaming fish.
Best lakes for largemouth: Okauchee, Silver, Nagawicka, Golden, Pine, Pewaukee, Moose, Kessus, Pretty.
Smallmouth remain in deeper water for the most part, although a few have been seen making foraging runs into rocky areas during the middle part of the day. Look for them to be suspended in the water column in deep water near points and other rocky structure. Suspending Jerkbaits, swimbaits, slow rolled spinnerbaits or twister tail grubs in natural pattern are good options for chasing suspended smallmouths. If you can find some fish on the rocks, lindy rigging with leeches or nightcrawlers or grubs on a mushroom head, wacky or ned rigs should do the trick.
Best lakes for smallmouth: North, Lower Nehmabin, Oconomowoc, Nagawicka. Pine, Lac La Belle.
Note: There's an Anglers Choice Tournament on Okauchee on Sunday.
Walleyes are roaming shallow flats chasing baitfish. This indicates typical post-spawn behavior patterns, which matches the water temperatures on our local lakes. Bottom bouncers with spinner harnesses, lindy rigs and jigs will all catch these fish, but don't overlook the classic spring pattern of hitting rocks with the lip of a number 5 or 7 shad rap. Look for walleyes to relate the edges of shallow water, but especially at the junctions of rock/sand transitions.
Best lakes for walleye: Lac La Belle, Pewaukee, Pine and Oconomowoc. A few fish are still being caught on the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. Note: Each lake in our area has different regulations for walleye size/bag limits...make sure you know what's what for where you are fishing.
Northern: Pike are past their post spawn blues and are feeding aggressively. Typically with these conditions small pike will be all over shallow water and you can expect the big pike to be relating to the first break. This is prime time to chase pike with live bait. Use slip bobbers and suspend large shiners and suckers around weed edges or near areas with visible panfish. Casting with lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits, spooms or spinner baits, especially around shallow weeds on he edge of the sandy flat areas can be dynamite. Remember the best color for pike has always been red/white, but if the sun gets out, flash and shiny can draw some big strikes.
Best lakes for pike: Forest, Emily, Kessus, Moose, Golden, Nagawicka, Fowler, Lower Gennessee, Okauchee.
Musky: The fish that seem to be chasing active baitfish are relating to green weed growth in mid-depth water. You never lose out by floating a sucker or the largest shiners you can buy. If casting I'd downsize my presentation, stick to jerkbaits, gliders, smaller bucktails or oversized bass squarebills like a Manns 1 minus or Megabass Grenade for the opener this year, and concentrate your efforts on any scattered weed clumps you can find. Advice from me: Slow down, be methodical when working an area and be ready to make lots of casts to get neutral fish to bite.
Best lakes for musky: Pewaukee, Lac La Belle, Fowler, Okauchee, Garvin and Oconomowoc.
Don't forget about the new DNR Catch and Release Record Program
I have openings for guide trips or fishing lessons during May. Email me for more information.
Be safe out there. I'll see you on the water.
Cheers,
CT
Getting ready: Need bait, equipment, or a fishing license? Do yourself a favor and buy from one of the locals.
Musky Mikes (Okauchee)
Dick Smith's (Delafield)
Smokey's (Pewaukee)
Other Useful Links
Local Fishing Reports from Lake-Link.com
Becky Smith's handy list of shorefishing locations, boat ramps and boat rentals is online at at www.Dicksmithslivebait.com
The DNR maintains a database of printable lake maps online.
There's also a easy to use reference to find boat launches at the DNR Website.
Need some help with the boat? Try these guys:
Hey Lake Country! Are you sick of never getting your boat on time? Tired of getting over charged by the big guys? Well do I have the solution for you...Lake Country Recreation has your sale and service needs. Lake Country Recreation is the best and only mobile marine in Lake Country area! With over 20 years of service experience Lake Country Recreation can help you with all aspects of marine repair at a fair price! So if you need help don’t hesitate to contact Lake Country Recreation! Ask for Jeff or Jimmy 262-370-5168 Happy Boating!
---------
Taking a Kid Fishing this weekend? The DNR Suggests these spots:
Ashippun Lake Park
Location: In Oconomowoc, WI. Take Capitol Drive west to State Highway 16, go west on 16 to County Highway P, then take P north to County Highway K, go west on K to McMahon Road. Watch for "public access" sign.
Notes: Run by Waukesha County Parks. Park has picnic area, restrooms and shorefishing.
Denoon Lake
Location: Located on Crowbar Drive, south of Kelsey Drive. Go west from Highway Y.
Notes: Public park with ballfields, restrooms, picnic area and boat launch. Not much shorefishing, due to marshy area near shore.
Lac La Belle
Location: At the Fowler Lake Dam, on Highway 67, one-quarter mile north of State Highway 16 in the Oconomowoc, WI. Located just northeast of the beach and park on Lac La Belle. The beach and park are on Highway 16, just west of Highway 67.
Notes: Disabled accessible public fishing pier.
Little Muskego Lake
Location: Access from Idle Isle Park in Muskego, WI on the northeast side of Little Muskego Lake. Take Martin Drive to Hardtke Drive to the park.
Note: Idle Isle Park has a beach, picnic area, restrooms, accessible public fishing pier and boat launch.
Lower Phantom Lake
Location: In Phantom Glen Park in Mukwonago, WI. Take County Highway ES (Main Street) to Andrews Street, then go west into the park.
Notes: Public park with picnic area, restrooms, disabled accessible public fishing pier and boat ramp.
McKeaun Springs
Location: Trout pond located on the west side of Highway 67, between Piper Road and Road X. About 3 miles north of Eagle, WI.
Notes: No facilities, but there is a picnic area with restrooms just a short distance to the south. DNR manages as a children's trout fishing pond. Although it is officially category 3 (3 bag and 9 inch length), there is a voluntary regulation for adults to catch and release, and kids are allowed to keep one trout of any size. Designed to encourage adults to take kids out and teach them to trout fish.
Nagawicka Lake
Location: In Nagawaukee County Park. Take County Highway C, three-quarters of a mile north of Interstate 94 in Delafield, WI.
Notes: Public beach, picnic area, restrooms and concessions, camping, shorefishing and boat launch.
Nemahbin Lakes, Upper and Lower
Location: Southeast of Oconomowoc, WI, off of County Highway DR.
Notes: County owned access on frontage road between the two lakes, Highway DR. shorefishing on Upper Nemahbin from the road right-of-way. DNR owned carry-in site on Lower Nemahbin off Sugar Island Road.
Pewaukee Lake
Location: Village park in downtown Pewaukee, WI.
Notes: Public park with beach and public fishing pier. Can also access Pewaukee River just below the dam. On Wisconsin Avenue in downtown Pewaukee. Boat launch and shorefishing from county park and boat ramp at the west end, on Highway E.
---------------------
Local Shore Fishing Locations
Moose Lake: Shore and pier fishing is available at the Moose Lake Public Launch area. This launch has a nice park like area 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.
Upper Genessee: Carry in boats and shore fishing are available. Parking is in a small gravel lot, just south of I-94, on the east side of HWY 67.
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.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Need a boat mechanic?
Everyone,
At some, time, at some place, for some reason...every boat needs a good fix. There is no one I can recommend more than my good friend Jeff.
I just learned he's gone independent after working for the local marina industry for more than 20 years. He has taken care of my engine needs for at least that long, has a quick turnaround and as a bonus he's a straight shooting stand up guy who is also a veteran.
414-370-5168 is the number for he and his partner. You won't be sorry for using them, and from the sound of it, it looks like they are willing to make house calls if your problem is on the lift behind your house.
Cheers,
CT
PS. Tell em I sent you to them, you won't get a special deal or anything, but I'm sure they will take care of you.
At some, time, at some place, for some reason...every boat needs a good fix. There is no one I can recommend more than my good friend Jeff.
I just learned he's gone independent after working for the local marina industry for more than 20 years. He has taken care of my engine needs for at least that long, has a quick turnaround and as a bonus he's a straight shooting stand up guy who is also a veteran.
414-370-5168 is the number for he and his partner. You won't be sorry for using them, and from the sound of it, it looks like they are willing to make house calls if your problem is on the lift behind your house.
Cheers,
CT
PS. Tell em I sent you to them, you won't get a special deal or anything, but I'm sure they will take care of you.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Back at it (3-31-19)
Hey gang, been awhile.
Area lakes are open, and the early crappie bite is in its infancy. Look for them in protected bays, boat channels or along North facing shorelines, especially in areas with a dark bottom, wood laydowns or adjacent to flowing current.
Rivers are open and getting started, but there's high water conditions on the Rock and in the Dells. Fish are also being caught at De pere, but it is early in every spot.
I have just 4 weeks left of teaching for the semester in Minnesota, and then I will be back full time and regular posting will begin again.
Last thing for today: Don't miss the Lunkers Unlimited Swap Meet This Thursday:
Area lakes are open, and the early crappie bite is in its infancy. Look for them in protected bays, boat channels or along North facing shorelines, especially in areas with a dark bottom, wood laydowns or adjacent to flowing current.
Rivers are open and getting started, but there's high water conditions on the Rock and in the Dells. Fish are also being caught at De pere, but it is early in every spot.
I have just 4 weeks left of teaching for the semester in Minnesota, and then I will be back full time and regular posting will begin again.
Last thing for today: Don't miss the Lunkers Unlimited Swap Meet This Thursday:
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