Fishing Report 5-11-17

Hey gang,

I was out multiple times this week. Water temperatures vary greatly between main lake areas (in the 50's to low 60's) and protected bays (in the mid 60's) on area lakes. Water is high pretty much everywhere in the local area, so there's lots of current in areas with moving water. The big news is that 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 anglers are working a shallow pattern. Look for fish on the shallow weed flats in 6-10 feet of water. Scattered weedclumps with visible baitfish or panfish are high percentage areas right now. A few fish may be using the first deep break in 12-18 feet of water in areas where some new green weeds have started. Most positive reports I heard back this week were with people using downsized baits, but heard reports of plenty of lazy follows--so watch those figure eights closely.

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

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

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

Walleye have been active. Some fish are patrolling the shallows in the morning and evening hours, but the bulk of the fish are holding around rocky points and mid-depth weeds in 8-12 feet of water. Crankbaits like rapala shad raps are catching fish, but controlled drifting with live bait has been the best approach. Slow and steady have been the operative words. A nightcrawler, leech or small sucker on a lindy rig or long lined split shot setup have been the most consistent producers. A few fish are being caught around weeds using jig and plastic or jig and minnow combinations. Should be a great weekend for fishing in the 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 inconsistent. 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. Saw lots of people beating banks when there were active fish on the flats nearby. Look for bass around shallow weeds, wood laydowns or docks. Rocky areas, especially points adjacent to deep water have been holding the most fish. Wacky worms, texas rigged lizards or stickbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jigs with a chunk or craw trailer have all been producing. Nightcralwers or large leeches on a lindy or split shot rig or large shiners under floats fished around piers or along rockbars have been catching a few nice fish. Pro-Tip: Downsizing put some quality 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 schoola a few times a day, especially on the warmer sunny days. Lots of fish are suspending in deeper water just off of shallow structure. Rocky/sand transition areas have been holding some fish who are foraging for craws. Suspending jerkbaits, tubes, wacky worms, swimbaits and lipless crankbaits in a crawfish pattern have all caught fish.

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

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

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

Bluegills are beginning to move into the shallow water on many area lakes, but the better sized fish have still been coming from anglers targeting them in a little deeper water. Shallow fish will be near sandy bottom areas with scattered weed growth, but if you just want the kids to catch a few fish, try fishing around any piers that are in the water adjacent to deeper water (6-10 feet). If you want to target eating size gills, tightline vertically while drifting along weedlines in deeper water (as deep as 22 feet), 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, note that the water is still pretty high and fast on the river.

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 weekedays. There's lots of small schools of trout swimming around, but the fish that were biting (for me) were running the drop offs. Gold ice fishing jigs tipped with live bait was the best option when I was on the water, but the fish were still a little spooky, and we did better tightlining than with bobbers.


Good Luck Out There.
Chris Terry

2017 Gamefish Season Preview

Here's what to expect when you hit the water for the opener.

1.) Water temps in the low to mid 50's. Nighttime temperatures will dictate most of what happens next weekend.

2.) Limited new growth of weeds, and very few piers are in. Water is high 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. Sunday's weather looks a little better, and if the sun comes out, the later afternoon bite could really pick up.

My post on local highlights of the 2017 DNR fishing preview is here. There's information on several local lakes and includes picks for panfish, bass, walleye and musky fishing opportunities this year.

Panfish: Crappies and Bluegills have transitioned 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, 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 Buelah, 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. Here's a an earlier post on the stocking of our local lakes and the complete DNR list is available 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.

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 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.

Best lakes for largemouth: Okauchee, Silver, Nagawicka, Golden, Pine, Pewaukee, Moose, Kessus, Pretty and School Section.

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 should do the trick.

Best lakes for smallmouth: North, Lower Nehmabin, Oconomowoc, Nagawicka. Pine, Lac La Belle.

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. I'd consider using a mix of live bait in the form of nightcrawlers, leeches and small suckers. Look for walleyes to relate the edges of shallow water, but especially at the junctions of rock/sand transitions. I'd run live bait rigs to find fish, then fish an active area hard with crankbaits like a Shad Raps or Frenzies, husky jerks or floating rapalas.

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 is red/white.

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. I'd downsize my presentation, stick to jerkbaits, gliders or smaller bucktails 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

2017 Tournament Schedule

Here's a running list of tournaments on our local area lakes for this season. I'll update this as I get more information but it is current as of 4-30-17.


Local Weeklies:

Okauchee: Tuesdays (Musky Mikes Big Bass League) and
Thursdays (Foolery's Big Bass)

Tuesday Nights: TNT Trail (Pewaukee or Nagawicka)
Info/Dates: Here.

Thursday Night Opens: Rotate between Pewaukee, Nagawicka and Okauchee
Info at Dick Smith's Shop Page

Thursdays: MCW Musky League (Must be a club member)

High Five (Looks like a kid's tournament)
May 6th Pewaukee (DNR Info here)


Angler's Choice (SE Wisconsin Division)

May 21 -Pewaukee
June 11 -Okauchee
July 30 -Rock Lake
August 20 -Nagawicka
September 17 Okauchee
October 8 Pewaukee

Kayak Bass League Green Event

July 9 - Oconomowoc

Great Lakes Kayak Series Bass
August 5 - Pewaukee


Lunker's Unlimited
August 5 - Pewaukee


South East Wisconsin Open

June 17 -Pewaukee


West Suburban Bass Anglers

August 12 - Oconomowoc

WABTA (WBTA.org)

May 13 - Okauchee Lake

June 3 - Okauchee Lake (Note: Also a Quad-graphics tournament the same day.)

June 10 - Pewaukee Lake 

July 8 - Nagawicka Lake

August 6 - Pewaukee Lake

Fishing Report 4-28-17

Water temps are in the low to mid 50's. Rain, rain and rain with a side of rain has been on the menu special this past run. The days, especially the afternoons, have stayed cool and cloudy, and as a result, the water is not warming up quickly.

To rate it: fishing is at least average for this time of year, but not a drop more.

Crappies are active in the usual early spots. Look for them in shallow, protected areas with a north bank. Dark bottom areas with green weeds are especially good right now, but sandy areas near reeds will also produce. Small minnows, tail hooked, and suspended under a bobber is the best way to catch crappies, but if the bite is tough, don't overlook waxworms on an icefishing jig or a small #10 or #12 red hook.

Bluegills are starting to move in. Look for shallow, dark bottom bays with scattered weeds, woods or reeds. The fish may be very tight to shore. In areas with current, look for schools of fish in deeper holes and outside turns, even if these areas are very small. Remember the largest panfish will always be in the bottom of the school, so if you're catching fish, but they are small, try getting your bait a little deeper. Bluegills will hit on a variety of live bait, including redworms, waxworms and spikes. For active bluegills, plastics will outperform live bait, and will usually help keep some of the smaller fish off your line.

Walleyes and some cats continue to bite on the Rock River in Jefferson. Fish are still being taken from shellbeds, rockpiles and in the channel swings. Three way rigs with live bait on a fly or casting with heavy jigs and plastics have both been producing, but spinners and small rattletraps are really working in some of the flooded creek inlets. White bass are in their spring run. Look for them at the mouths of feeder creeks or up the Crawfish and Bark Rivers. If you're on the main river, you may find some schools holding over shelves in slack water. The fish should be getting ready to make the transition out to the lake soon, so this is likely your last chance to head down there for some river action. Note: the water in the river is high, fast and dirty...keep that in mind.

Gamefish opener is right around the corner, but the cooler weather has slowed the fishing down. Check back later this week for my annual gamefish opener post. You can sign up for my fishing reports and have them delivered via email, as well as follow this blog. The links are in the column to the right.

I have some openings in May, if you're interested in getting out...just email me

Fishing Report 4-21-17

Hey gang,

Water temps are solid in the low to mid 50's on our area lakes. Warm water is where it is at for panfishing right now.

Panfish are starting to make a move into the traditional shallow water areas on area lakes.  Sunny afternoons with a south or southwest wind will provide the best action until main lake areas catch up. Remember: North facing areas will be warmer, and fish tend to congregate in these areas early on. Current, in the form of a creek channel, or river area will help as well.

For now, focus on the green weeds in shallow protected bays with a northern bank. Concentrate your efforts on the patches of weeds, using live bait suspended under a bobber. Keep your bait just above the weeds, and any visible fish that you see. I like to use waxworms or spikes on a small red hook, or small/crappie sized fatheads-hooked in the tail, underneath a pencil bobber with just a split shot or two to keep the bait down. Be ready to start using plastics, especially for active fish, but for now, I'd start with the live bait and move to plastics later in the day.

Be ready to sort through smaller fish to get keepers, but understand that there's some quality keepers to be had very shallow right now. Current, green weeds or reeds and shallow submerged wood are great places to start.

Here's Quinn with one we got before we stocked muskies yesterday.

Also, since the blog started back up, I've had a few requests for Lake Michigan information to be included. Probably bears mention that I only rarely fish the big pond, but the DNR Lake Michigan Report is here if you're looking for information.

Check out our post on the MCW musky stocking on Okauchee. I'll be back next week with an update for the week, and watch for my annual pre-opening day post with lots of resources and up to date scouting on conditions.

Great to be back. Looking forward to another season with you.

Cheers,
CT

Okauchee Musky Stocking by MCW

Yesterday I participated in a musky stocking event on Okauchee Lake supported by Muskellunge Club of Wisconsin. (Club's website is here)

MCW has been increasingly involved in stocking efforts, and has even partnered with other clubs to raise funding for stocking efforts in our area. Efforts have centered on Pewaukee and Okauchee in previous years, but notably, fish stocked in Okauchee have the opportunity to spread from North and Cornell lakes, throughout Okauchee and Garvin, into Oconomowoc, Fowler and Lac Labelle. 

Volunteers and Club Members met at the Okauchee Public Launch, where a pen was built on one of the ramps. Fish were moved from the hatchery truck into the pen, given a chance to acclimate to the lake water, then distributed in small batches to waiting boats to be distributed throughout the Okauchee Lake Basin.

Notably this stocking effort was for extended growth, yearling fish, which have a higher survival rate than fingerlings. We measured a few of the ones we released from my boat and we had fish ranging from 10-16 inches long.

Here was a batch of the 32 fish we put into my livewell that we took out and released from my boat.

My son Shannon helps me to put fish out yesterday. I wonder if someday he might catch this fish as an adult.

 Efforts like these help to provide a future for our local lakes. Proud to be a part of the future of fishing.

DNR Story on Trout Stocking This Year

I already put out the numbers for local trout stocking in this post.

But here's a piece from the DNR on the stocking I thought you might find interesting: Link Here

MADISON -- Anglers of all ages will soon have many more reasons to get excited about the upcoming inland fishing season opener on May 6 thanks to efforts by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to stock "catchable" trout in locally accessible lakes, ponds and streams.

For 2017, more than 650,000 trout including adult broodstock, yearlings and large fingerlings are being stocked in more than 300 inland waters statewide. In all, some 240,000 rainbow trout, 221,000 brook trout and 198,000 brown trout will be delivered before the inland season opener on the first Saturday in May.

Fishing Report 4-15-17

 Got out for a bit this afternoon with my daughters. Wanted to get a report up based on the time on the water plus the reports I am getting in.

Locally water temps range from the mid 40's to mid 50's. On several lakes the water is hovering in the low 50's in the early warming bays.

Some panfish have moved shallow, but most of the shallow fish are early stagers (smaller). We found better fish off the first break. Now here was the little secret of the day...it didn't matter what depth that break was at, the fish were just suspended right at the edge of the first break. This is very typical of early season panfish before they move into the shallows.

Look for edges for bigger fish. Warm afternoons will really move fish into protected, dark bottom areas....shallow bays, boat channels, north facing shorelines. If you're having trouble, downsize your presentation. A small hook and a wax worm or spike can really produce when nothing else will.

The river runs are also doing good. The Rock River still has active walleyes and saugers, and some whitebass are starting to come in. Depere is close to peak, and fish are moving in the Dells, at Winneconne and Eureka.

Talk to you next week.

CT

New Catch and Release Program from the DNR

From the press release.

-----

MADISON -- Dedicated catch and release anglers know there's little that equals the joy of releasing a healthy musky, northern pike or even a walleye with the hope that it will spawn again and perhaps provide excitement for another angler.

But what if the fish is really big - possibly one for the record books?

A new live release record fish program being rolled out by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources aims to end the dilemma and provide anglers with the win-win satisfaction of achieving a state record and a successful live release. The new program is part of a larger effort to promote quality fishing and encourage the careful release of trophy-size popular sport species. Similar efforts have found success in other states and among some national record-keeping organizations.

"As anglers, part of what we enjoy is the thrill of the unknown - the thought that the fish on the end of our lines could be a trophy catch or even a new record," said Justine Hasz, DNR fisheries bureau director. "What we've seen with musky populations in areas where there is a strong catch and release ethic is that the fish are reaching larger sizes and providing more anglers with the experience of a lifetime. Since it can take 10 years or more for walleye to reach trophy size and 15 years or more for musky, our new catch and release record option means Wisconsin's legendary fish will create even more memories."

Hasz said the program also is expected to increase public awareness and encourage protection of fisheries habitat. Efforts to market the new program are expected to draw more non-resident anglers into the state and improve retention among anglers who participate only sporadically.

It's also hoped that the new format will attract younger anglers, who may be quick on the draw with cell phone cameras and able to quickly land, measure and photograph their fish, said Karl Scheidegger, DNR fisheries biologist and state record fish coordinator. When it's officially rolled out on May 6, here's how the program will work:

• After landing the fish, take clear, color, side view photographs. Take several photos from different angles.
• One photo must clearly show the fish lying on its side with a ruler or other measuring device placed beside the fish with the length number clearly visible. Get close enough so that the image fills the frame. Another photo must show the angler with the fish.
• DNR fisheries biologists will identify the species from the photographs submitted with the application. If the biologists are unable to make a conclusive identification from the photographs, the record claim will not be considered.
• While it's desirable to have witnesses to the capture of live release fish entries, the program is honor-based and witnesses are not mandatory. Fish survival is the highest priority.
• Fish must be caught by legal angling methods and released in good condition back into the same water.
• Anglers are encouraged to keep the fish in the water as much as possible prior to the release. Do not hang the fish on a stringer. Gently place it back in the water and revive it by holding it upright in the water and moving it back and forth to forcing water through its gills.
• Applications will be available in time for the Wisconsin fishing opener on May 5 by visiting DNR.wi.gov and searching "Live Release."
• The forms for live release record certification must be either completed online or submitted to: Live Release Record Fish, Bureau of Fisheries Management, 101 S. Webster St., P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707-7921 within 30 days of catch.
• Live release records will be recognized by length only. Fish records will be determined by total length measured to the nearest 1/4 inch and to be certified, new live release records must exceed the existing record by at least 1/4 inch.

2017 Trout Stockings

The list is out for this year: Read the entire list here.

In our area:


FOWLER LAKE

• BROWN TROUT YEARLING 1,537  
• RAINBOW TROUT YEARLING 1,414

LOWER GENESEE LAKE 

• BROOK TROUT YEARLING 1,048  
• BROWN TROUT YEARLING 1,537  
• RAINBOW TROUT YEARLING 1,414 

LOWER NASHOTAH LAKE 

• BROWN TROUT YEARLING 2,049 
• RAINBOW TROUT YEARLING 1,414

OTTAWA LAKE 

• BROWN TROUT YEARLING 1,025  
• RAINBOW TROUT YEARLING 942

The place to be for shore fishing though:

LANNON COUNTY PARK POND 

• RAINBOW TROUT YEARLING 3,500

Lunkers Garage Sale

I'm not going to be there this year, but I wanted to make sure you knew about the Lunkers Unlimited Garage Sale.

This is a fantastic annual event, and a great place to score some deals.

More information from Lunkers at the club website.

Fishing Report 4-1-17

No, not an April Fools post, just a quick check in.

The walleyes are moving in on the Rock River. Blackhawk (the mouth ) has been the best spot, but pods of fish are moving up as we speak. If the weather stays stable and we don't lose too much temperature at night, schools of whitebass will be on there way.

On the local lakes, some fish have started to make a spring transition. The water is still very cold, but shallow, dark bottom areas are starting to see some active panfish, especially in the warmer afternoons. You need to finesse these fish to get consistent bites, #10 or #12 red hook with a waxie or spike can get them going.

Stay tuned, sure to get good in the next two weeks.

Looking ahead to this season

Hello.

Glad to know a few of you are still hanging around.

As longtime readers know, I am a professor and this past August my teaching post moved from UW-Milwaukee to the University of Minnesota. It has kept me partially "out of the game" especially locally for a bit. Since I started posting again, I've had several inquiries about the future of these fishing reports and my availability for guiding.

So here's the score.

Regular weekly fishing reports, collated from my own on the water time as well as network of connections will return in April. Starting April 14th I will have limited weekend (Friday, Saturday Sunday) availability for guided trips or fishing lessons. After the gamefish opener on May 6th, I will have full time openings for multi-species guided trips or fishing lessons.

As I wasn't sure what my plans were likely to be, I haven't booked many trips for this upcoming season as of yet. (Essentially all I have on the calendar are charity trips) I'll pass this on to you.... Book a trip between now and May 1st for an open date and I'll knock 10% off the going rate.

Email me here for more information

2017 Wisconsin DNR Fishing Report-Local Highlights

The 2017 DNR Fishing Preview is out.

You can read the entire report here.

I've pulled some images out for the local highlights:

Walleye:

 Musky:

 Largemouth Bass:

 Panfish:

 Trout:

Fishing Report 3-9-17

Spring runs are in their early stages, but they are definitely gearing up.

River fishing is in a very early stage, but steady positive reports are starting to trickle in. Sounds like there's fish being caught in the usual spots up north, Oshkosh, at Fremont and at Depere. The reports from the Dells have been more consistent, but I'm hearing some scattered reports from the Rock River as well. The mouth of the river at Blackhawk has been very active, especially during prime feeding windows.

As always: Here's a list of great resources on Rock River conditions in a post from a couple weeks back. Always give it a once over before heading down.

A side note: When Musky Mike was alive, he and I would talk frequently about annual fishing patterns, and things to watch for. It is a conversation I have had many times with some of the best fisherman I have met through the years.

Texas bass fishing legend Jackie Walker taught me more about fishing in a single weekend than I could have learned in years of trial and error on the water. He too was a big proponent of the concept that in each year there are a couple of near perfect fishing opportunities that arise. My friend Dan Juday and I hit one of these last year on Golden Lake, catching a feeding window just ahead of a massive front and it was the best day of fishing I had during all of last season.

Friends, I believe we are approaching this year's first window of opportunity. The precipitation that will fall over the next week, combined with a slowly rising temperature and a Full Moon Phase in the cards for next week, you have a solid window opening for river walleye fishing between now and St Patrick's Day.

Small males are already staging for runs to the spawning grounds, the bigger fish usually follow them in 7-10 days later....which means this year, things are right on schedule. Nature takes care of itself with these things, and we're looking at a solid window of opportunity starting this weekend.

Closer to home: the water on area lakes is (mostly) open, but still cold. A few fish are roaming into the shallows, especially the dark bottom bays that open/warm earlier. Still a bit on the early side, but expect things to start picking up when the weather stabilizes a bit towards the end of next week.

Good luck out there and be safe.

Cheers,
CT

Fishing Report 2/28/17

Greetings friends,

Spring has sprung and the runs are getting started. There's fish being caught in the Dells, at Depere and along the stretches of the Rock River between the Jefferson Dam and Blackhawk Island.

In years past I've fished the Dells and Depere, but I know the Rock River (because of its geographic location) better. My last post was my annual one with information resources related to the Rock River. Conditions dictate success and strategy on the Rock every year. In years with high, fast and dirty water...you'll have more success anchoring over current breaks/channel drops and fishing with heavy three way rigs. In years where you can control your drifting, vertical jigging is typically the key. If you can't get a bite doing either of these things, anchor at the very top of a deeper hole (upstream side). Then drag a lindy rig through the hole. Cast out the back of the boat, and inch the rig along the bottom with short twitches of the rod tip.

One pattern I like to use that doesn't get enough credit is bouncing a shad style crankbait off of rocks/wingdams. I've used the smallest Rapala shad raps in bright patterns to do this for years. The Rock is very snaggy, but if you keep contact with your bait during cast and retrieve you can use the lips on the bait to deflect off the rocks.

Last point: Every day will have an active feeding window where action will be better for a short time. Usually this is in the warmer part of the day, but I've seen it happen around 9:30am too. Just understand that success on the Rock can be tied to the time you put in.

Most of the area lakes are open. A few brave souls that ventured out during the run of nice weather have reported some limited success, but folks I talked with suggested they were looking for fish shallower than I would be right now.

If you're on the water looking for pannies look for them on the first drop into deeper water near the early warming areas. They won't make a big move shallow until the warmer temps stabilize just a bit, but it won't be long now. Best bet...small red hook #10 or #12 with a waxie or spike will produce more bites right now than anything else you can throw.

Talk to you soon.

Spring Runs Begin

Depere is open and fish are being caught. The Rock River declared Slow No Wake Story Here

It wouldn't be spring without some resources on spring fishing on the Rock River.

Water Resources Links:

 

USGS Data For Ft Atkinson

River status at Jefferson

River status at Ft Atkinson 

Rock-Kosh Lake District

Public Boat Launches:

Riverview Drive (At Jefferson Dam)

K-Mart

Water Street

(Thanks to Lake-Link's Backwoods43 for the map image)

Links to JSOnline Articles about Fishing the Rock River in Springtime:

St Patricks Day in 2009

Early April 2008

Link to the fish passage camera:

At the Jefferson Dam

Happy New Year...2017!

Hello friends,

It has been awhile since I checked in.

There's certainly been some changes to the local fishing scene. The loss, this year, of local fishing institutions Dick Smith and John Laimon (of Smokey's) has certainly changed the dynamic some. In the same way it was when "Musky" Mike passed, I feel like pieces of my youth have been taken away. I hope they are all in a row-boat together somewhere, fishing.

On tap for this coming year:

Take a Vet fishing, some limited guiding, and lots of time in the boat fishing with my kids and my dad.

Look for reports to start up around April 1st.

Cheers,
CT

Last Ride For a Bit.

Hey gang,

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm wrapping things up for the season. My new job in the real world starts next week, so while I'll still be on the water, it won't be like it normally is.

A couple of things. First off, I still have a couple of charity trips floating around out there. I'd like to get you in this year, but I can't guarantee that's going to happen.  If you have one, I will still honor it next year.

Second, I may have some late season availability (Especially in late September and Early October) but if there's a date you want, you need to call right away.

Third-The fish are making fall transitions already. Despite the heat, it is time to go fishing.

Finally, I'd like to leave you with a smile. I hope this one, of my daughter Maren from her first outing, will suffice.

I'll be in and out, so check in when you can. It has been fun doing these reports, and I hope to continue to do them as time allows.

Cheers,
CT

Checking In...Fishing Report 8-8-16

Hey gang, sorry I'm been short with reports, but when I haven't been on the water, I've been making my transition to my new teaching digs at the University of Minnesota. Learn more about my transition from UWM to UMN here

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 feed actively. The changes in the photocycle and the length of day will be evident to the fish, and you can expect to see activity levels peak and ebb during each day. The photocycle starts dominating fish activity this time of year.

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. Pine,  Ashippun, Golden, School Section, Okauchee, Garvin, and Lower Nashotah (RED HOT!) .

Largemouth will continue to come in using two primary patterns in the short term. On the (hot) 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 as they switch on and off, especially around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic. Deeper fish will continue to use weededges and points in 12-18 feet of water, or be suspended 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 late summer molt. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish. Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac Labelle and Moose have all had active bites around rock/gravel areas. Some fish are still being taken off the weedlines and off the weed flats by anglers flipping around heavy cover on Okauchee, Kessus, and Golden.

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 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, wacky, skirted grubs or twister tails as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Crankbaits in white or chartreuse, spinners or live bait are better for the deeper fish.  Okauchee, North, Oconomowoc, and Lac Labelle have been producing.

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 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. North, Oconomowoc, Pike, Fox, Lake Koshkonong and Lac Labelle lake have all been productive.

Northern pike activity has been slow and 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. Try Moose, Fox, Pretty, Kessus, Okauchee, Golden, Fowler Garvin, School Section and Ashippun Lakes for pike.

Good Luck and Cheers.
CT

Fishing Report 7-15-16

Water temps range greatly, and can be in the high 70's to mid 80s.

The other key factor on the water is the low water conditions. While we got some rain later in the week, the majority of local lakes are way down. 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 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. Structure at those depths will hold fish close to the bottom. Drifting with slip bobbers, tightlining vertically or long-lining split shot rigs tipped with live bait is the best way to target keepers.

Bass fishing has been surprisingly good given the heat. Some fish are on the weedlines 12-18 and 18-22 FOW. 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, flapper grubs, and jigworms. Topwater action can be had, but the bait they are chasing is on the small side, so go with a small pop-r, skitter pop or something similar. After the initial feeding, look for fish to get tight to shallow cover, docks 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.  On the bright sunny/hot days we had early in the week, the slop bite was producing, but I'm consistently only catching smaller fish out of the slop 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, with the weather the way is was, I caught fish at essentially every depth between 18 inches and 22 feet.

Smallmouth action has been a little slower by most reports. 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 during the hot stretch earlier in the week, and I was catching some decent numbers and sized fish using a downsized presentation...after the fronts went through, the bite dropped off .


The walleye were biting solid, especially just before dawn and around sunset, but after the weather shifted the bite got tough. The fish I was catching (some nice ones) 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

Fishing Report 7-7-16

Hey gang,



The unstable weather is making patterning fish difficult from day to day, but the action is steady. If you get on a decent bite, you'll be able to work it...but working into a solid and stable pattern has been harder than is typical for this time of year.


Water is high 70's-low 80's. Weeds are a full summer bloom, and there's been a couple of baitfish hatches. It still seems like schools of baitfish have been harder to come by this year, but there's some decent bait out on the deeper structure and around the inside and outside weed edges. If asked, I would have to say fishing is about average for mid July.

Panfish have started to make the summer transition. There's still a few stragglers in the shallows (mostly green sunfish or warmouth) but the best fishing for keepers has been to find suspended fish. This week it seemed like the fish were 12-15' down over deeper water, but close to points or sharp tuns in the weedline. Vertical fishing while drifting or slip bobbers with leeches, helgramites or plastics tipped with wax or butterworms are your best approach for these fish, and my standard tip applies: if you're catching smaller fish out deep, get your bait down deeper. Looking for action fish with the kids...docks/swim platforms and overhanging trees are holding lots of potato chip sized fish right now. A small bobber, a #10 or #12 size hook (red of course) and live bait will catch as many as you can shake a stick at.

Bass are working traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish difficult from day to day.  Docks, rockbars, slop, scattered weeds on flats and the deep weedlines have all been producing. The most consistent bite for largemouth has been the inside and outside weed edges in 6-14 feet of water. If you can find a defined edge in 12-14 FOW---stop and fish it.  The slop bite is on.. especially onmany of the smaller lakes. The topwater bite has been steady, but most topwater fish are being caught before 8a. Pop-R's with an orange or red belly have been producing some nice schooling fish and Redfins and jointed rapalas are catching some nice smallies. During my time on the water this week, I had to move with the fish...they were active and roaming early, then as the sun came up, they pulled tight to the docks and weededges. My tip, so much as it is a tip, is fish fast early, then slow down and get methodical around 8:30am. I'm still catching a ton of fish with downsized wacky rigs, ned rigs, and flapper grubs. My skirted craw bite, usually on fire right now, just isn't consistent yet...but it is putting some better fish in the boat. I'm staying with natural greens and pumpkin for colors for the most part, but black with just a little blue, or smoke with purple have also been pretty good.

If the bite is super tough...bust out the slip sinker rig with some leeches, chubs or small suckers and work the outside weededge...you'll put some fish in the boat.

Musky fishing continues to be very inconsistent. Some days have been very good, some have been absolutely void of fish, with very little, or any pattern to the days.  The most active fish have come on deep divers, gliders and large tubes fished along the deepest weedlines you can find. 20 FOW seems to be magic this year, but the trollers working at night have been having the best luck. It just hasn't been consistent out there....but of course it is the middle of July.

Walleye action has been picking up, especially at either end of the day. The fish are coming a little deeper this year...sometimes out to 35'. 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 and sand grass are the areas to key on, especially in 15-22 feet of water. Oconomowoc has been giving up some keepers in the evening, especially off the graded sand.

Pike action was a little slower this week. Best bet: Fish the weed flats and outside edges with spinners or live bait. Smaller, wide wobbling crankbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits are producing for the action seekers. Reapers, inline spinners and large jerkbaits are catching some better fish, but the action has still been slow. I'd look for them around shallow, isolated clumps of weeds in shallow, or on weededges along points that stick into deep basin water.

Good Luck,
CT

Holiday Weekend Fishing Report 6-30-16

A long holiday weekend ahead! We're half way through summer...and fishing has been been consistent on our area lakes. Most water temps are in the mid 70's. Weed growth and baitfish populations are at about average for this time of year.

Obviously the lakes will be busy with the long day holiday weekend, so plan on fishing early and late, but if you can stand the boat traffic, fishing has been steady all day all the last three weeks.

If you're a newbie or casual fisherman....keep it simple. Get some leeches or small suckers and fish them on a slip sinker or lindy rig. Just keep the line tight and put your boat around the deep edges of some visible weeds. You will catch fish if you can stay in contact with the outside weed edge in 12-15 FOW while keeping your speed down under 1mph. If you're looking to cast some lures...try a lipless crankbait, spinnerbait or buzzbait.  Just cast it at any weeds you see, and reel it in as fast as you can.

Panfish Looking for action with the kids? Small panfish can be caught in shallow water using a small hook, bobber and live bait (I recommend wax worms or leaf worms on a small red #10 sized (Most swim rafts will have fish nearby).  Looking for keepers? -- The better sized fish are being caught out of the deeper water (12-18 FOW) by anglers drifting and fishing vertically.

Tip: 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.

 Largemouth bass continue to run traditional summer patterns.  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 rigged wacky worms, jigworms, jig and chunks, skirted grubs and tubes. Piers are starting to hold fish and the slop has bite has been picking up. Topwater bite has been good until about 8:15am and then it has been picking up in the evening around 6:30-7pm

If you just want to catch fish, keep it simple...leeches on lindy or slip sinker rigs on the deep weed edge is an easy way to put some fish in the boat on just about any area lake. Follow the weeds out until they stop (usually in 12-15 FOW) and set up to fish. Remember to keep contact with your presentation.

Smallmouth bass fishing was fairly inconsistent this past week. Fish are using rocky points and bars 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, lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits or floating rapalas are your best tackle options, but live bait like leeches and small suckers has been working for the people backtrolling deep sand/rock in 18-25 feet.

Tip: Flapper grubs and Ned rigs are still producing...using a lighter mushroom head with a natural brown or green pattern worm. Downsizing my wacky rigs to smaller Senkos or French Fry's has put some fish in my boat during slower stretches the last couple of weeks. The baitfish the fish are eating are on the smaller side this year...so it seems that downsized presentations are a solid plan.

Walleye fishing has been very slow daytime, but better during the beginning and end of the day. (Typical summer condition.) Anglers putting in time are catching a few fish. Fish continue to be caught along outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass. 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 is grabbing a few as well, especially early and late in the day. Most fish are being caught along weededges in 12-18 FOW, but I've been catching them as deep as 25-32 FOW'

Pike fishing has been on fire with lots of smaller pike being reported. Active fish are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small baitfish, including last week's big hatch of juvenile panfish. Fish with inline spinners, lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or buzzbaits tight to scattered weedclumps in 4-8 FOW. Larger pike were hard to come by according to most reports, but if you want to chase them, try the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig.

Tip: A lipless crankbait, inline spinner or buzzbait fished around isolated shallow weed clumps will help you catch some action fish...a great option for kids right now.


Musky fishing remains slow for the most part. On the bright sunny days, target suspended fish out over deeper on lipless crankbaits, gliders and bucktails. Trolling at night has been producing a few fish during down moon cycles, but topwater fishing from 4-6am has been the most consistent way to catch a casting fish. I heard a few fish have been caught off the weedline on larger swimbaits, but only one person I talked with seemed to be talking that up the last week. Anglers continue to report lots and lots of lazy follows, so keep a sucker out. 12-15 FOW seems to be the magic depth over the past couple of weeks for sucker fish. (Essentially active fish patrolling the weedlines!)

Lake By Lake:

Okauchee:  Bass are on the piers, in the slop and on the weed edges in 8-12 feet. Musky are feeding in the shallows in the morning, and then moving out to 18-22 feet. Nothing substantial to report on panfish, but look for keepers suspended over deeper water and on the deep ends of the mainlake points.

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 on the south end. Pike are on the deep weedlines on the northwest and north east corners, and suspending over the deeper water.

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

Oconomowoc:  Mornings and evenings have been best. Bass are holding on the obvious structural breaks and suspending off the deep ends of the mainlake points. Northern pike and walleye fishing has been best for anglers using small suckers catching the majority of the fish, pike was better than walleye during the day.  Musky fishing was slow, but lots of fish are still doing lazy follows, and lots of people are reporting that they are seeing fish in shallow water chasing juvenile gills.

Fowler: Small panfish are biting, a few LM were caught in the river and out of the deep slop. Pike are on the weedlines. No word on musky.

Lac Labelle: Walleye fishing is moving toward its typical summer pace. Weed edges along the 8-12 foot breaks are holding fish as are drop-offs in 10-18 FOW. Musky have moved out to suspend over deep water in the main basin. White bass have been stealing lots of bait from walleye and panfisherman.  Remember the new 28" size limit this season.

Moose:  Bass and pike continue to bite. Target the breaks and weed clumps in shallow water with crankbaits or spinners. Pre-rigged worms have been catching some bass by covering water around sctattered shallow wee clumps. Backtrolling with small suckers on a slip sinker rigs around the first major drop to deep water has been a hot tactic, especially in low light conditions.

Ashipunn: Bass and pike have been biting, and the action has been steady this 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. Slip sinker rigs with leeches fished tight to the weed edge worked for me with one of my kids last week, but we caught more fish on plastics than live bait.

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. Bass have been biting best in the morning, but the deeper weedline bite has been picking up. Topwaters, plastics and spinners are all producing. Pike have been biting, especially on small suckers fished along the deep weedlines and on spinnerbaits fished over the submerged weeds.

Silver:  Bass can be caught using plastics around the weed clumps in 4-15 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 and suspending out over the deep basin between the mainlake points.

Lower and Middle Genessee: Panfish have moved to the deeper water with sandgrass, and largemouths are being caught around shallow to mid depth weeds. No word on trout on Lower, (fairly fished out at this point would be my guess)  Lindy rigging with live bait, especially leafworms or big reds has been very good for both bass and panfish. Night fishing is really picking up on Middle, especially along the deep points and drop offs. (In other words...it is July!)

Pine: Walleye, Pike, Largemouth and Smallmouth are being caught off the rocks early in the day, and off the weedlines in the mid-day and evenings. Slip sinkers with live bait will produce, but don't overlook crankbaits or slow rolled spinnerbaits for suspending fish. Fish have been coming very deep all day.

School Section: Bass and pike are biting, but most of the fish have been small. Look for the deep spots, and work them hard with plastics or live bait.

If you've got specific questions or if you're looking to get out while in town for the holiday: Feel free to email me.   I have some openings early next week and I can put you (and those kids) on some fish.


Good Luck, and Stay Safe This Weekend.

Cheers,
CT

In town for the holiday?

Greetings,

I have openings late this week, over the holiday weekend and next week for guided trips.

 I'm kid friendly (I have five of my own) and I can put you and the family on some fish.


Email me for more information.

Fishing Report 6-24-16

A tale of two weeks this week. Monday and Tuesday...fishing was very tough, and I had to work hard to junk fish/scratch fish together. Wednesday was one of my best days in awhile and Thursday I was out with my Daughter and caught a solid batch of fish.

I heard similar reports from other anglers this week as well.

On a personal note...I still have some days available for guiding between now and the 4th of July, and I'd really like to fill those dates. This is very likely my last summer guiding in the local area (Professor Terry is heading to Minnesota) so if you've followed the blog or have wanted to see how I approach the local waters, Now is the time to email me about a guided trip.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around the area, right now most lakes are in the mid to high 70s. Weed growth varies from lake to lake, but is about average for this point in the year. There were some major baitfish hatches, and wolf packs of gamefish are on the hunt.

Bluegills are almost done spawning on most area lakes. If you're looking for action, areas of beds can still be found in the shallows, but they've been heavily picked over. If you want some bigger fish, move out to 9-15 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 rig with a short leader through likely areas. (Try panfish leaches if you can find them, plastics tipped with waxworms or leafworms.)

Bass are into an early summer 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, pitched, wacky or texas rigged are great ways to target these fish. Live bait on slip sinker rigs are catching some nice 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 my boat, but with the weeds up now, curl-tail grubs, pre-rigged worms, texas rigs, jig and chunks and even skirted grubs are producing. It seemed like the active fish were feeding higher in the column than is typical for this time of year so horizontal presentations or slow falling vertical were the best. (For me anyway!)

Pike fishing was fairly steady this week. Fish are feeding early and late, and the best way to find them is to find 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 similar 3 hook jerkbait.




Walleye fishing has been slow and steady but much 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....slower speeds over the deeper part of the basins appears to be the trick. I didn't hear anything one way or the other on walleyes on either Nag or Pewaukee this week...so take my recommendation with that in mind.

Musky fishing continues to be about mid summer average. The larger fish have started to move out to the breaks, but there's still a solid number of fish patrolling the shallow water, feeding on schooled up panfish. Gliders and bucktails seem to be producing the most follows, but converting fish has been difficult. A few people are starting to troll the deeper basins, but I had less positive reports this week than last week. Big tip: On the water observation this week clearly demonstrated a relationship to moon phase on musky activity. If you can, fish when the moon is down (ie set)...moon phase is certainly changing fish activity levels right now. I personally saw multiple active fish in the shallows chasing yellow perch and hatched out shiners even during mid-day this week.

Good Luck Out There!
CT

Today

Didn't get find a taker for today's last minute opening, so I called a buddy and hit the water.

Tough day yesterday turned into the best day of the season today. With the radar showing the potential for some nasty mid day storms, hit the water early with the intent of bailing around 10am before the weather got bad. 

I love Golden for half days runs like this, and after struggling on Oconomowoc yesterday, was looking for some action fishing on my surprise day off.

Turned into a perfect day on the water. Steady, but light breeze kept it cool, and as the storm went south, even had enough sunshine peak through the clouds to warrant some sunscreen. Temperature about 65-72 all day.

Got on the fish right after we hit the water around 5:30. Steady action all day. I stuck to my staples...finesse plastics and texas rigs but my partner was digging in the tackle box some...throwing some topwater, swimbaits and a variety of plastics.

Lost count of the fish we caught but had to have been around 50 LM and a couple of pike including a 31" on a topwater prop bait. The bass were the usual range of fish on Golden...but Highlight fish of the day.... this tank. We had more than 10 better than 17" as well. 

Fishing Report 6-17-16

Well gang, we have some serious fishing going on right now. 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. You can even make good use of my Father's Day Special. Information Here

The bluegills are almost done spawning. 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 nests, but the bulk of the fish are starting to set up for summer. If you're looking for decent keepers, you need to look for those fish in 12-15 FOW. They are hard to find with the naked eye, so you'll need to do some moving around with your electronics. A good starting point is the deeper water adjacent to areas where you see beds in the shallow water. (Best bets: Middle Genessee, Lower Nehmabin, Nagawicka, Okauchee, Garvin, Keesus, School Section)

Bass are working traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish difficult from day to day.  Docks, rockbars, slop, scattered weeds on flats and the deep weedlines have all been producing. The best bite for largemouth has been weed edges in 6-12 feet of water. 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. Pop-R's with an orange or red belly have been producing some nice schooling fish and Redfins and jointed rapalas 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, Jigworms, Jig/chunk, Skirted grubs, Pre-rigged worms, Texas rigs and Sliders will all catch fish. (Keesus, Okauchee, Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Golden, Forest, Silver, Ashippun.)

Musky fishing continues to be good but the pattern has been evening or night fishing.  Day time patterns have been 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, but the trolling crowd put some quality fish in the boat this past week including at least one 51" on Okauchee.

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 and sand grass are the areas to key on, especially in 15-22 feet of water. Lake Koshkonong has a hot bite going on in the main basin in 4-6 feet. Pulling harnesses or cranks has been giving up a mixed bag of walleyes, pike and whitebass. Most walleye action is coming at less than 2mph when trolling with meat.

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.

Final Thought: I was out several times in the last week, and on most days I fished more than one lake. The fishing has been unreal the last 10-12 days. Drop that golf club, grab your kids and get on the water.



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

Cheers,
CT

Happy Father's Day

Greetings,

I'd like to once again offer a special on guided trips in honor of Father's Day. Book a trip for an open date in June or July and I'll knock $50 off my standard rate.

Time is limited, and I'd like to fill out my remaining dates. Email me for more information

Waubesa-Take a Vet Fishing 2016

It was another great year for Take a Vet Fishing on Waubesa.

I guided for two vets again this year, my fourth year of guiding for the event. Dan, who has been with me the last couple years was joined by Jerry.

We were out early, and on the fish right away, landing 4 bass in the first 40 minutes or so. Tried working a 4-6 FOW contour, but the fish we had caught were shallow, and we had to stay in on them to get bit. I though the fish would be tight to cover with the massive cold front, so we spent some time fishing weeds, but in the end, we started working some shallow water, and we stayed ridiculously shallow the rest of the day.

Final Score 24 LM (12-18") and 3 smaller pike. The nasty weather that went though missed us, and the bite was slow, but steady.

 Not a bad morning.

Ned Rig and Jigworm when the wind was blowing, and wacky when it laid down. Caught one fish on a frog near some slop and Dan was throwing a small paddletail swimbait you can see in the first picture.