River Fishing Tips at Musky Mikes Website

We've posted an article on spring river fishing at the baitshop's home page. Here's a link:

http://www.muskymikesbaitshop.com/musky6/RIVER_FISHING.html

CT

Rock River

I hooked up with Paul Smith from the Journal-Sentinel today. We headed down to the Rock River.

Launched at Kmart around 11am, and we fished a few spots downstream from the 106 bridge. Connected with around a half dozen walleyes and saugers and a buffalo. Saw a couple other walleyes get caught on green plastic/jig combos in the same area we were fishing.

Slack water, 3 way rigs with a very short dropper line and a short leader was the key. Bigger fatheads and large rosies were working better than small ones. Bite was very light on all but one fish.

Flow is fast and heavy, the water is very high. If you're going to drift, you'll need some heavy jigs and a solid trolling motor to control. Water at the Kmart launch is at the top of the ramp, and the concrete "bumpers" are underneath the water. The pier was not in.

Water temps between 34-38. Wind was brutual at times.

The article should be in the Sunday Edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Heading out....

...Tommorrow with Paul Smith from the Journal-Sentinel. A full report when I return.

High Water?

I was just looking over the flow charts from the National Weather Service, and its looks like the flows will be heavy again this year on the rock river.

Stock up on some heavy jigs and three way rigs.

Rock River Resources

I added a series of links for the Rock River, including the best lake-link.com threads, the Rock-Koshkonong district webpage/blog and a link to the DNR boat launch website.

CT

On the water...

I'll be out after this batch of warm weather and rain. Stay up to date with reports here and on the shop blog.

I'm happy to trade information or point you in the right direction, just call or send me an email.

CT

Let's Go Fishing

Stretches of the Wisconsin and Rock River's are open for fishing. There's some nicer weather on the way. Give me a call and let's hit the water.

Upcoming Fishing Related Events

Madison Show: This Weekend

JS Sport Show: Next Weekend

Close of Gamefish Season: Next Sunday

Musky Mikes Ice Fishing Sale: Through March 15

Musky Mikes Fishing Equipment Collection for the DNR Loaner Program: On Going till free fishing weekend in June.

CT

Congratulations to Skeet Reese

Winner of the 2009 Bassmaster Classic.

Spearers take 1,512 sturgeon in Fox Valley lakes

From JsOnline


By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel

Feb. 21, 2009 6:02 p.m. | The 2009 sturgeon spearing season closed today after spearers took a total of 1,512 of the fish from lakes Winnebago, Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts.

The count included 301 juveniles, 596 males and 615 adult females, which was 97.6% of the 630 quota for adult females allowed this season, said Ron Bruch, sturgeon biologist with the state Department of Natural Resources. The season opened Feb. 14.

Spearers took 89 sturgeon on Lake Winnebago today before the season closed at 12:30 p.m., Bruch said. The lake's season total of 1,237 sturgeon fell below the record of 1,854 set in 2004.

"A snowstorm and strong winds created white-out conditions on Lake Winnebago today," he said. "But that didn't stop large numbers of dedicated sturgeon spearers from driving out on the ice to their shacks this morning."

The season on lakes Poygan, Winneconne and Butte des Morts ended Wednesday. Spearers took 275 sturgeon from those lakes this season.

News

Some Items of Interest:

1.) The Milwaukee Journal had an article today that discussed controlling the water flows through the dams on the Oconomowoc River Chain. After last year's massive flooding, the issue again has returned. Personally, I'm not sure how they hope to fix the problem with the dams built the way they are. The Okauchee/Oconomowoc dam and the Fowler/Lac Labelle dam are designed to only hold back so much water. The Okauchee dam can be opened to increase flow when neccessary, but that wouldn't have changed the downriver effects much with all the water last year.

Either way, here's a cut and paste link to the article:
http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/39646342.html

2.)I'm doing some garage cleaning and I have several bass and musky combos I'd like to sell. They're all st croix rods with abu garcia or shimano reels. A couple have never been used. If you want more information, please email me and I'll send you a complete list.

3.)Looks like this weather is going to slow down the transition to open water. Two things. First be carfeul when on the ice after the fresh snow as it may cover up some old holes or stress cracks. Second, since we'll be ice fishing a few more weeks, now would be a great time to stock up on ice fishing gear at the shop.

4.)The open water fishing that's available right now appears to be surprisingly consistent. The open water areas on the wisconsin river below the dams in the dells and at petenwell are producing fish for guys willing to put in the time. Large ice flows are still reported, and I'll make sure to keep you updated on conditions as information comes to me.

5.) For those of you who asked, Kelly will be having the baby next week. Its our second, and I can't wait to meet my daughter Quinn. Big brother Shannon, my son, also seems excited.

Good Luck and stay safe,
CT

Open water!

It has begun....

Early reports from the dells have fish biting in the open water stretches. Lots of ice flows are reported, but guys are out.

I have no solid data on open water access on the Rock River, but the warm temps and rain have busted up some of the areas below the dams. A few anglers are reporting some success fishing from shore.

The Milwaukee harbor area is also open. I'll be checking with some sources, but I saw boats out there this morning when I was down on the southside of Milwaukee.

I'll be prepping the boat this weekend. If you have to stratch the open water itch, we can get out on weather permitting days starting next week. Give me a call.

CT

Open Water

Dells: The Launch at Rivers Edge is open.

Petenwell: Laucnhes at HWY 21 and at the Dam are open.

I'll keep updating as I get information. If you want to get out, I could go this weekend or next week.

Open Water ?!?

There's reports of open water below the dam in the dells.

Check out the river-cam at

http://www.riversedgeresort.com/

CT

Dreaming of open water

I'm dreaming of some open water fishing. I don't really mind winter and i really like living in this part of the country, but I hate that my fishing season is shorter than in other places.

I drove over the crawfish and rock rivers the other day, and boy its going to be a late thaw this year.

CT

I get emails

...and they help me pass the winter months. National Geographic is promoting a program called Hooked on Bass.

HOOKED ON BASS
The largemouth bass is more than just Americas most sought after freshwater fish. It fuels an entire culture of followers that pursue the bass at all levels for different reasons: weekend hobbyists, professional tournament anglers, and obsessed record hunters. Some fish to spend time with family and for relaxation, some for the challenge and the connection with nature, and others for the money and obsession. The pursuit of the bass has a $60 billion dollar effect on our economy by the 30 million bass anglers, a sport which has become the most popular outdoor activity in America. Three stories typify the culture of bassfishing, and happen on three different lakes across the country. In Texas, on Lake Sam Rayburn, weekend angler Rusty Clark fishes in one of the worlds largest amateur bassfishing tournaments. In New York, on Lake Oneida, Kevin Van Dam tries to secure his year-long quest to be the top professional in the sport. And in California, on Dixon Lake, three world record hunters obsessively hunt one fish that they believe to be the biggest bass of all time.


Monday, February 2 at 10pm ET/PT
Saturday, February 28 at 8pm ET/PT – Encore Presentation


Here's some videos to keep you thinking spring.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Animals--Nature/All-Videos/If-You-Love-Bass-Youll-Love-This.html



and

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/videos/feeds/cv-seo/Animals--Nature/All-Videos/If-You-Love-Bass-Youll-Love-This.html




See you soon!
CT

Ice Fishing

I'm may be on the bench for the winter, but Ben's out there and he's catching people fish. Here's a few from a recent Milwaukee Harbor outing.





There's a link to Ben's website on the right. His number is 414-477-2972.

CT

Reflections on 2008 Season

I had a quiet New Year's Eve, and I was up early this morning. There was a bunch of fishing shows doing their end of year retrospective episodes, and it got me to thinking about my 2008. Fishing wise, I think it was a pretty good year.

I'd be lying if I didn't say that catching a 10+ pound largemouth wasn't a highlight of the year, but I'd also be lying if I din't say that my entire Texas fishing trip at the end of February wasn't fantastic.



Taking Paul Smith, the new Journal-Sentinel outdoor writer out for an article was great, as was the plug that the shop and I received in the Milwaukee Magazine article.

The local open water season started good despite the very high water, and my first trip out after the opener brought in a trophy smallmouth for my clients. I also spent alot of time guiding on Silver Lake this year which resulted in lots of days with a solid number of fish caught. I had three days where my clients caught more than 100 fish there.

The flooding kept me off my usual Lac Labelle trips during late May and early June. It also cut down on the time I spent during the early season on the Rock River. My best walleye fishing ended up being in the late part of summer on Lake Koshkonong when the bite got hot. I had some really fantastic days pulling spinner harnesses over the rocks and sand.

All of these things were great, and I'm grateful that people give me a chance to share my knowledge with them, but the highlight of the year has to be the times I spent with my son, Shannon, in the boat and fishing off the pier when we took a short family vacation up to Eagle River. He wasn't even two years old for the trip, but he took to fishing the way I had always dreamed that he would.




Sitting on the pier, catching potato chip sized bluegills with my son, was for me, better than everything else that happened on or off the water this past year.



See you on the water in 2009!
CT

Babe at Viking Outpost

The outfitter for the fly-in trip to Canada next August sent me a note to let me know that Babe Winkleman shot a segment for his TV show at one of the outfitter's cabins. The episode is scheduled to air the week on January 17 on Versus and Fox Sports Net.

I'll try to embed the video, but make sure to check it out.

CT

2009 Open Water Season

With winter upon us, its time for my annual December special.

Purchase a certificate for a 2009 Trip by December 20th, 2008 and pay only the 2008 Rate.

Contact me for details.

CT