Weather and Water Conditions for the Opener

Weather forecast:

Saturday: Light rain showers likely. Highs in the upper 50s. East winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of showers 60 percent.

 
Water Conditions:

Most local lakes have water temperatures in the low 50s. Open water areas on many lakes are reported to be in the high 40's. While not unprecedented for opening day, that is much cooler than normal. Weed growth is far behind average this year.


Predictions
The shallow dark bottom bays will be where most of the action is on Saturday. Live bait will be key. Targeting Musky, Pike and Walleye will be more productive than chasing bass. Sunday's weather looks a little better, and if the sun comes out, the later afternoon bite could really pick up.

Good Luck,
CT

Crazy Video: Carp Hunting

Peoria Carp Hunters: Carp Spearing To the Extreme!

Opening Weekend Resources

Here is my annual pre-opening weekend post. Look for an final update Friday with weather and water conditions from around the area.

This spring has been especially wet and cool. With water temps hovering in the 50's on most area lakes, the operative words will be slow and methodical. Live bait rigging will be a great option for gamefish during the opener. Slow rolling spinnerbaits or bucktails or burning lipless crankbaits will be great options for exploring weedy areas and drop offs.

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)
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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.

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Local Shorefishing Locations


· Okauchee Lake: Shore fishing is available at the public boat landing. Take HWY 16 to the Sawyer Road exit. Turn left at the T-intersection, and drive through the town of Okauchee. At the clock tower, veer left and then go about a ¼ mile to Road T, which is a right hand turn. Free parking for cars is available.

· Moose Lake: Shore and pier fishing is available at the Moose Lake Public Launch area. This launch has been improved over the last few years and a nice park like area is 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.

· 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.

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.

The DNR's 2011 Spring Fishing Forecast is here.

The DNR's online license purchases avoid the wait opening morning.

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River Fishing:

Whitebass are currently running in Jefferson on the Rock River. Around the state, whites are also in big runs on the Fox, Wolf and Wisconsin Rivers.

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Trout:
 Check out this post on local trout stocking numbers.

The complete report is available from the DNR Website


Panfish:

Crappies and Bluegills remain in shallow water, and the bite has been steady in the afternoons. Primarily the schools 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.

Best Lakes For Panfish: Ashippun, Silver, Kessus Buelah, Golden, the Geneessee lakes, Lake Five, Okauchee (Bay Five, the Channel, Icehouse and Stumpy Bay), Garvin and the Nehmabins.


Bass:

Largemouth are in a 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, 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 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:Nagawicka, Lower Nehmabin, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac La Belle.


Walleye: Many walleyes have been seen roaming shallow flats chasing baitfish. This indicates typical post-spawn behavior patterns, which matches the water temperatures on 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. I'd run live bait rigs to find fish, then fish an active area hard with crankbaits like a shad rap 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.

Northern: Pike are past their post spawn blues and are starting to feed aggressively. Small pike are 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 big bobbers and suspend large shiners and suckers around weed edges or near areas with visible panfish. Casting with lipless crankbaits or spinner baits, especially around shallow weeds on the flat areas can be dynamite.

Best lakes for pike: Forest, Emily, Moose, Golden, Nagawicka, Fowler, Lower Gennessee, Okauchee.


Musky: Lots of fish have been seen recovering from the spawn, but 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 on a quick strike rig while casting. I'd stick to jerkbaits, gliders or small bucktails for the opener this year, and concentrate your efforts on any scattered weed clumps you can find. I'd plan on being methodical and be ready to make lots of casts to an area to get neutral fish to bite.

Best lakes for musky:Pewaukee, Lac La Belle, Fowler, Okauchee, Garvin and Oconomowoc.

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Good Luck out there!
CT

Early season predictions from the DNR

Southeastern Wisconsin Fish Supervisor Randy Schumacher reports that more cold and rainy days are forecast before the opener, "and that's good because northern pike which will be done spawning will be active and spawning, largemouth bass will be very active still, congregating over dark organic bottoms on north side of lakes to warm themselves up for spawning. Generally they'll be in shallow waters. The best time to fish for largemouth is probably in the middle of the day. If you're going for largemouth bass, there's no point in going early in the morning unless you need to get a spot at the boat landing. Otherwise, large female bass are still feeding to help mature their eggs. As far as our recent surveys go, we caught a 51.5 inch musky in Pewaukee Lake, so we're really happy to see strong populations there. There's a good walleye population in Pewaukee as well. It's showing once again it’s a lake for everybody -- good largemouth bass, good crappie, bluegills. We're also netting on big Elkhart in Sheboygan County and found a good walleye population there as well, which was good news because we hadn't surveyed for years there and we worried the population may have gone down.”

Link to the whole report is online here.

Local Trout Stocking

The numbers for this year's trout stocking are out.

On the local lakes:

FOWLER LAKE
        BROWN TROUT 954  
        RAINBOW TROUT 1,491

LANNON COUNTY PARK POND
         RAINBOW TROUT        3,500

LOWER GENESEE LAKE
         BROOK TROUT 1,685
         BROWN TROUT 1,273
         RAINBOW TROUT 1,491

LOWER NASHOTAH LAKE
          BROWN TROUT 1,273
          RAINBOW TROUT 1,491

OTTAWA LAKE
          BROWN TROUT 636
          RAINBOW TROUT 994


The full report is available here: from the DNR.

Fishing Report 4-27-11

Rain, rain and more rain has been on the menu lately. The days, especially the afternoons have stayed cool and cloudy, and as a result, the water is not warming up quickly.

Fish are biting though. It's hard to get an accurate picture, as not that many guys are putting in the time on the water, but fishing is has been at least average for this time of year.

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 as an option.
Bay 5, Stumpy and Icehouse Bays, The Crane's Nest and the Channel on Okauchee are always great areas, as are Garvin (North end) Kessus, Golden, Pine (Both Ends) Moose, Fowler, Lac Labelle and the boat channels on Nagawicka.

Walleyes and Whitebass continue to bite on the Rock River in Jefferson. The spawning runs are done for the most part, but fish are still being taken from shellbeds, rockpiles and in the channel swings. Jig and minnow, or jig and plastics (including ringworms) have been the best baits this year. 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 action.

Reminder: Gamefish season is still closed this weekend, it opens at 12am, May 7th.

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.

Good Luck
Chris

Big Head Carp caught in St Croix at Prescott

The state's western border is under attack: From Paul Smith at JSOnline:

A commercial fisherman netting for buffalo and common carp caught the 27-pound bighead just north of the St. Croix's confluence with the Mississippi River and contacted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Full story is here.

Spring?!? Fishing Report 4-20-11

We'll the weather isn't cooperating, and fishing has slowed down some.

On the rivers, white bass are in the late stages of their spring run. On the Rock River look for them at the mouths of feeder creeks or up the Crawfish and Bark Rivers. If you're on the main rivers, you may find some schools holding over shelves in slack water, but most of the fish are up the creeks and rivers.

The walleye bite has slowed down substantially, typical for extended periods of cooler weather and the post spawn period. The stretch of river between Watertown and the area above the Jefferson dam appears to be the most consistent, and then the best fishing has been around dusk. Large minnow imitators and jerkbaits are catching the most fish.

Local lakes had crappie moving into the shallows before the cold snap. There are still schools of fish hanging in the dark bottom shallow areas, but with the cooler temps, getting them to bite can be challenging. Fishing slow with waxworms on an icefishing jig can be a good way to chase finicky crappies. Once we get some warmer afternoons, tail hooked minnows suspended above the fish will be the best approach.

Stay Tuned,
CT

Fishing Report 4-13-11

Well, we've been doing it piece by piece for a bit, but it is time to get back to full on fishing reports now. Remember, I won't be posting these at the Musky Mikes Blog anymore, you'll have to come here to get them, but when I post the report, I'll put a link up at the shop's blog.

River fishing continues. On the Rock River, the walleye bite has slowed down, but lots of people are still getting keepers. The water is warming up, and the better bite seems to be in the late afternoon in shallow water near rocks or shell beds. Controlled drifting wih jig and plastic combinations, or anchoring just up stream from the hard bottom structure and running three ways with live bait seem to be the most consistent approaches.

The walleye bite is slowing down, but the whitebass bite continues to be very good. Jig and twister, jig and minnow, small inline spinners, small reflective minnow baits or small lipless crankbaits are all solid options for chasing whitebass. Look for shelves or areas with incoming water off the main channel. Fish may be back in the creeks pretty far by now, just work an area until you start getting bit, and adjust in or out as necessary. The  mouths of the Bark and Crawfish River, the area just south of downtown Ft Atkinson, and the Jefferson Dam have all been producing fish. White, white and pink or gold have been the best colors this season, although a blue and white combo is a long time favorite of mine.

Closer to home, the area lakes are all open. Water temps are still in the low 40's, and many anglers are reporting that the water is cloudy. Crappie are being caught in 2-4 and 6-8 feet of water in dark bottom areas. Look for them in shallow bays with a northern bank, boat channels or marshy areas. Areas with green weeds, wood laydowns or reeds will concentrate fish. Early on I like to use waxworms or spikes on a small red hook, tailed hooked fathead minnows and as the water warms, I'll start to use plastics, all suspended under a bobber. The bit will be light, so make sure your weight makes your bobber stand straight and gets and keeps your bait down. One trick with crappies is to keep your bait just above them, they like to feed "up."  Lower Nehmabin, Pine, Nagawicka, Fowler, Lac Labelle, Golden, Garvin and Stumpy, Ice House and Bay Five on Okauchee are all traditional hotspots for early spring crappies.

I'm always happy to help and provide some tips, shoot me an email or a call if you have questions.

Be safe and have fun out there.
Cheers,
CT

Local lakes are open-Panfish Fishing to Begin

A quick check around the area says that all local lakes are open.

Crappie and bluegills will start to make their way to shallow, dark bottom areas on our local lakes. Most reports have water conditions as "dirty" on most lakes, especially Okauchee. But fish will still migrate towards shallow bays, boat channels, and marshy areas with dark or sandy bottoms. Sunny afternoons with a south or southwest wind will provide the best action until the water warms up.

Remember: North facing areas will be marginally 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, look for 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 you bait just above the weeds, and any visible fish that you see. I like to use waxworms or spikes on a small red hook, small/crappie sized fatheads-hooked in the tail, underneath a pencil bobber with just a split shot or two to keep the bait down. Once the water gets a little warmer, and crests 52-55 degrees, I'll start using plastics heavily, but for now, I'd stay with the live bait for a couple of weeks.

CT

White Bass-Rock River

Managed to play a little hooky and get out to the river for a few hours on Friday.

The walleye bite was slow, but the white bass were biting like crazy.

Jig and twister, jig and minnow and small spinners, casting above small underwater shelves off the main channel.

People at the mouth of the Bark River were getting fish, as were people targeting slack water and eddies south of Ft Atkinson. Most of the people we saw fishing from shore were getting a few at least.

Cheers
CT

Rock River Update/fishing report 4-8-11

Well here we go:

Area Lakes:
There's still skim ice on several local lakes, expect the rain and warm temperatures this weekend to do away with the last remnants. Crappie fishing should get started very quickly, focus on dark bottom bays, boat channels, and shallow areas with green weeds, especially along the northern banks. Ashippun, School Section and Golden always turn on early, as well as sections of Okauchee (The Channel, Stumpy Bay and Icehouse Bay), the North end of Pine Lake and Nag (boat channels). Don't over look Lac Labelle or Fowler for crappies.

Musky are starting to appear in large numbers below the Oconomowoc River Dam. Take your polarized lenses over and check them out. The folks over at Musky Mike's assure me that the video is forthcoming.

Around the state:
Walleye runs are in full gear in the Dells, on the Wolf and at Depere. White bass are starting to appear.

Closer to home, the conditions on the Rock River are really hot. Becky from Dick Smith's says it has been one of the best years in awhile (that might have something to do with the fact that this is the first year in several where the flooding wasn't close to what one might describe as biblical).

Current is steady. with the water temperature rising.

Good luck, have fun and be safe.

Cheers,
CT

Muskies below the dam...

The fish are starting to appear below the Oconomowoc River dam. Head over there and check it out. Musky Mikes will do some video again this year, and I'll make sure to post it asap.

Rock River Update 4-5-11

 

Things should really start picking up as the weather stabilizes this week. If you're fishing there, expect to start to see some whitebass moving into the river soon.

I'll be back later this week with a full report, including conditions on the local lakes.

Rock River Condition Update 4-1-11, Primetime for Fishing for Walleyes

It is on.

Start looking for fish in current breaks, over small rocky areas, or in the inside turns along the main channel where eddies form. Current breaks that are formed by downed timber can be unbelievable.

Jig and plastic or jig and minnows will produce. The Water remains high, but the current is steady, and just about right for good drifting.

This weekend, with this batch of rain coming through today, will make for perfect fishing conditions. Look for  feeding activity to happen in spurts throughout the day this weekend.

Blackhawk Island has been the most productive, but the anglers up river have been doing very well, especially those willing to work for fish.

Next on the menu: White Bass on the rivers, and crappies on local lakes.

Good Luck,
CT

Now its time...Hit the Rock River for Walleye Fishing

Things will happen quickly now. Expect the bite to pick up as the weather stays stable.

Water temp is getting close to the magic number, and while the water remains relatively high, the current speed is dropping making for good drifting/vertical jigging conditions.

 

Conditions Stabilizing on the Rock River

Things are looking better.

Temperature creeping back up.

 

The water is still high, but the fast current is starting to drop off to a good speed for drifting.

Rock River Fishing Today 3-28-11

Got out for a few hours today to give it a go. Nice sunny day....amazing how much sun your skin can get after a winter here.

Launched at Kmart, fished the downriver hole. Went with anchors and three ways, then did a drift jigging. It was a tough day. The water is cold, high and fast as advertised. Marked plenty of fish on the sidefinder, and had bunch of short bites, but other than some sheephead action, it was a slow day.

Not much happening in the handful of other boats we saw either.

Water was 34.2 degrees at launch around 10:30, just pushing 34.9 when we pulled out at 4:00.

Need some warmer days, and we need the nightime temps to quit dropping so low.

Stay Tuned.

Leaving in 5...For the Rock River

Conditions could be better, but I'm leaving in five minutes for the River.
Full report when I return.

Conditions are steady, water is cold.... almost time to fish the Rock River again.

But here's the key. There certainly are fish in the river, but with the water temp hovering so low after this cold snap, getting those fish to bite will be a challenge.

Drifting with jig/minnows? You'll need to slow down and hover over the break lines in the deeper holes, structure, current eddies or the shallower outside turns. Drifting at the current speed will probably be to fast for these fish.

Anchoring is always a better option when the water is high, fast and cold/ Try to position yourself at the upriver end of a deeper hole. You want to be right over the top of the grade into the deep part of the hole. Fish vertical with your three way rigs, use enough weight to keep your presentation just next to the boat, then reel up the slack so that your rod tip is just barely loaded. From there, its just a matter of line watching. You have a bite when you see your line stop moving in the current.

When  I anchor on the Rock in these conditions, I use a very short leader to my weight. no more than 15 inches, but usually closer to six or eight. The leader to the hook is also short. I usually use a small red treble baited with a fathead or tuffy minnow. If the water is really dirty, like right now for example, I'll add a bead or two for color on the leader line just above the hook.

I'll run as many as three rods per person, and I'll check each one every five minutes by taking it out of the rod holder and lifting the weight off the bottom. When you pull the weight up, if there's a fish there, you will feel the resistance while the weight is loose. Immediately set the hook.

Until the water gets back up to 40 degree mark, the bite will likely be slow and light.. This method is fantastic for catching light biting walleyes in current.

Good Luck,
CT