Just some reminders...
Early season trout fishing starts tomorrow at 5am and runs through April 29th. As with anything trout fishing related there's a variety of different regulations depending on where you are in the state. You also need an inland trout stamp with your fishing license.
Info from the DNR is available here.
Also, if you're still out on the ice...remember that gamefish season closes after this weekend. Time to get into those marshy areas with big dead-bait and go for the biggest pike of the season.
Me...I'm itching for open water. Looking forward to a walleye run this spring. The rivers should be up, and I'm wishing for spring fishing.
Stay Tuned.
CT
Friday, March 1, 2013
Monday, February 18, 2013
Wisconsin DNR and Panfish
The DNR is starting to take panfish management more seriously...something that is overdue.
While many people believe panfish populations are fished out, with smaller overall fish. I believe the art of catching larger panfish has been lost over the last 15 years. In my experience people tend to fish too shallow and with far too big of bait to effectively catch panfish. (Using nightcrawlers to chase bluegills is like swatting a fly with a shotgun.)
Anyway, the DNR is launching an inquiry into panfish management options (which is how administrative agencies operate).
Note: There will be a discussion at the Madison Tackle Show this weekend. Given how the Madison area lakes are fished for panfish...there's sure to be some discussion of interest to readers of this blog.
More to come. Stay Tuned.
Cheers,
CT
While many people believe panfish populations are fished out, with smaller overall fish. I believe the art of catching larger panfish has been lost over the last 15 years. In my experience people tend to fish too shallow and with far too big of bait to effectively catch panfish. (Using nightcrawlers to chase bluegills is like swatting a fly with a shotgun.)
Anyway, the DNR is launching an inquiry into panfish management options (which is how administrative agencies operate).
- Info here.
- The Waukesha Meeting was yesterday... but a list of the others is here.
- If you want to contribute to the discussion...the online survey is available at this link.
Note: There will be a discussion at the Madison Tackle Show this weekend. Given how the Madison area lakes are fished for panfish...there's sure to be some discussion of interest to readers of this blog.
More to come. Stay Tuned.
Cheers,
CT
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Record Sturgeon and Big Bass
From the DNR:
- The 2013 spearing season is underway and already Peter Vander Weilen has added his name to the record books. On Saturday he registered an 80-inch, 179-pound fish, the sixth largest fish harvested on the Lake Winnebago System since the 1930s.
There's a great link here about some of the largest sturgeon taken by spearers.
And then there's this
- A 20+ pound largemouth bass was reported being taken in Texas. There's some debate about when and where it was caught....but does it really matter?!?
Cheers,
CT
Friday, February 8, 2013
Gone Fishin'
You may have noticed things have gotten a little slow around here, for that I apologize. Decided to take the rest of the ice season off this year for extra time when open water comes back around.
See you soon.
CT
See you soon.
CT
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Catching Up-Fishing Report 1-17-13
Well, old man winter is going to pay us a visit this year. He brought his cold temps, but so far has forgotten his pail of snow.
Fishing conditions have stabilized into a mid-winter pattern typical for our area, but there's places where the ice isn't the best so standard disclaimer: Spud your way out, use safety spikes or a PFD, and the buddy system.
Close to shore, and in protected areas, most ice reports have 4-6 or 5-7 inches of good ice. I've heard of some of the early freeze areas having as much as 8inches, but I've heard there's still some open water, especially in the deep open water zones. Just use some common sense.
Fishing has been a little slow, but results have been steady. Panfish and Pike are biting on our local lakes. If you're having trouble connecting with fish, try a little deeper than you would have in previous years...it seems like that was/is/ and will likely continue to be the trick.
Green weeds will hold panfish. Waxies, spikes and plastics will take aggressive biters at a variety of depths, but wigglers can really do the trick on the fish you can see on your camera/or electronics but won't bite. I like to go with three setups for pannies, each set up a little different until I find something that is working. For action: Try Moose, Forest, Garvin, Fowler, Lac Labelle and Kessus For Keepers: Okauchee, North, Pine, Lower Nashotah, Golden or Silver. Hottest tip of the last ten days: Middle Gen.
Walleye have been biting shiners roaches and suckers on tip ups, especially early in the morning. 12-15 FOW seems to be the magic number from the reports I got this week, but all of the people I heard this from were fishing areas with rock-weed transitions at that depth. One report, from a very trusted source, mentioned that his group was out with 12 rigs set up over a small area, and although only two of the holes were productive, the action was consistent for about 3 hours. If you're going to try for walleyes...I'd keep it to the basic spots. Nagawicka, Pine, North and Lac Labelle.
Pike are doing lots of things, and it doesn't seem like one approach has been better than others. I'd gotten reports of pike being taken shallow and deep. Flourocarbon rigs are the hot thing this year, and I never think it hurts to have some flash or a spinner on your setup. Deadbait is a personal favorite of mine, but large shiners are always a solid bet. Keesus, Moose, Nag, Okauchee and Golden have all reported some decent action recently.
Good luck, and don't forget about the Lunker's fisheree and meat auction (Pewaukee Lake) on the 19th.
Cheers,
CT
Fishing conditions have stabilized into a mid-winter pattern typical for our area, but there's places where the ice isn't the best so standard disclaimer: Spud your way out, use safety spikes or a PFD, and the buddy system.
Close to shore, and in protected areas, most ice reports have 4-6 or 5-7 inches of good ice. I've heard of some of the early freeze areas having as much as 8inches, but I've heard there's still some open water, especially in the deep open water zones. Just use some common sense.
Fishing has been a little slow, but results have been steady. Panfish and Pike are biting on our local lakes. If you're having trouble connecting with fish, try a little deeper than you would have in previous years...it seems like that was/is/ and will likely continue to be the trick.
Green weeds will hold panfish. Waxies, spikes and plastics will take aggressive biters at a variety of depths, but wigglers can really do the trick on the fish you can see on your camera/or electronics but won't bite. I like to go with three setups for pannies, each set up a little different until I find something that is working. For action: Try Moose, Forest, Garvin, Fowler, Lac Labelle and Kessus For Keepers: Okauchee, North, Pine, Lower Nashotah, Golden or Silver. Hottest tip of the last ten days: Middle Gen.
Walleye have been biting shiners roaches and suckers on tip ups, especially early in the morning. 12-15 FOW seems to be the magic number from the reports I got this week, but all of the people I heard this from were fishing areas with rock-weed transitions at that depth. One report, from a very trusted source, mentioned that his group was out with 12 rigs set up over a small area, and although only two of the holes were productive, the action was consistent for about 3 hours. If you're going to try for walleyes...I'd keep it to the basic spots. Nagawicka, Pine, North and Lac Labelle.
Pike are doing lots of things, and it doesn't seem like one approach has been better than others. I'd gotten reports of pike being taken shallow and deep. Flourocarbon rigs are the hot thing this year, and I never think it hurts to have some flash or a spinner on your setup. Deadbait is a personal favorite of mine, but large shiners are always a solid bet. Keesus, Moose, Nag, Okauchee and Golden have all reported some decent action recently.
Good luck, and don't forget about the Lunker's fisheree and meat auction (Pewaukee Lake) on the 19th.
Cheers,
CT
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Things are happening (12-29-12)
I'm just getting back to town from a family visit in Michigan. I'm returning to news that some of the smaller protected areas have as much as 4-5 inches of ice.
Stay safe, and take this info with a grain of salt. I haven't verified it personally.
Cheers,
CT
Stay safe, and take this info with a grain of salt. I haven't verified it personally.
Cheers,
CT
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Pretty Quiet
I'm not dead....it is just that I haven't had anything to say.
We're in what Musky Mike used to call the "dead zone" of the year....too early for ice, but very few people still fishing from boats.
I'm finishing up the semester, and if I can get out next week I'll bring you an up to date report. Typically there's some great late season perch and smallmouth fishing to be done if the water is open this late.
I haven't heard anything from any of my sources since deer hunting. I thought some people might try to get out today, but the weather has kept everyone in.
I know the walleye bite in the Dells was going earlier in the week, but I haven't heard of anything else....I'll check back in when I hear anything...in the meantime..stay tuned.
Cheers,
CT
We're in what Musky Mike used to call the "dead zone" of the year....too early for ice, but very few people still fishing from boats.
I'm finishing up the semester, and if I can get out next week I'll bring you an up to date report. Typically there's some great late season perch and smallmouth fishing to be done if the water is open this late.
I haven't heard anything from any of my sources since deer hunting. I thought some people might try to get out today, but the weather has kept everyone in.
I know the walleye bite in the Dells was going earlier in the week, but I haven't heard of anything else....I'll check back in when I hear anything...in the meantime..stay tuned.
Cheers,
CT
Monday, November 19, 2012
Friday, November 2, 2012
Fishing Report 11-2-12
Greetings,
It is that time of the year. The last warm days of fall, the end of the October Full Moon Cycle, post-turnover and the water is below 50 degrees.
Get out your big hardware, buy the biggest suckers you can find and hit the lakes.
Musky fishing has been slower than in past years, but what it lacks in quality it has made up for in stability. There's a good, steady bite going on...and the big fish are primed to get into that full-late season action that keeps me out of my tree-stand this time of year.
Look for active feeders between 8-12 and 12-18 FOW. The fish will hold on the edges of major structural elements, moving in a couple times a day to forage. You can connect with them in both positions.
Around the area:
Pewaukee Lake: Giving up fish consistently, but average size has been on the lower side compared to the last couple years. Major WMT tournament on the water this weekend...and fishing pressure has been heavy.
Okauchee Lake: Slow and steady is the word. Less fish reported than Pewaukee, but better average size. Stumpy Bay has been very hot, especially along the inside turns of the steep breaks. Edges of the North Flat and Road Bed have been productive, as have areas with visible baitfish in Bay Five. Water is low and access to Garvin Lake, always a late season hotspot, is limited.
Oconomowoc Lake: River is down a bit, but still okay for most boats...watch the turns. Fishing has been steady with several low to mid 40 inch class fish reported in the last ten days.
Fowler Lake: No reports.
Lac Labelle: Action at about average pace, maybe a little lower. Musky population in Labelle is lower than some of the other lakes, but as is typical for Labelle reports...the size is much bigger. Two fish in the high 40" class were reported this week.
Other action: Rock River fishing has been slow. Fish are being caught, but they are largely undersized. Legal walleyes have been hard to come by, and whitebass action has not picked up.
Local lakes: Still some pike biting, especially on live bait...but nothing important enough to note. Pretty and Moose have been active, but reports are getting thin. Bass fishing is okay on the warmer sunny days. Flipping jigs to open spots in deep weed edges is still productive, along with buzzbaits fished tight to shallow cover. Sunny afternoons are still pulling some fish up on to the shallow rockbars that are adjacent to deeper water. Regardless...not too many people out chasing bass or pike right now. Panfish are still hanging at the ends of major points...look for the biggest pannies at the bottom of the schools you can find in 12-18 FOW.
Good Luck....
CT
It is that time of the year. The last warm days of fall, the end of the October Full Moon Cycle, post-turnover and the water is below 50 degrees.
Get out your big hardware, buy the biggest suckers you can find and hit the lakes.
Musky fishing has been slower than in past years, but what it lacks in quality it has made up for in stability. There's a good, steady bite going on...and the big fish are primed to get into that full-late season action that keeps me out of my tree-stand this time of year.
Look for active feeders between 8-12 and 12-18 FOW. The fish will hold on the edges of major structural elements, moving in a couple times a day to forage. You can connect with them in both positions.
Around the area:
Pewaukee Lake: Giving up fish consistently, but average size has been on the lower side compared to the last couple years. Major WMT tournament on the water this weekend...and fishing pressure has been heavy.
Okauchee Lake: Slow and steady is the word. Less fish reported than Pewaukee, but better average size. Stumpy Bay has been very hot, especially along the inside turns of the steep breaks. Edges of the North Flat and Road Bed have been productive, as have areas with visible baitfish in Bay Five. Water is low and access to Garvin Lake, always a late season hotspot, is limited.
Oconomowoc Lake: River is down a bit, but still okay for most boats...watch the turns. Fishing has been steady with several low to mid 40 inch class fish reported in the last ten days.
Fowler Lake: No reports.
Lac Labelle: Action at about average pace, maybe a little lower. Musky population in Labelle is lower than some of the other lakes, but as is typical for Labelle reports...the size is much bigger. Two fish in the high 40" class were reported this week.
Other action: Rock River fishing has been slow. Fish are being caught, but they are largely undersized. Legal walleyes have been hard to come by, and whitebass action has not picked up.
Local lakes: Still some pike biting, especially on live bait...but nothing important enough to note. Pretty and Moose have been active, but reports are getting thin. Bass fishing is okay on the warmer sunny days. Flipping jigs to open spots in deep weed edges is still productive, along with buzzbaits fished tight to shallow cover. Sunny afternoons are still pulling some fish up on to the shallow rockbars that are adjacent to deeper water. Regardless...not too many people out chasing bass or pike right now. Panfish are still hanging at the ends of major points...look for the biggest pannies at the bottom of the schools you can find in 12-18 FOW.
Good Luck....
CT
Friday, October 26, 2012
Fishing Report 10-26-12
Well, its fall and the weatherman says you'll know it by the end of the weekend.
River fishing is picking up after the rains. Flows are marginal, and water levels low, but action is getting better on the Rock between the Jefferson Dam and the mouth at Blackhawk, below the Dam on the Wisconsin River in the Dells, and in stretches of the Fox (Oshkosh) and Wolf rivers.
The bite in every case is a multi-species bite, but reports are picking up in the wake of the solid rains.
Closer to home, reports have most of the musky lakes in a post-turnover state. Water temps are in the High 40's to Low 50's. Musky fishing has been slow, but steady but many of the fish coming in have been sub 40 inches (now the legal limit on our lakes).
Pewaukee has been good for numbers, with suckers and gliders catching most of the fish there.
Okauchee has been slow, but a couple of mid-40 inch fish were reported in the last week.
Fowler has been giving up some shorter fish, but the weeds are still making sections of the lake hard to fish.
Lac Labelle has been slow, but I haven't talked to many people who have been on it fishing, and they were chasing late season walleyes.
Oconomowoc has been better than average, with some very nice mid to high 40 inch fish reported over the last 10 days. Suckers have been converting lots of fish, especially the lazy follows Oconomowoc is known for.
Good Luck,
CT
River fishing is picking up after the rains. Flows are marginal, and water levels low, but action is getting better on the Rock between the Jefferson Dam and the mouth at Blackhawk, below the Dam on the Wisconsin River in the Dells, and in stretches of the Fox (Oshkosh) and Wolf rivers.
The bite in every case is a multi-species bite, but reports are picking up in the wake of the solid rains.
Closer to home, reports have most of the musky lakes in a post-turnover state. Water temps are in the High 40's to Low 50's. Musky fishing has been slow, but steady but many of the fish coming in have been sub 40 inches (now the legal limit on our lakes).
Pewaukee has been good for numbers, with suckers and gliders catching most of the fish there.
Okauchee has been slow, but a couple of mid-40 inch fish were reported in the last week.
Fowler has been giving up some shorter fish, but the weeds are still making sections of the lake hard to fish.
Lac Labelle has been slow, but I haven't talked to many people who have been on it fishing, and they were chasing late season walleyes.
Oconomowoc has been better than average, with some very nice mid to high 40 inch fish reported over the last 10 days. Suckers have been converting lots of fish, especially the lazy follows Oconomowoc is known for.
Good Luck,
CT
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
A day on the water with Edwin Evers?!?
Organization Website is here.
Cheers,
CT
Friday, October 12, 2012
Condition and Fishing Report 10-12-12
Greetings again.
We've moved to a late fall situation on the water. If we get the heavy rain that's forecast for this weekend, things could get interesting.
On the local lakes, water temps are in the High 40's to Low 50's. Weeds are still very thick, but starting to die back. I was amazed how thick they were in places when I was on the water today. Plus, there is still massive quantities of visible baitfish, schooled up and swimming around. Simply unprecedented for this point in the season.
Turnover: Because it is the question on everyone's mind, I didn't see signs of a turnover, (ie lots of floating organics) but the water was very clear today, so maybe its has come and gone. Greg at Musky Mikes pointed out that the wind could have settled things this week, which seems like a reasonable explanation.
In terms of the fishing, I have a couple of things to report. The consensus opinion is that fishing has been slow, but it seems that it may have as much to do with the fact that, in relative terms, only a few people are fishing right now. Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Lac-Labelle and Fowler have been essentially empty for a couple of weeks. This is close to peak for Musky fishing season, but reports place very few people (again in relative terms) on the water.
Close to home, Bass, Pike and Musky are active, although fishing conditions vary day to day. It's live bait season for trophy fish. Typically the first deep break will hold fish, but I was seeing baitfish along shallow weed edges today, and I missed my hookset a good sized musky in an area with active baitfish running the weed-tops.
As thick as the weeds are, I'm sure you could flip, or jig and pork LM bass out of weed clumps, or use a buzzbait tight to shallow cover, especially on warm afternoons. If you want to chase smallmouth, large or jumbo shiners are a great late season live bait option. Either way, I'd concentrate on rocky structure with some scattered weeds that gets some direct sunlight, and I'd try and fish during the warm part of sunny days.
Pike are active and using the weed edges. Spinnerbaits, spoons and crankbaits will catch fish, but a smaller sucker on a slip sinker rig can really get the job done on the weed edges in 12-18FOW.
Musky fishing is slow, but I can't imagine that staying the case. I'm wondering if it seems slower because of the low number of people on the water, but I can say that some of my go-to spots for this time of year are so thick with weeds as to be difficult to fish. If you go out, make sure to have at least one sucker out, as many fish that come in on a bait, will grab a nearby sucker this time of year.
River fishing has been slow to non-existent, but if we get a couple inches of rain, there should be some activity on the Rock and Wisconsin Rivers. I haven't gotten any positive reports from the Fox in Oshkosh, or from Jefferson in the last two weeks. A few whitebass were being caught below Ft Atkinson, but stress on the few.
Good Luck and Cheers,
CT
We've moved to a late fall situation on the water. If we get the heavy rain that's forecast for this weekend, things could get interesting.
On the local lakes, water temps are in the High 40's to Low 50's. Weeds are still very thick, but starting to die back. I was amazed how thick they were in places when I was on the water today. Plus, there is still massive quantities of visible baitfish, schooled up and swimming around. Simply unprecedented for this point in the season.
Turnover: Because it is the question on everyone's mind, I didn't see signs of a turnover, (ie lots of floating organics) but the water was very clear today, so maybe its has come and gone. Greg at Musky Mikes pointed out that the wind could have settled things this week, which seems like a reasonable explanation.
In terms of the fishing, I have a couple of things to report. The consensus opinion is that fishing has been slow, but it seems that it may have as much to do with the fact that, in relative terms, only a few people are fishing right now. Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Lac-Labelle and Fowler have been essentially empty for a couple of weeks. This is close to peak for Musky fishing season, but reports place very few people (again in relative terms) on the water.
Close to home, Bass, Pike and Musky are active, although fishing conditions vary day to day. It's live bait season for trophy fish. Typically the first deep break will hold fish, but I was seeing baitfish along shallow weed edges today, and I missed my hookset a good sized musky in an area with active baitfish running the weed-tops.
As thick as the weeds are, I'm sure you could flip, or jig and pork LM bass out of weed clumps, or use a buzzbait tight to shallow cover, especially on warm afternoons. If you want to chase smallmouth, large or jumbo shiners are a great late season live bait option. Either way, I'd concentrate on rocky structure with some scattered weeds that gets some direct sunlight, and I'd try and fish during the warm part of sunny days.
Pike are active and using the weed edges. Spinnerbaits, spoons and crankbaits will catch fish, but a smaller sucker on a slip sinker rig can really get the job done on the weed edges in 12-18FOW.
Musky fishing is slow, but I can't imagine that staying the case. I'm wondering if it seems slower because of the low number of people on the water, but I can say that some of my go-to spots for this time of year are so thick with weeds as to be difficult to fish. If you go out, make sure to have at least one sucker out, as many fish that come in on a bait, will grab a nearby sucker this time of year.
River fishing has been slow to non-existent, but if we get a couple inches of rain, there should be some activity on the Rock and Wisconsin Rivers. I haven't gotten any positive reports from the Fox in Oshkosh, or from Jefferson in the last two weeks. A few whitebass were being caught below Ft Atkinson, but stress on the few.
Good Luck and Cheers,
CT
Friday, September 28, 2012
Fishing Report 9-28-12
Fall, it can frustrate you.
The nice weather this week definitely slowed the fishing down some. Plenty of fish biting though. Many lakes still have hug schools of baitfish swimming around. Weeds are browning, but still thick, and water is high 50's to low 60's on most lakes in the area.
Panfish are in a full fall position. Tight to cover, and feeding aggressively in a couple of time periods a day. Bluegills are staged along weedlines at the end of major points or other mainlake structure. Look for bigger gills along the bottom, as deep as 25'. Crappie are suspended over deeper wood or humps, and some bigger crappie are being reported from 18-22' depths.
Bass fishing is baitfish related. Find bait, and you'll find the fish. Most fish are making a couple foraging runs a day, holding just off of transition areas, before moving in to feed during the warmer parts of the day. The water is cooler than the book says, but topwater bass fishing with minnow imitators can by absolutely dynamite this time of year. A deep-diving crankbait (I like Wiggle Warts and Norman D22's in natural color patterns) fished along sharp breaks can also produce some bigger fish. The livebait bite will get good as temperatures cool off again.
Pike fishing has been about average. You can still head out and fish shallow flats with clumps of weeds with a spinner, buzzbait or lipless crankbait and catch smaller pike. The bigger fish haven't made a move in from the deep wedlines yet and can be caught fishing larger plastics (like a reaper) or on slip-sinker live bait rigs. If you want to target pike, I'd hit the smaller lakes like Golden or Pretty and go after them with medium sized suckers or if you can get them, jumbo golden shiners.
Walleye fishing is still spotty. Water temperatures will need to drop some more before the fishing really picks up. The fish are in mid-depth weeds, but haven't turned on the way I would have expected them to just yet. A few walleyes are starting to turn up in the local rivers (Fox, Wisconsin and Rock), but the bite has been slow, and the water levels are lower than in recent memory. Stay tuned.
White bass reports are also starting to trickle in from Oshkosh, Freemont and Jefferson. I'd say its still early, but the water level is going to dictate how the fall river runs go this year.
Musky fishing is slow, but steady. Weed edges in 10-18 FOW have been productive. It is always a solid idea to keep a sucker out when casting, as many of the lazy follows you get will convert on the sucker you have hanging over the side. I personally raised fish on a bucktail, glider and Bulldawg this week, but Suicks are a traditional early fall favorite.
Good Luck,
CT
The nice weather this week definitely slowed the fishing down some. Plenty of fish biting though. Many lakes still have hug schools of baitfish swimming around. Weeds are browning, but still thick, and water is high 50's to low 60's on most lakes in the area.
Panfish are in a full fall position. Tight to cover, and feeding aggressively in a couple of time periods a day. Bluegills are staged along weedlines at the end of major points or other mainlake structure. Look for bigger gills along the bottom, as deep as 25'. Crappie are suspended over deeper wood or humps, and some bigger crappie are being reported from 18-22' depths.
Bass fishing is baitfish related. Find bait, and you'll find the fish. Most fish are making a couple foraging runs a day, holding just off of transition areas, before moving in to feed during the warmer parts of the day. The water is cooler than the book says, but topwater bass fishing with minnow imitators can by absolutely dynamite this time of year. A deep-diving crankbait (I like Wiggle Warts and Norman D22's in natural color patterns) fished along sharp breaks can also produce some bigger fish. The livebait bite will get good as temperatures cool off again.
Pike fishing has been about average. You can still head out and fish shallow flats with clumps of weeds with a spinner, buzzbait or lipless crankbait and catch smaller pike. The bigger fish haven't made a move in from the deep wedlines yet and can be caught fishing larger plastics (like a reaper) or on slip-sinker live bait rigs. If you want to target pike, I'd hit the smaller lakes like Golden or Pretty and go after them with medium sized suckers or if you can get them, jumbo golden shiners.
Walleye fishing is still spotty. Water temperatures will need to drop some more before the fishing really picks up. The fish are in mid-depth weeds, but haven't turned on the way I would have expected them to just yet. A few walleyes are starting to turn up in the local rivers (Fox, Wisconsin and Rock), but the bite has been slow, and the water levels are lower than in recent memory. Stay tuned.
White bass reports are also starting to trickle in from Oshkosh, Freemont and Jefferson. I'd say its still early, but the water level is going to dictate how the fall river runs go this year.
Musky fishing is slow, but steady. Weed edges in 10-18 FOW have been productive. It is always a solid idea to keep a sucker out when casting, as many of the lazy follows you get will convert on the sucker you have hanging over the side. I personally raised fish on a bucktail, glider and Bulldawg this week, but Suicks are a traditional early fall favorite.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, September 21, 2012
Fishing Report 9-21-12
Things have been busy for me personally, but by all accounts I've gotten, I haven't been missing much on the water. I expect that assessment to change.
Panfish have moved to the fall patterns. Look for keepers at the ends of long weedy points, or suspended around shallow grass in current areas. Plastics tipped with small live bait are usually solid options this time of year, but don't overlook the use of larger live bait for keepers.
LM Bass fishing has settled into a traditional early fall pattern. Fish will bite periodically through out the day, but usually in short feeding spurts. They'll hang tight to cover early, but get more active around 10am. Be ready to move around to find active fish, but concentrate on areas with rock/weed transitions.
SM Bass fishing...it is time to break out the live bait. Fish will relate to breaklines, moving up to shallow water to feed, but then out to deep water between feeding runs. Deeper breaks off of points or shallow rocky areas are the best place to start. Don't be shy about the live bait, but deep diving crankbaits in white or crawfish patterns can save a day this time of year.
Pike fishing has picked up, with anglers reporting lots of action from smaller pike. In-line spinners, small bucktails and large plastics (especially reapers) are catching most of the fish. Look for them around weed clumps on the flat areas between 4-12 FOW.
Walleye fishing has been dead for the last ten days. I expect the fishing to get better as the weather stabilizes over the next period of time. A few anglers have been heading to the rivers to get a jump on the fall runs. Water levels are reported as very low, especially along the Rock River. Watch those lower units.
Musky fishing has been a little slower than I would have expected. Usually the first cold snap really triggers some significant activity, but based on reports, I'd say its below average. As stated, the weather has been a bit unstable, so that might have something to do with it. It is sure to pick up soon. In the meantime, gliders, dawgs, bucktails and jerkbaits are solid options, but it is sucker season, make sure to keep one out while targeting muskies.
Good Luck,
CT
Panfish have moved to the fall patterns. Look for keepers at the ends of long weedy points, or suspended around shallow grass in current areas. Plastics tipped with small live bait are usually solid options this time of year, but don't overlook the use of larger live bait for keepers.
LM Bass fishing has settled into a traditional early fall pattern. Fish will bite periodically through out the day, but usually in short feeding spurts. They'll hang tight to cover early, but get more active around 10am. Be ready to move around to find active fish, but concentrate on areas with rock/weed transitions.
SM Bass fishing...it is time to break out the live bait. Fish will relate to breaklines, moving up to shallow water to feed, but then out to deep water between feeding runs. Deeper breaks off of points or shallow rocky areas are the best place to start. Don't be shy about the live bait, but deep diving crankbaits in white or crawfish patterns can save a day this time of year.
Pike fishing has picked up, with anglers reporting lots of action from smaller pike. In-line spinners, small bucktails and large plastics (especially reapers) are catching most of the fish. Look for them around weed clumps on the flat areas between 4-12 FOW.
Walleye fishing has been dead for the last ten days. I expect the fishing to get better as the weather stabilizes over the next period of time. A few anglers have been heading to the rivers to get a jump on the fall runs. Water levels are reported as very low, especially along the Rock River. Watch those lower units.
Musky fishing has been a little slower than I would have expected. Usually the first cold snap really triggers some significant activity, but based on reports, I'd say its below average. As stated, the weather has been a bit unstable, so that might have something to do with it. It is sure to pick up soon. In the meantime, gliders, dawgs, bucktails and jerkbaits are solid options, but it is sucker season, make sure to keep one out while targeting muskies.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, September 14, 2012
Fishing Report 9-14-12
Hey,
Sorry about last weeks report, I didn't realize it wasn't posted.
I love September. I wish I had more fishing time, but my professorial duties are more involved in fall than summer....add in the kids, a second job...and wow, its amazing how time flies. Some of the best fishing of the year is between now and the end of the season.
The cooler nights are changing the conditions on local lakes. Water temps have dropped significantly, and are in the mid to high 60's on most lakes. On warmer sunny days, lakes may be as warm as the low to mid 70's. Much depends on what the night proceeding your fishing trip was like. The weeds are still very thick, but the baitfish schools are starting to thin out as fish put on the feedbag. In other words, it is time.
Bass fishing has been steady for a couple weeks. Fish are relating to the ends of points, and inside weed edges. A couple times a day, small schools of fish will make a foraging run into shallower water. Small crankbaits can be dynamite this time of year, especially for numbers, but skirted grubs and jig/chunks are my go to baits most days, Smallmouth usually go on a tear on our area lakes in the fall, and we're just on the front side of this happening this year. If you're having trouble connecting with active fish, look for the in the deep water, adjacent to the shallow structure. Plastics, cranks and jigs will work, but as the days get shorter, live bait will become a better option for big fish.
Walleye fishing is slowly starting to pick up on the area rivers, although the water is still way down on most of them. On the area lakes, the fish will be anywhere there's baitfish around weeds or rock/weed transition areas in 8-12 or 15-22 feet of water. If you catch one, fish through the area very methodically. I'm still catching a few pulling slow death rigs around the ends of points and along weed edges, but the bite is inconsistent at times.
Pike fishing has been steady and getting better. Pike will remain active in 10-22 feet of water along weed edges, points or sand/gravel transition areas. Spinners are always a solid option for pike, but as the water cools I usually switch back to crankbaits, especially lipless crankbaits in a gold or silver pattern or wide wobbling deep divers in natural or red/white patterns. Jerkbaits are also a great option right now, especially suspenders worked around weed clumps where there are visible baitfish.
Musky fishing is set to get really good. Now is the time to start working for this years trophy. Gliders, bucktails and jerkbaits are all solid options for casting, and remember to keep a sucker out on a quick strike rig for lazy followers. Right now, look for the them to be using weeds in 12-15 feet of water or rocks in 6-12 feet of water. The fish can be really shallow, even in the middle part of a sunny day, so be ready to be mobile.
Good Luck,
CT
Sorry about last weeks report, I didn't realize it wasn't posted.
I love September. I wish I had more fishing time, but my professorial duties are more involved in fall than summer....add in the kids, a second job...and wow, its amazing how time flies. Some of the best fishing of the year is between now and the end of the season.
The cooler nights are changing the conditions on local lakes. Water temps have dropped significantly, and are in the mid to high 60's on most lakes. On warmer sunny days, lakes may be as warm as the low to mid 70's. Much depends on what the night proceeding your fishing trip was like. The weeds are still very thick, but the baitfish schools are starting to thin out as fish put on the feedbag. In other words, it is time.
Bass fishing has been steady for a couple weeks. Fish are relating to the ends of points, and inside weed edges. A couple times a day, small schools of fish will make a foraging run into shallower water. Small crankbaits can be dynamite this time of year, especially for numbers, but skirted grubs and jig/chunks are my go to baits most days, Smallmouth usually go on a tear on our area lakes in the fall, and we're just on the front side of this happening this year. If you're having trouble connecting with active fish, look for the in the deep water, adjacent to the shallow structure. Plastics, cranks and jigs will work, but as the days get shorter, live bait will become a better option for big fish.
Walleye fishing is slowly starting to pick up on the area rivers, although the water is still way down on most of them. On the area lakes, the fish will be anywhere there's baitfish around weeds or rock/weed transition areas in 8-12 or 15-22 feet of water. If you catch one, fish through the area very methodically. I'm still catching a few pulling slow death rigs around the ends of points and along weed edges, but the bite is inconsistent at times.
Pike fishing has been steady and getting better. Pike will remain active in 10-22 feet of water along weed edges, points or sand/gravel transition areas. Spinners are always a solid option for pike, but as the water cools I usually switch back to crankbaits, especially lipless crankbaits in a gold or silver pattern or wide wobbling deep divers in natural or red/white patterns. Jerkbaits are also a great option right now, especially suspenders worked around weed clumps where there are visible baitfish.
Musky fishing is set to get really good. Now is the time to start working for this years trophy. Gliders, bucktails and jerkbaits are all solid options for casting, and remember to keep a sucker out on a quick strike rig for lazy followers. Right now, look for the them to be using weeds in 12-15 feet of water or rocks in 6-12 feet of water. The fish can be really shallow, even in the middle part of a sunny day, so be ready to be mobile.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, September 7, 2012
Big Ten Fishing Tournament
From the Badger Fishing Team...host of this year's Big Ten. They are searching for volunteers to drive boats for the tournament:
A few years ago, the organizers of the event thought it would be a good idea to
secure “volunteer boaters” to enable those without a boat to participate in the event,
something that was not done in previous years. Volunteer boaters are community
members who graciously donate their boat and, most importantly, their weekend
time to take one two-man team from a school in need out fishing, allowing them to
compete in the tournament. Speaking from personal experience, the UW would not
have been able to compete in the last three Big Ten tournaments in Michigan if it
weren’t for volunteer boaters, something we greatly appreciated.
6) A little background information on your boat (make and model and size of
outboard would be adequate).
Volunteer Boater Information
Every year for the past 10+ years, the Big Ten schools have held a one-day
tournament in the fall, appropriately labeled the Big Ten Bass Tournament. This
year, the UW was chosen to host it, which we will the weekend of September 29 and
30, 2012, on the Madison Chain.
Every year for the past 10+ years, the Big Ten schools have held a one-day
tournament in the fall, appropriately labeled the Big Ten Bass Tournament. This
year, the UW was chosen to host it, which we will the weekend of September 29 and
30, 2012, on the Madison Chain.
A few years ago, the organizers of the event thought it would be a good idea to
secure “volunteer boaters” to enable those without a boat to participate in the event,
something that was not done in previous years. Volunteer boaters are community
members who graciously donate their boat and, most importantly, their weekend
time to take one two-man team from a school in need out fishing, allowing them to
compete in the tournament. Speaking from personal experience, the UW would not
have been able to compete in the last three Big Ten tournaments in Michigan if it
weren’t for volunteer boaters, something we greatly appreciated.
With that said, we are looking for as many volunteer boaters as possible to
make this year’s event a success! Please read through the information below, and if
you’re interested in helping us out, either as a definite yes or even a maybe, please
email Levi Warner at lwarner@wisc.edu with the requested information no later
than September 15, so we can start formally organizing boats. If you have any
additional questions, feel free to email Levi at the address above, or call him at (920)
740-9085. Also, if you know of anyone who may be interested in helping us out, we
would greatly appreciate it if you passed this information along to them. Thank you!
make this year’s event a success! Please read through the information below, and if
you’re interested in helping us out, either as a definite yes or even a maybe, please
email Levi Warner at lwarner@wisc.edu with the requested information no later
than September 15, so we can start formally organizing boats. If you have any
additional questions, feel free to email Levi at the address above, or call him at (920)
740-9085. Also, if you know of anyone who may be interested in helping us out, we
would greatly appreciate it if you passed this information along to them. Thank you!
Date and Location: September 29 and 30, 2012, on the Madison Chain.
Description of Days: September 29 is the official prefishing day, and September 30 is
the actual tournament day. We would need volunteer boaters for both days (one
volunteer boater would take the same anglers fishing both days), so we would need a
commitment for the entire weekend, barring unavoidable circumstances.
the actual tournament day. We would need volunteer boaters for both days (one
volunteer boater would take the same anglers fishing both days), so we would need a
commitment for the entire weekend, barring unavoidable circumstances.
Procedure: If you’ve ever helped FLW out by being a volunteer boater for their
college events, the process is very similar. For the most part, the anglers are
responsible for contacting their volunteer boater and coordinating the weekend with
them. Anglers will be given your contact information so they’ll be calling you close to
the time of the event. On Saturday, there is no certain time anglers need to be off
the water at (unless they are attending the banquet; more on this later), and there is
no official landing anglers need to launch from. Again, anglers are responsible for
contacting their boater to agree on time and location. On Sunday, anglers are
required (and boaters are suggested) to be at the pretournament meeting at 6:00 am,
with tournament hours running 6:45 am – 3 pm. During both of these days,
volunteer boaters will operate the outboard motor, taking the anglers wherever they
desire to go, and the anglers will operate the trolling motor once at the spot.
college events, the process is very similar. For the most part, the anglers are
responsible for contacting their volunteer boater and coordinating the weekend with
them. Anglers will be given your contact information so they’ll be calling you close to
the time of the event. On Saturday, there is no certain time anglers need to be off
the water at (unless they are attending the banquet; more on this later), and there is
no official landing anglers need to launch from. Again, anglers are responsible for
contacting their boater to agree on time and location. On Sunday, anglers are
required (and boaters are suggested) to be at the pretournament meeting at 6:00 am,
with tournament hours running 6:45 am – 3 pm. During both of these days,
volunteer boaters will operate the outboard motor, taking the anglers wherever they
desire to go, and the anglers will operate the trolling motor once at the spot.
Volunteer boaters are not allowed to suggest fishing lures, locations, etc., or operate
the trolling motor, electronics, etc., for the college anglers. Disqualification will
result if any of this takes place. This is to keep the playing field level for those who
bring their own boat to the event. Boat volunteers are allowed, and encouraged, to
fish with the college anglers on Saturday, but not on Sunday.
the trolling motor, electronics, etc., for the college anglers. Disqualification will
result if any of this takes place. This is to keep the playing field level for those who
bring their own boat to the event. Boat volunteers are allowed, and encouraged, to
fish with the college anglers on Saturday, but not on Sunday.
Reimbursement: Because volunteer boaters already donate their boat and time to
the event, we try to make the weekend as cheap as possible for them. A reasonable
reimbursement for boat gas will be decided upon between the anglers and their
volunteer boater. The landing fee for Saturday will be paid by the college anglers.
The landing fee for Sunday will be free, courtesy of the Dane County Conservation.
The UW will not be providing assistance to volunteer boaters for gas expenses to the
event location or lodging, because as much as we’d like to, our budget will not allow
it. However, to show our appreciation, every volunteer boater is invited to attend the
banquet dinner (more on this below) free of charge!
the event, we try to make the weekend as cheap as possible for them. A reasonable
reimbursement for boat gas will be decided upon between the anglers and their
volunteer boater. The landing fee for Saturday will be paid by the college anglers.
The landing fee for Sunday will be free, courtesy of the Dane County Conservation.
The UW will not be providing assistance to volunteer boaters for gas expenses to the
event location or lodging, because as much as we’d like to, our budget will not allow
it. However, to show our appreciation, every volunteer boater is invited to attend the
banquet dinner (more on this below) free of charge!
Banquet: As mentioned above, a banquet will be held the night of September 29, at 7
pm, at the Bishop O’Connor Center (702 South High Point Road, Madison, WI
53719). Boat volunteers, if they wish, can attend the banquet and enjoy dinner at no
cost to them. The banquet will be a catered buffet dinner, so no one should leave
hungry! In addition to the food, important rules for the event will be highlighted and
boat numbers will be drawn. A raffle will also be held for some great prizes from our
sponsors, such as St. Croix and Rapala, so bring a couple extra bucks for tickets!
pm, at the Bishop O’Connor Center (702 South High Point Road, Madison, WI
53719). Boat volunteers, if they wish, can attend the banquet and enjoy dinner at no
cost to them. The banquet will be a catered buffet dinner, so no one should leave
hungry! In addition to the food, important rules for the event will be highlighted and
boat numbers will be drawn. A raffle will also be held for some great prizes from our
sponsors, such as St. Croix and Rapala, so bring a couple extra bucks for tickets!
Requested Information: If you’re still interested in helping us out after reading
through this (which we hope you are), please send Levi Warner the following
information via email at lwarner@wisc.edu:
through this (which we hope you are), please send Levi Warner the following
information via email at lwarner@wisc.edu:
1) Name:
2) Phone:
3) Email:
4) Address:
5) Your commitment for the event (100% certain you can help, pretty sure you
can help, or just interested at this time)
2) Phone:
3) Email:
4) Address:
5) Your commitment for the event (100% certain you can help, pretty sure you
can help, or just interested at this time)
6) A little background information on your boat (make and model and size of
outboard would be adequate).
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to your assistance in helping make
this event a success!
this event a success!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Fall Trips/Fall Deal
I dislike these shameless self promotion posts, but here's one anyway.
I'm starting to get some inquiries about fall fishing, and more specifically, fall musky fishing. Generically my answer is yes, I'm available, but as many of you know, I am also a lecturer at UW-Milwaukee. Complicating things further, my wife is due to have our fourth child at the end of November. So there's a scheduling issue or two to consider. I like to put my cards on the table with people, but that said, don't hesitate to call. I'm sure something can be worked out.
Your best bet if you are interested in fishing with me this fall, is to pick some of your available days, and then email me to sort out the details. I'll craft your trip to meet your needs or skill level.
My schedule is a little varied, but I have openings most weeks on Tuesdays and then Thursday-Sunday, and yes, some dates are already booked. If you've got something in mind...well, contact me now to avoid disappointment later.
Given the success of my August special, I'm also going to run things a little different this year. Normally I raise my rate for fall to cover the cost of live bait, especially the cost of suckers. This year, I'm going charge special rates for September and October ($150 for 4 hours, $200 for a half day (6 Hours) and $350 for a full day (10-12 hours).) The special price will not include live bait, but if you want to have live bait along, (and we can decide that based on conditions) you'll pay the actual cost of the bait. (and have the option of keeping any that we buy that we don't use)
Fall fishing is a great time to chase bigger fish, regardless of what species you are after. Bass, Walleye, Pike and/or Musky options are available.
Cheers,
CT
I'm starting to get some inquiries about fall fishing, and more specifically, fall musky fishing. Generically my answer is yes, I'm available, but as many of you know, I am also a lecturer at UW-Milwaukee. Complicating things further, my wife is due to have our fourth child at the end of November. So there's a scheduling issue or two to consider. I like to put my cards on the table with people, but that said, don't hesitate to call. I'm sure something can be worked out.
Your best bet if you are interested in fishing with me this fall, is to pick some of your available days, and then email me to sort out the details. I'll craft your trip to meet your needs or skill level.
My schedule is a little varied, but I have openings most weeks on Tuesdays and then Thursday-Sunday, and yes, some dates are already booked. If you've got something in mind...well, contact me now to avoid disappointment later.
Given the success of my August special, I'm also going to run things a little different this year. Normally I raise my rate for fall to cover the cost of live bait, especially the cost of suckers. This year, I'm going charge special rates for September and October ($150 for 4 hours, $200 for a half day (6 Hours) and $350 for a full day (10-12 hours).) The special price will not include live bait, but if you want to have live bait along, (and we can decide that based on conditions) you'll pay the actual cost of the bait. (and have the option of keeping any that we buy that we don't use)
Fall fishing is a great time to chase bigger fish, regardless of what species you are after. Bass, Walleye, Pike and/or Musky options are available.
Cheers,
CT
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Labor Day Weekend Preview/Fishing report
Fishing is going about average overall, but day to day there have been
challenges. Labor Day weekend is typically a period of unstable weather, which makes
patterning fish hard from day to day.
Note: There's some sort of second Okauchee "Tie up" happening this weekend. It sounds like it will be in front of Foolery's Bar, on Lower Okauchee. Just FYI.
Water levels vary from system to system, but weed growth is still very heavy, Water temps are in the low to mid 70's.
Panfish have slowed down over the last two weeks. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water, as well as in mid-depth weeds, but keepers have been hard to come by consitently. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce. Evenings have been better, as is typical for this time of year. (School Section, Lower Geneessee, Lower Nashotah, Forest and Golden)
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On the hot sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep in 12-15 FOW. On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. Topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning. (Silver, Moose, Ashippun, Okauchee, Nagawicka, Garvin)
Smallmouth fishing has been spotty. If you can find some active fish, you can do well, but making that connection can be a tough nut to crack. Look for them around the edges of the shallow structure like rock bars or sand/rock transition areas. The fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite.(Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, Pine and North)
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water. (Okauchee, Nagawicka, Moose, Emily School Section, Pretty and Kessus)
Walleye fishing has been entirely inconsistent lately. People still fishing at night are reporting some success off the deeper sand flat areas, but a few decent fish are being caught out of the shallow weeds very early in the morning using rapalas or similar minnow baits. (North, Nagawicka, Pine and Oconomowoc.)
Musky are getting more active, but anglers are still reporting lots of lazy follows. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced limited action in the past week, but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably.
Good Luck,
CT
Note: There's some sort of second Okauchee "Tie up" happening this weekend. It sounds like it will be in front of Foolery's Bar, on Lower Okauchee. Just FYI.
Water levels vary from system to system, but weed growth is still very heavy, Water temps are in the low to mid 70's.
Panfish have slowed down over the last two weeks. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water, as well as in mid-depth weeds, but keepers have been hard to come by consitently. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce. Evenings have been better, as is typical for this time of year. (School Section, Lower Geneessee, Lower Nashotah, Forest and Golden)
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On the hot sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep in 12-15 FOW. On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. Topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning. (Silver, Moose, Ashippun, Okauchee, Nagawicka, Garvin)
Smallmouth fishing has been spotty. If you can find some active fish, you can do well, but making that connection can be a tough nut to crack. Look for them around the edges of the shallow structure like rock bars or sand/rock transition areas. The fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite.(Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, Pine and North)
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water. (Okauchee, Nagawicka, Moose, Emily School Section, Pretty and Kessus)
Walleye fishing has been entirely inconsistent lately. People still fishing at night are reporting some success off the deeper sand flat areas, but a few decent fish are being caught out of the shallow weeds very early in the morning using rapalas or similar minnow baits. (North, Nagawicka, Pine and Oconomowoc.)
Musky are getting more active, but anglers are still reporting lots of lazy follows. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced limited action in the past week, but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably.
Good Luck,
CT
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Fishing Report 8-19-12
Sorry for the late post.
Fishing started to make a fall transition the last week. The nights have been very cool, and there has been a distinct drop in water temperature. Area Lakes are in the Low to Mid 70's, and expect that to drop off a bit.
Panfish are still deep, but more of them are moving to the weededges. This is classic early fall behavior. While I was out this week, I marked huge schools in 12-18 FOW right on the edges of the weeds. Slip bobbers with live bait is usually the best way to get at these fish, but tightlining vertically will also produce. Either way, contact with your presentation will be key. Down-size your hook a bit to help keep the weeds off your line.
Bass are making the move. I've still not seen a consistent batch of fish kicking up softshells. It's pretty late in the month for the molt, so I'm starting to wonder if the winter/weather this year was hard on the crayfish, or in some way changed the seasonal pattern. I've been on the water a bunch, so I didn't miss it, but I'm also at a loss to when it is going to occur. Regardless, the bass are moving to mid-depth weeds in packs. Look for schooled up fish on shallow inside turns, or around clumps of weeds on mid-depth (6-10 FOW) flat areas. On a cloudy day, topwater fishing with a floating Rapala or Pop-R can really produce, but wacky, skirted grubs, shaky heads and texas rigs are all producing. Caught some nice fish this week on a jig/chunk and jig/craw combos, and on gold flake jigworms.
Walleye fishing, at least locally, is still very slow. My usual sources for information on the walleye bite have been pretty quiet lately, but I expect that to change as fall encroaches. Stay Tuned.
Northern Pike fishing is picking up. Deep weedlines are still holding lots of fish. A few guys are starting to pick up some nicer pike using large-jumbo shiners, slow trolling along the weedlines. Cranks, spinners are reapers have all been productive as well.
Musky Fishing is set to pick up some as the days get shorter. With the water back in the 70's expect to see more people chucking hardware. For now, bucktails, gliders and jerkbaits are solid bets, especially ones with gold flash or in a perch pattern.
Cheers,
CT
Fishing started to make a fall transition the last week. The nights have been very cool, and there has been a distinct drop in water temperature. Area Lakes are in the Low to Mid 70's, and expect that to drop off a bit.
Panfish are still deep, but more of them are moving to the weededges. This is classic early fall behavior. While I was out this week, I marked huge schools in 12-18 FOW right on the edges of the weeds. Slip bobbers with live bait is usually the best way to get at these fish, but tightlining vertically will also produce. Either way, contact with your presentation will be key. Down-size your hook a bit to help keep the weeds off your line.
Bass are making the move. I've still not seen a consistent batch of fish kicking up softshells. It's pretty late in the month for the molt, so I'm starting to wonder if the winter/weather this year was hard on the crayfish, or in some way changed the seasonal pattern. I've been on the water a bunch, so I didn't miss it, but I'm also at a loss to when it is going to occur. Regardless, the bass are moving to mid-depth weeds in packs. Look for schooled up fish on shallow inside turns, or around clumps of weeds on mid-depth (6-10 FOW) flat areas. On a cloudy day, topwater fishing with a floating Rapala or Pop-R can really produce, but wacky, skirted grubs, shaky heads and texas rigs are all producing. Caught some nice fish this week on a jig/chunk and jig/craw combos, and on gold flake jigworms.
Walleye fishing, at least locally, is still very slow. My usual sources for information on the walleye bite have been pretty quiet lately, but I expect that to change as fall encroaches. Stay Tuned.
Northern Pike fishing is picking up. Deep weedlines are still holding lots of fish. A few guys are starting to pick up some nicer pike using large-jumbo shiners, slow trolling along the weedlines. Cranks, spinners are reapers have all been productive as well.
Musky Fishing is set to pick up some as the days get shorter. With the water back in the 70's expect to see more people chucking hardware. For now, bucktails, gliders and jerkbaits are solid bets, especially ones with gold flash or in a perch pattern.
Cheers,
CT
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