2014 Opener Preview

Hey there.

Here is my annual pre-opening weekend post. Look for an final update Friday, May 2nd with weather and water conditions from around the area.

For now, here's what to expect when you hit the water for the opener.

1.) Water temps in the low to mid fifties. Some isolated bays may be approaching 60 degrees, but only if the wind stays down, and the afternoons stay warm. Nighttime temperatures this week will dictate most of what happens next weekend.

2.) Limited new growth of weeds and very few old ones. The winter was verytough on the weeds. You may need to focus on wood and rocks. Not too many docks have been put in.

3.) I'd skip the morning run on Saturday, and focus my efforts in the warmer parts of the day. You may need to make some adjustments throughout the weekend as conditions change.

4.) Live bait, fished slowly is going to be a great way to kick off the season. I'd fish for pike or walleye and wait until the weather stabilizes a bit for bass.

5.) Local lakes are open, but the rivers are still active. Conditions vary greatly up north.

Fish Stocking- Trout: Full List is Here.

Trout:

Local Lakes with put and take trout this season include:
FOWLER LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1,979
LOWER GENESEE LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 2474 (No Brook Trout this year)
LOWER NASHOTAH LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1979
OTTAWA LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1485         


Panfish: Staging on weed flats and in marshy areas. Look for the warmest shallow water in the afternoons. Plastics tipped with waxworms, or small tail hooked minnows are catching fish, but they are running small. Strike zone is small, so make sure to make accurate casts if fishing for shallow, visible fish. (Best Local Options: Okauchee, Pine, Kessus, Nag, Lower Nashotah, Fowler, Middle Geneessee, Moose, Garvin and Golden)

Bass: Pre-Pre spawn. Look for small groups of fish to be cruising in the shallow water in the afternoons. Some of the early warming bays and channels may have some early bucks up in the shallow water, but I'd expect to see more schooling activity. Grubs, tubes and wacky are your best bets, but a jigworm might be the key approach. (Okauchee, Silver, Golden, Nag, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Kessus, Pewaukee, Beaver)

Action will come in spurts, but look for warmer water and any green weeds you can find. If the sun is out, rocks can pull in fish later in the day as they absorb heat. Large fish can be caught on suspending jerkbaits or slow rolled spinnerbait on the deep edges of points near spawning coves. If you're seeing bigger fish in the shallows, jig and pig in a black/blue, black/red or rootbeer pattern will produce. If you can find some fish out deep, a texas rigged lizard can land you the biggest bass of the season.

Northern: Lots of fish on the flats. Live bait, buzzbaits or lipless crankbaits will produce the most fish. Probably your best option for early fishing this weekend if you're looking for steady action. Big fish will be one breakline deeper than where the active, smaller fish are. Chrome or reflective lipless crankbaits will get your line stretched for sure as will a slip sinker rig with a jumbo shiner or small sucker.(Moose, Kessus, Nag, Emily, Okauchee, Pretty, Golden)

Walleye: Lots of fish on the 6-12 foot deep flat areas. Especially around, but out of the current, and in any shallow standing weeds you can find. Jigging the channel edges or points, lindy rigging and drifting or slow death trolling are good options. #11 or #13 floating rapalas will pull up any bigger fish you come across. (Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Pine, Fox, Nag and North)

Musky: Live baiting with suckers, small bucktails and jerkbaits are your best options for the opener. Most fish have spawned, but there are still some fish paired up in some of the spawning areas. A blue-back/chrome combo is speaking to me right now. (Lac Labelle, Pewaukee, Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Garvin, Fowler and North)

Getting ready: Need bait, equipment, or a fishing license? Do yourself a favor and buy from one of the locals.

Musky Mikes (Okauchee)

Dick Smith's (Delafield)

Smokey's  (Pewaukee)
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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 Shore Fishing 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 a nice park like area available to shore fisherman. The Launch area is just off Highway C, across from Cedar Bay road.

Lac La Belle: Public Fishing Pier Located in Memorial Park in downtown Oconomowoc.

Nashotah Park: Just off of the corner of HWY C and HWY R in Nashotah there is a park and ride. Across HWY R, there is a low fence that marks access to the Forest Lake area of Nashotah Park. Anglers have to hike down the hill, but the entire shoreline of the small lake is available for shore-fishing.

Fowler Lake: There is space for shore fishing by the Labelle/Fowler Dam, at the boat landing and in the Riverside Park. The lake is just off HWY 16 in Downtown Oconomowoc. The boat landing is behind city hall.

Nagawicka Lake: Two areas allow public shore fishing access. There is some space at the public launch in the County Park off of HWY 83 near Delafield. A second option allows you to access St John's Bay and a section of the Bark River. Take HWY C to where the Military Academy is. There is a small park just south of downtown Delafield on the east side of the road.

Pewaukee Lake: Located in Nagawaukee County Park on the west side of the lake. From I-94, north on State Highway 83 for 1/8 mile, east on County Highway DR 1 1/2 miles, north on County Highway E to park entrance. Park fee is charged. There is also a public fishing pier along the city strip near the beach on the east end.

Ottawa Lake: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From State Highway 67, west on County Highway ZZ for 1/3 mile to park entrance. State Park sticker required for entry.

Upper Genessee: Carry in boats and shore fishing are available. Parking is in a small gravel lot, just south of I-94, on the east side of HWY 67.

Paradise Springs: Located in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. From downtown Eagle, west 1 mile on State Highway 59 to County Highway N, north on N for about 1/2 mile to site. State Park sticker required for entry. Artificial lures only.

Lower Phantom Lake: Located in Phantom Glen Park. From County Highway ES, west on Andrews Street to park entrance.

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 local highlights of the DNR's 2014 Spring Fishing Forecast are here and the full statewide report is available here.

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

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2014 DNR Fishing Preview-Waukesha County

The full report DNR Preview is here.

 

Waukesha County Highlights

 

Walleye: 

Lac LaBelle -

1154 acres. Average length –16 inches. Population estimate – 3 adults per acre. Current regulation: 20 inch mini mum length, daily bag limit of 1. 

 

Access information: Shore fishing opportunities near the Oconomowoc River inlet can provide fast action. The public boat launch is located on south end of Lac LaBelle near the public beach area on Wisconsin Avenue. A

healthy adult walleye population continues to support natural reproduction of walleye inLac LaBelle, as revealed by continued fall electrofishing surveys. Walleyes on Lac La Belle provide excellent angler catch and release opportunity, but creel sized fish greater than the 20 inch minimum length limit are hard to come by.

 

Oconomowoc Lake -

818 acres. Average length – 15 inches. Population estimate – 2 adults per acre. Current regulation: 18 inch

minimum length, daily bag limit of 3. Access information: The public boat launch is located on the Oconomowoc River upstream of Oconomowoc Lake near the Okauchee Lake dam on Wisconsin Ave. Oconomowoc Lake has an excellent size structure for walleye, smallmouth bass and muskellunge. Oconomowoc Lake has a moderate level of

walleye natural reproduction indicated by fall electrofishing surveys. 

 

Musky:

Pewaukee Lake -

2437 acres. Average length – 34 inches. 2012 population estimate – 0.35 adults per acre. Current regu

lation: 40 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 1. Access information: There are two boat launches found on Pewaukee Lake;the county park launch on the west side and Smokey’s bait shop on the east side. Pewaukee Lake is home to the largest musky density in southeastern Wisconsin. Not only do the muskies in Pewaukee boast an average size of 34 inches, anglers annually catch a few fish over 50 inches. Abundant yellow

perch, black crappie and bluegills make up an excellent forage base for this thriving musky population. The DNR propagation program provides an excellent muskellunge  product that is stocked annually.

 

Okauchee Lake

- 1210 acres. Spring netting in 2013 revealed an average length of

40 inches. Current regulation: 40 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 1. 

 

Access information: There are two public launches on Okauchee Lake found at the Golden

Mast Restaurant and the DNR launch. The DNR boat launch is located just east of the Okauchee Lake dam on Road T, north of Wisconsin Avenue. The Golden Mast boat launch is located off of Lacys Lane north of East Wisconsin Avenue. Okauchee Lake has a maximum depth of 94 feet and has an excellent cisco population which provides an additional forage base resulting in above average growth rates. Okauchee Lake is a

great option for catching a trophy muskellunge.

 

Smallmouth

Oconomowoc Lake

- 818 acres. Average length – 15 inches. Current regulation: 14” minimum length, daily bag limit of 5. 

 

Rocky substrate, deep drop offs and woody structure provides excellent habitat for smallmouth bass on Oconomowoc Lake. Recent fall electrofishing surveys continually show excellent size structure and abundance of smallmouth bass with good trophy potential

Lac LaBelle -

1154 acres. Average length –

12 inches. Current regulation: 14 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 5. Access information: Shore fishing opportunities near the Oconomowoc River inlet can provide fast action. The public boat launch is located on south end of lake near down town area on Wisconsin Avenue. Trophy smallmouth,large flathead catfish, abundant walleye and giant muskellunge lurk in this unique fishery. The forage base consists of white suckers, golden red horse and yellow bass. 

 

 

Northern Pike

Big Muskego Lake -

2200 acres. Average length – 26 inches. Current regulation: 40 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 1.

Access information: There are three public launches located on the lakes’ east, south and southeast sides found on Boxhorn and Durham Drive. This shallow system has heavy aquatic plants and big northern pike.

The highly conservative minimum lengthlimit provides exciting catch and release action for bass and pike.

 

Lower Phantom Lake -

373 acres. Average length – 25 inches. Current regulation: 26 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 2.

Access information: The public boat launch is located at the west end of Andrews Street,west of Main Street in the city of Mukwonago. There is a park and a public fishing pier located next to the boat launch. Lower Phantom Lake has excellent northern pike habitat with abundant aquatic plants. Recent stocking efforts have increased the northern pike abundance and reports of pike in the mid 30-inch range have been reported by anglers.

 

Crappie

Okauchee Lake -

1157 acres. Average length– 9 inches. Current regulation: No minimum length, daily bag limit of 25. Access

information: 

 

Look for crappies in one of many shallow bays when the water temperatures rise to the low to mid 50

degrees. Spring netting in 2013 revealed excellent black crappie size structure and abundance.

 

Pine Lake -

711 surface acres. Average length – 7 inches. Current regulation: No minimum length limit, daily bag limit of 25.

Access information: The public launch is located on the lakes’ north side off of highway K also known as Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive. Spring netting in 2013 revealed bluegills were found in good abundance and

had an average size of 7 inches.

 

Golden Lake -

252 acres. Average length– 6.5 inches. Current regulation: no minimum length limit, daily bag limit of 25.

Access information: The public launch is located on the lakes’ south side off of High way 18. Golden Lake has a nice diversity of aquatic plants and a primarily sandy bottom. Panfish have a good size structure in Golden

Lake.

 

 

Trout

Rosenow Creek -

A 1/2 mile reach Average length – 7 inches. A recent stream shocking survey revealed brook trout up to 11 inches.

Current regulation: 9 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 3. Access information: Access can be found at the Oconomowoc high school property off of North Lapham Street. This small coldwater stream has consistent

natural reproduction of brook trout providing good action.

 

Paradise Springs -

A 1/2 mile reach Aver age length – 7 inches. Current regulation: 9 inch minimum length, daily bag limit of 3

downstream of Hwy N. Catch and release, artificial lures only Upstream of Hwy N. Access information: Access can be found on Hwy N north of Hwy 59 west of Eagle. Natural reproduction and supplementalstocking provide good action on both sides of Hwy N. Downstream, anglers can find brook trout hiding under a number of bank

structures. Upstream of Hwy N features ADA access to a fishing pier located on the stocked pond.

 

A handy new tool from the DNR

Interactive map shows locations of all Wisconsin fish species found in state

MADISON - Anglers and fish enthusiasts alike can now see where their favorite fish species have been found using an interactive Department of Natural Resources research tool that shows results from fish surveys dating as far back as 130 years.

Check it out...here.

New Bag Limits for Ceded Territory (2014-2015 Season)

The DNR has released the revised bag limits for northern lakes in the ceded territory.

If you're heading up north for the opener next weekend, you will definitely want to check these as some of the changes are fairly substantial.

Paul Smith's JSonline Article is here

Complete List of Ceded Territory Limits from the DNR is here

Best,
CT

Fishing Report 4-15-14

Tax day. Snowy weather...time to blow off some steam in the boat.

Local lakes still have various levels of ice, but are (or at least were) opening up.Very early yet, but you may be able to access some areas to chase panfish. Look for them to be active in the early afternoons, especially on warmer sunny days.

North banks of small cuts with shallow and dark bottoms will concentrate fish early on. Dark bottom areas adjacent to current will also hold fish. Long winter was tough on weeds, so look for fish around wood, docks or reeds.

River fishing has been a mixed bag. Whitebass are starting to run in the Rock River between Blackhawk and the Jefferson Dam. Feeder creeks with flowing water and current breaks close to shore are your best bet. Some walleyes are still being caught, but as is typical the bite peeked and then quickly dropped off. Catfish have been very active, especially on deeper flat areas out of the main channel.

Various fishing reports have the Dells still humming, but I didn't hear of anything personally the last week.

Depere is happening. Lots of fish being caught in Depere. Bigger fish are coming at night. Conditions have been tough by the reports I have gotten, but the action is steady.

More as I get it.

Good Luck, Be Safe.

Cheers,
CT

Update 4-08-14

Things are starting to happen in the rivers. Starting to see and hear some reports of larger fish moving in.

Depere should peak in the next 7 days. Larger fish are being caught now, especially at night.

In the Dells, lots of slot and over slot sized fish are being reported.

On the Rock River, Blackhawk Island has been hot, but upriver between the Bark and the Jefferson dam is starting to see some more action. Limited news on whitebass, but the walleyes and saugers are moving up in groups.

Stay tuned,
CT

Fishing report 4-5-14

Damn, it is nice to be back to doing these.

The premise...it is still very early, but open water things are starting to happen.

• Fish are moving in at Depere. The action is still early, but is fairly consistent by all reports.
• The Walleye are biting very well in the Dells. Some larger fish are starting to come in as well.
• The Jefferson-Blackhawk strecth of the Rock River has fish moving in. The action has been day to day but the fish are already moving towards the dam. 

Full moon is coming, as is some warmer weather...time to get that boat on the river.

Talk to you soon.

CT

Kids Fishing Clinics

CONTACT:   Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist, 414- 263-8614

SUBJECT:    Young anglers can receive free instruction at 30th Annual Kids’ Fishing Clinics

                        

MILWAUKEE – Kids 15 years and younger can mark the arrival of spring by attending free fishing clinics on Saturday, April 12, at several lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Racine, Sheboygan, Washington and Waukesha counties. Clinics will be held every hour beginning at 9 a.m. with the last clinic starting at 2 p.m.

"These clinics give kids a chance to learn about fishing, especially those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to find out what fishing is all about," said Matt Coffaro, DNR statewide urban fisheries biologist. “And it’s just a great opportunity for kids to get outside away from the electronics, get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer.”

Members of local fishing clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying, safety rules and fish identification. In spite of the unseasonably cold spring weather, the fishing instruction portion of the clinics will take place even if there is still ice cover.

“For 30 years, sport fishing groups have been the heart and muscle of this program,” Coffaro noted. "They do an outstanding job of teaching kids the basics of fishing and that fishing is fun. None of this works without the dedication of the volunteers."

The Department of Natural Resources and the Hunger Task Force Fish Hatchery will stock fish in the urban waters before the kids’ clinics are held. Fishing equipment is provided, but participants are encouraged to bring their own rod and reel if possible.

Adult anglers are reminded that from March 8 through April 25, urban fishing waters are restricted to fishing by juveniles 15- years-old and younger and certain disabled anglers. Urban fishing waters are small lakes and ponds under 25 acres that are continuously and cooperatively managed with a municipality. The 2014 – 2015 fishing regulations list urban waters with these special regulations. The rule is designed to give young anglers and anglers with disabilities an opportunity to fish close to home before competition from adults limits their chances to catch fish.

Locations for the April 12 kids’ fishing clinics are:

Milwaukee County

            Brown Deer Park, 7835 N. Green Bay Rd. (Hosted by Okauchee Fishing Club)

            Greenfield Park, 2028 S. 124 St. (Hosted by Great Lakes Sport Fishermen; Milwaukee Casting Club)

            Humboldt Park, 3000 S. Howell Ave. (Hosted by Lunkers Unlimited)

            McCarty Park, 8214 W. Cleveland Ave. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Southside Sportsmen’s Club)

            McGovern Park, 5400 N. 51 Blvd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Badger Fisherman’s League)

            Mitchell Park, 2200 W. Pierce St. (Hosted by Bay View Rod & Gun Club)

            Oak Creek Parkway, Oak Creek Pkwy and Mill Rd. in South Milwaukee (Hosted by Friends of the Oak Creek Millpond)

            Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Rd. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by Walleyes Unlimited, USA)

            Sheridan Park, 4800 S. Lake Dr. (Hosted by South Milwaukee 1400 Fishing & Hunting Club)

            Washington Park, 1859 N. 40th St. (Wheelchair accessible) (Hosted by E.B. Garner’s Fishing Club)

            Wilson Park, 1601 W. Howard Ave. (Hosted by Wisconsin Fishing Club)

           Racine County

Quarry Lake Park, 3800 Northwestern Ave. in Racine (Hosted by Salmon Unlimited)

           Sheboygan County

            Kohler-Andrae State Park, 1020 Beach Park Lane in Sheboygan (Hosted by Great Lakes Sports Fishermen-Sheboygan County Chapter)

Washington County

            Sandy Knoll Park, 2064 Wallace Lake Rd. in West Bend (Hosted by Trout Unlimited Southeast Chapter; West Bend Kiwanis Early Risers)

Waukesha County

                                    No park entrance fee will be charged.

                                    Parking passes will be distributed at the event.

            Menomonee Park/Lannon Quarry, W220 N7844 Town Line Rd. in Menomonee Falls, one-half mile north of Good Hope Rd. (Hosted by Wisconsin House Outdoorsmen)

Fox Brook Park, 2925 N. Barker Rd. in Brookfield (Hosted by Wern Valley Sportsmen’s Club)

            Muskego Park, S83 W20370 Janesville Rd. in Muskego (Hosted by Women’s Hunting and Sporting Association)

Fishing Report 3-30-14

Just a reminder...if you haven't done so already, you need a new fishing license.

River fishing is in a very early stage, but some positive reports are starting to trickle in. The reports from the Dells have been more positive, but I'm hearing some scattered reports from the Rock River as well.

The Milwaukee Harbor and the rivers have been active, but it seems like some days have been dramatically better than others. (Not unusual for this time of year)

On the area lakes, the panfish are in late ice areas, relating to the last of the weeds. Ice is getting a bit sketchy, especially in high traffic areas and areas in or adjacent to current but the baitshops are still reporting people are heading out. Be careful out there, PFD, Buddy-System and rescue tools for sure.

More as I get it.....

Cheers,
CT

Lunkers Garage Sale-This Week

This is always a can't miss event for me. This Thursday, 6-9pm in Hartland at the Bowling Alley.

April 3 rd Thursday 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Hartbrook Lanes 550 Hartbrook Drive, Hartland, WI
Come early and bring your old fishing and boating equipment 
Rent a table for $5.00 to sell your stuff.
Rods, Reels, Lures, motors, tackle, and a little of everything.
For info or to reserve table space call: Jeff Bartlett 262-894-2790

Lunkers Website is Here

I'll be there. Drop by and we can chat about fishing the Rock River or crappies when the ice comes off the lakes. Looks like it is going to be a unique spring opener this year...you'll certainly want to be stocked up on suspending jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits.

And we're back....Fishing Report 3-21-14

Finally,

We can start to have our weekly chats. I'm still working with limited information streams from my sources, but as spring stabilizes, I expect more info to start trickling in.

Open water fishing is underway in the Dells. People are reporting a tough bite, but still getting some action.

Open water fishing has started in the near shore areas of Lake Michigan. Some of the harbors are still iced in, but Lake-Link threads are starting to get active for the Bender Park area.

Closer to home, the Jefferson and Ft Atkinson areas of the Rock River are starting to open up. Mixed reports on conditions/what's open so far....but it is very early.

More as I get it.

I'm glad to be back. Leaving in a couple minutes to get the boat out of storage.

Cheers,
CT

Finally..something to report

This winter has been a killer....of that, there can be little doubt. But my friends, I bring news.

There is open water in the Dells. Yes, my friends, there is open water in the Dells. Your long lost companion, your boat, can once again hit the water in pursuit of fish.

More as I get it in. I'll be getting my boat out and prepped for my first trip on the water this weekend.

Stay Tuned!

New Fishing Regulations Part II

FYI....I have had lots of questions about the new regulations. At this point I know what you know about the proposal.

If you want to learn more about the proposed regulations, Lunkers Unlimited has invited Ben Heussner of the DNR to come and talk over the proposal with their club.

The public is welcome to attend according to emails I have gotten from a variety of club members. Lunkers is a quality fishing organization, and I commend them for putting this together.

The event is Thursday, February 20th at 7:30pm at Hartbrook Lanes in Hartland. The organization website is http://www.lunkersunlimitedwi.com/

Cheers,
CT

2015 Proposed Fishing Regs:

I've been seeing and hearing from lots of folks on this proposed change, a fairly radical set of changes, to fishing on the local lakes starting in 2015.

Personally, I don't see anything objectionable in these changes. The rules would include a "waiver" of the slot limits so that catch and release bass tournaments could still be held on the CRO lakes.


I'm posting this here for your information. Look it over. I know there's going to be lots of knee jerk reactions one way or the other...but I really think the DNR might be on the right track here. Feel free to comment below the post. An open dialogue on these proposals is a solid first step to improving our fishing opportunities.


From my email inbox:

Proposed Fishing Regulation Changes - Waukesha County

My name is Benjamin Heussner and I am a fisheries biologist for the WDNR responsible for Waukesha County waters.   I am looking for feedback from all user groups so it will best serve a diversity of anglers.  Please keep an open mind when reviewing this proposal as it is intended to benefit all species of fish on the various lakes by promoting protection of quality sized gamefish and panfish.

Thanks,

Benjamin Heussner
Fisheries Biologist
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
414-303-0109

Lunker's Fishoree/Meat Raffle -January 18th

From Jeff Bartlet at Lunkers:

"We are holding our annual fishoree at Curlys Waterfront Pewaukee Lake on Saturday the 18th of January. We will be having our meat raffles all day long as well. We will raffle off a Frabill ice shelter and many other prizes."

 That also happens to be a DNR "Free Fishing Weekend"

Lunkers is a great club and this a is a great annual event.

--Cheers,
CT

Checking In

Sorry things have been slow around these parts, but it has been a crazy busy fall for me. I wish I would have been out a bit more, but the reality is that I haven't been out very much.

I'll be bouncing in and out as is typical for the winter months. If you don't want to stop by to see if the blog has been updated, sign up on the right and you can get updates via email when I post them.

Over the winter I'll be posting and linking to lots of different instructional content, and I'll be back full time for week reports in early March.

Thanks for reading these reports.

Cheers,
CT

Fishing Report 11-16-13

Just a quickie today. Stop reading this, get your boat and get out on the water. Highs temps are going to be close to 60 degrees today and Sunday before seasonal temperatures set back in on Monday.

Musky fishing has been slow and steady. Water temps are in the right range for the biggest fish to start feeding aggressively, but reports of high 40-low 50 inch class fish have been hard to come by. Expect that to start to change as the season starts to wind down. Covering water pulling suckers on quickstrike rigs is your best option most days, but the warmer weather can give you a window for some casting success. Gliders, Jerkbaits or Bulldawgs are classic fall baits, but a spinner shouldn't be overlooked, especially around any green weeds you can still find.

River fishing for walleyes has been slow on the Rock River between Jefferson and Blackhawk Island. A few fish are being caught jigging deeper holes, but the water levels are very low.

Smallmouth are still biting in deep water on live bait. On warmer or sunny afternoons some wolf packs of fish are moving up onto structure for a quick feeding run. Big shiners on slip sinker rigs over 25-32 FOW can produce as can casting deep diving cranks, suspending jerkbaits or grubs and jigworms.

Good Luck,
CT

Requirements For Vehicles- Madison Lake Ice Fishing

From the Wisconsin State Journal:

On Lakes Mendota, Monona and Wingra, vehicles weighing over 850 pounds require a special permit, while vehicles weighing less than 850 pounds require flotation and a permit.

On all other Dane County lakes, vehicles over 850 pounds require a special use permit, vehicles between 750 and 850 pounds require flotation and a permit and vehicles under 750 pounds have no restrictions.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/news/local/flotation-equipment-needed-for-vehicles-on-frozen-dane-county-lakes/article_c2b2ec62-e8bd-5c05-bf96-62f2b8ed041d.html#ixzz2k4VHElF7

2013-14 inspections: For more information, go to http://www.danesheriff.com/marine_trail_ice.aspx

• Thursday night, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Jan. 2, 9, 16 and 30.
• Saturday morning, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28, and Jan. 4, 11, 18 and 15.

Hey gang-News and such 11-8-13

Things have been busy, and I haven't been checking in regularly.

For that I apologize.

Water temps are in the low 40's on most of the area lakes. Musky fishing has been slow but steady around the area. By the number of reports I am seeing, it seems that there's not many people on the water in comparison to many years.

Now is the time to target the big girls. Ironman this weekend on Pewaukee.

I'll be back for regularly scheduled reports next week.

Cheers,
CT

Fishing Report 10-14-13

There hasn't been much change on the water since I last checked in, but the weather man tells me that things will start to be a bit more seasonal later this week.

This, is as they say, is what we have been waiting for.

Water is in the high 50's to low 60's on most lakes. The warmer, sunny afternoons are bringing cooler surface temps back up each afternoon.

Fish will be doing one thing above all, chasing bait. Visible baitfish=gamefish. If you're going along and see baitfish (either visibly or on your electronics) slow down and fish the area methodically.

I'd keep your presentations on the smaller side until the cooler weather sets in for the duration, but if you're fishing live bait, you can get a little bigger. Smallmouth, largemouth, walleyes and pike will go nuts on live bait rigs with larger shiners.

LM are still patrolling and ambushing along clumps of weeds on the shallow weed flats. Others are still hanging along the deeper weed edges. Smallmouth are relating to weed clumps near or adjacent to rocky and sandy areas with a drop off. The deeper fish will bite best when they make a move into the nearby shallow water. They tend to do this a couple times a day this time of year. A large number of fish will use rocky areas in the early afternoons. Wacky worms and skirted grubs are great around the rocks. Jigworms, texas rigs and ji/trailers are great around the scattered weeds. Lipless crankbaits are great in both areas. Browns, greens, orange or blacks have been the best colors for plastics (pretty much as they are all year) but white or silver crankbaits are really starting to turn on as a pattern.

Walleye: Live minnows or nightcrawlers are the key unless fishing at night when minnowbaits can outpace. Look for walleyes to be in the sandgrass or in breaks in the weeds in 10-15 feet. Some fish will be deeper or shallower on our local lakes, but the best approach is a slip-sinker or lindy rig with a big minnow. Nightcrawlers will still produce as well, especially when trolled very slowly on spinner harnesses along the first weedline breaks.

Northern: Most northern caught this time of year are caught while targeting other species, especially bass and musky. But they can still be caught and in good numbers. . Deep diving crankbaits in bluegill, perch or white/shad color patterns can work wonders right now: Hot N Tots and Wiggle Warts  are my favorites for trolling, while Norman D-22's, Spinnerbaits or Rattletraps are better options for casting. Drifting with medium suckers on a slip sinker rig, like you might consider doing while walleye fishing right now, should also be productive.

Musky: What can I say? It is time, pure and simple. The next six weeks will be prime-time. For now, focus your attention in 12-18 feet of water. Casting bucktails, gliders, swimbaits or especially jerkbaits can work, but don't forget to keep a sucker or two out on a quick-strike rig. Many fish that follow in lazily on a casting approach will turn on for the sucker hanging nearby.  By reports I got from around the area, North, Pewaukee, Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Garvin, Fowler and Lac Labelle all gave up fish this weekend, and the Madison lakes are really turning on. Fish are still running on the smaller side, but a handful of high 40's came in over the last ten days. I haven't seen or heard of a 50+ yet this season (from an area lake), but it is still very early for that class of fish.

Good Luck,
CT