Fishing Report 4-3-2010

Just an update on local conditions and fishing.


River runs are still in progress, but the walleyes are into the spawning phase. A few stragglers are still showing pre-spawn activity but by and large they are in the process of finishing the spawn. Expect to see some males hanging around for a bit, but its definitely time to start targeting white bass as they stage for their spawning runs. A little rain would really get things going, but the weather came up a little short today. Stay tuned.

Crappies and bluegills are actively biting on many area lakes, especially in the afternoon on the warmer sunny days. The high winds have been problematic, but if you're heading out, look for panfish in shallow, dark-bottom areas, especially if there are reeds or weeds left over from last season. Water temperatures are still low in the mainlake areas, but the shallow bays and boat channels are into the 50's in many protected areas. Go small when possible, waxworms and spikes on a very small hook or icefishing jig will catch as many fish as minnows most days. Mix it up, and be ready for anything.

We're less than a month away from the opener. Things will only get better.

Fishing Report 3-31-10

Fishing is picking up. Let's give you a quick rundown.


River fishing continues to be very productive. Walleyes are biting on the Fox River in Oshkosh and Depere, The Wolf River, the Wisconsin River and closer to home, on the Rock River.

Fish on the Rock River are moving in from the lake in large groups, and  you can expect good action and keeper fish. Advice: use larger/jumbo fatheads or tuffy minnows when targeting fish. Nightcrawlers can help you target some bonus catfish as well. Look for the fish in the areas adjacent to the main current flow, or in the deeper holes near turns in the river. The S turn has been especially productive for keeper fish. Keep in mind the walleyes are about to spawn, but that the white bass will follow them into the river.

Local lakes are free of ice, and panfishing is happening. Crappie are staging in the shallow dark bottom bays, especially those with a north facing shoreline. Small fatheads, waxworms on ice fishing jigs, or plastics tipped with live bait will catch crappies now, especially on the warmer afternoons. On still days, anchor and cast, on windy days used controlled drifting to increase the number of fish you're bringing in.

Good Luck,

CT

3-22-10 Fishing Report

The run is on in the Rock River. The water has crested the critical 42 degree temperature, and fish are moving in groups. The mouth has been the most consistent, but anglers in Jefferson and Fort are starting to see schools of fish.

Live bait, especially larger sized fatheads on a jig with stinger hook are catching the most fish. The typical rock-river patterns working especially well, orange or gold head with a chartruese body and/or live bait. Anchoring and fishing with three way-rigs or kytock setups works pretty well.

Look for slack water areas adjacent to the main current, that's where the lion's share of the fish are being caught.

It's only going to get better.

Stay tuned.

CT

New fishing report

Report for 3-13-10 at the Musky Mikes Page Here.

Open Water Opportunities

There's a ton of open water fishing just around the corner, but right now the Dells and Depere are both open and fish are being caught.

The Laker bite in the harbor is going strong as well.

This batch of rain is sure to get a few things started. If you're looking for some early season fishing, give me a call.

CT

VIKING ISLAND and OUTPOSTS: Real Outdoor Destinations films McInnes

The Canadian Fly In Outfitter I use and recommend, Viking Outpost, has posted some video at their blog.

Check it out:

VIKING ISLAND and OUTPOSTS: Real Outdoor Destinations films McInnes

2010 DNR Fishing Report

The DNR has released the 2010 report. I'd point your attention to the Waukesha County Lakes Section and the short article about the fish cribs added to Silver Lake.

Get the report here

CT.

Early Spring Trips

The first open water opportunities are here.

Walleye fishing is getting started in the Dells, with open water off of the River's Edge Resort. Check out their live river cams here.

Ben Kueng is running open water harbor trips for Lake Trout. Ben's Website.

Stay Tuned.
CT

Local Musky Tournament Dates for 2010

Wisconsin Musky Tour Qualifiers:

Pewaukee Lake, Pewaukee May 15
Lake Okauchee, Okauchee May 16

Ironman Musky Tournament Trail

October 30, Pewaukee Lake
October 31, Okauchee Lake


Elite Musky Series

June 12-13, Pewaukee Lake 

Invasive Species

A New Poll out from UW-Madison. Here

Little Lunkers Ice Fishing Day Classes for the Kids

Ever wanted to show the kids what Ice Fishing was all about? Becky over at Dick Smith's just told me about the little lunkers day over on Nagawicka.
 
Information page from Dick Smith's Live Bait is Here

1-6-10 Fishing Report

Just some quick information.

Ice conditions continue to vary, sometimes within a few feet of each other. Shallow bays are solid with a minimum between 4-8 inches in most areas. Deeper water has ice, but it can be as thin as 2 inches or as thick as 12. As always, be careful when heading out.

Panfish have been the most consistent. Some nicer panfish are being taken near deeper structure or close to the bottom in deeper areas adjacent to shallow water. You'll need a camera or electronics to effectively locate and target these fish.

Shallow water panfish continue to bite. Look for them in protected bays near any green weeds you can find.

Pike fishing has been slow and steady. Larger shiners on a rigged leader have been producing. Fishing the bays that are shallow and weedy in the summer has been a good starting point, but don't be afraid to spread your gear out a little to cover several depths. Mid depth areas with any weeds have been producing the better fish.

Walleye fishing is starting to pick up, especially just after dawn. There's a window of opportunity early in the morning in sand/rock transition areas where the larger walleyes are targeting juvenile perch. You probably won't catch many, but some larger fish have been reported.

Good Luck,

CT

Musky Mikes

Musky Mikes is Open Again
Just a quick post today, update will follow. I just wanted everyone to know that the shop is now open in its new location.

(Just down the street, to the east, on the south side of the road.)

CT

Fishing Report

Disclaimer: Take everything I say at your own risk. Use a spud bar,a pfd and a buddy when heading out on the ice. Take it from me, going through is no picnic.

------

Okay, that out of the way, let's get down to business. The cold snap at the end of last week and over the weekend has really gotten things going in terms of freeze up. Shallow protected bays are frozen on the bigger lakes, and smaller lakes with shallow water have closed up entirely. Expect between 2-6 inches of ice on the frozen areas, but mainlake and deepwater areas remain open on many lakes. I'll have a full round of ice conditions lake by lake in the weekend update.

Panfish are starting to bite, especially in the mid afternoon. Waxies, spikes and mousies on a tear drop or ratfinkee seems to be the key. The fish are running on the smaller side still, but I think people don't have them dialed in just yet.

Pike are starting to bite, but again, the limited number of people out has kept information a little on the sketchy side for now. I'll have more for you this weekend.

Stay Tuned,
CT

Early ice-Fishing Report

Greetings,

The weather has certainly taken a turn towards winter the last couple days. Very low temperatures mean ice is starting to form.

I would advise caution if you're planning on heading out in the local area though. The ice is still pretty sketchy by all reports. A few days and nights of this cold weather should get things started however.

For now, consider looking for panfish in protected areas with still green weeds. Crappies and bluegills will bite on a variety of small live bait or plastics around shallow weed clumps. The fish will not have set up their feeding schedule as of yet, but you can expect to catch fish in little spurts. If you have three holes going, chances are one hole will outproduce the rest. Spread out your gear until you connect, then fish hard through the most active holes.

Early ice walleye action can be great, but I'd give things another couple of days before heading out to exposed areas or flats adjacent to open water.

Stay Tuned.
CT

Extra month this year/Fishing Report

Musky season is usually wrapping up in our local area as the season typically closed the last weekend in November. This year however, the season is open until December 31st in the southern zone.

Lots of fish are being caught on the local lakes, with suckers obviously being the best option. Look for the fish to be anywhere, but don't be shy about looking for them in relatively shallow water, especially on a warmer sunny afternoon. As the season progresses to this point, I like to focus my attention on rocky transition areas. I don't have the science behind it or anything, but I can usually find some active fish near to mid-depth rocks, especially in the afternoons.

If you're heading into the shallow water, you might also want to keep your eyes open for some panfish that are making an early transition move towards winter water. Crappies and bluegills will start to stage in shallow protected bays with cover this time of year.

And if you're in the mood for some walleyes, the Rock and Wisconsin rivers are in the midst of the late fall run.

CT

CARP!

From JSOnline.COM:

32 DNA samples for Asian carp found past barrier

By Dan Egan of the Journal Sentinel


The Army Corps of Engineers acknowledged Friday that tests taken earlier this fall revealed 32 positive DNA samples for Asian carp above the electric fish barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, some within 10 miles of the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

The Journal Sentinel first reported the apparent barrier breach Thursday, though the Army Corps refused to acknowledge it until Friday morning.

There is now apparently nothing left standing between the supersized, ecosystem-ravaging fish and the world's largest freshwater system other than the gates of two heavily used navigational locks, and it may be only a matter of time until the fish are jumping and flopping in Lake Michigan waters from Chicago to Door County - and beyond.

"It's a disaster," said Dan Thomas, president of the Great Lakes Sport Fishing Council. "Heads should roll for this."

The Great Lakes commercial and sport fishing industry are valued at over $7 billion annually, and the region has more than 4 million registered recreational boats, many owners of which may have to learn to live on a different and dangerous set of lakes; hockey helmets are considered standard safety gear for some boaters on infested waters of the Mississippi River basin.

No actual fish have been found above the electric barrier, which itself is about 20 miles south of Lake Michigan. But biologists say the water samples provide some compelling - and distressing - evidence that the fish imported decades ago by an Arkansas fish farmer and subsequently let loose during federally funded sewage treatment experiments finally busted past the electric barrier. It is a barrier that has never been turned up to its full capacity due to concerns it would disrupt barge operators and recreational boaters on the Chicago canal.

"We're assuming (the fish) are there because we have to," said John Rogner, assistant director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. "It's the best data we have."

The biologists responsible for detecting the fish with cutting edge "environmental" DNA testing agreed. "There is no reason to think that there aren't carp present when the DNA is detected," said David Lodge, a University of Notre Dame biologist.

Lodge said no DNA tests have been conducted on Lake Michigan itself, but he said there is still reason to be optimistic.

"As a biologist and somebody who has spent decades now studying many different kinds of invasive species, we should not assume all is lost because there may be some silver and bighead (carp) above the barrier," he said. "There are lots of cases, well documented from many parts of the world, where a small number of organisms may invade new areas, but they may die out before they establish a sustainable reproducing population. So it's very important to keep the numbers of individual organisms as low as possible."

The Army Corps agrees, and said Friday it will steam ahead with plans to poison the Chicago canal just below the barrier to kill all the fish in a several mile downriver stretch in early December so the barrier can be shut down for a day or two for regular maintenance in early December. "This new information reinforces the importance of preventing any further intrusion of the Asian carp via the largest pathway, the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal," said Army Corps Maj. General John w. Peabody.

Army Corps officials said Friday they also would continue DNA testing above the barrier and will consider poisoning options in the areas where DNA is detected.

They also said they would consider changing the way they operate two busy navigational locks near the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

"All options are on the table," said Rogner.

Officials said research is already under way to try to manage carp populations in the Great Lakes, similar to the Great Lakes lamprey sterilization program that keeps numbers of that invasive parasite in check.

"We anticipate that some day this kind of operation may have to occur with carp," said Charlie Wooley, deputy regional director for Fish and Wildlife.

Army Corps officials declined to speculate how the fish might have made it passed the barrier.

One possible reason is that it wasn't operating at a higher strength until August, when the newly developed DNA tests first detected the fish within several miles of the barrier. Previous fish-shocking surveys had showed the carp stalled for more than a year about 20 miles below the barrier.

The Journal Sentinel reported late last year that the new barrier, designed to operate at four volts per inch, was only going to be allowed at one-volt per inch, not a power high enough to deter small juvenile fish.

The Journal Sentinel reported on Aug. 7 that the DNA tests revealed the fish were on the move. The Army Corps turned up the power on the barrier to two volts later that month after conducting a round of safety tests. They said at the time tests showed two volts, with the proper pulse frequency, is strong enough to repel all sizes of fish.

Conservationists Thursday said the only thing left to do know is to close the navigation locks to determine with certainty if the fish have indeed breached the gates. And if they have, it's time to try to kill those fish. "The important thing now is to make sure no fish get into Lake Michigan, and since we've got those structures in place that will help us do that, that is where we've got to focus," said Joel Brammeier of the Alliance for the Great Lakes.

North Lake Access

From Jsonline.com:

North Lake public access project starts next summer
By Don Behm of the Journal Sentinel

Nov. 6, 2009 4:23 p.m. | Construction of the first public access to North Lake in Waukesha County is scheduled for summer 2010, a state Department of Natural Resources official said Friday.

The 437-acre lake is the largest water body in the county without public access, said Jim Ritchie, DNR public waterways access coordinator.

The DNR purchased the former Whitey Krause property on Reddelien Road in the Town of Merton for $1.125 million in 2005. The 6.5-acre parcel includes 233 feet of frontage on the northwest shore of the lake, Ritchie said.

Construction of the access site, with boat ramp, dock and parking lot for 16 vehicles and trailers will cost $475,000.

"Development of this property will ensure that anglers and recreational boaters have permanent year-round public access for open water and ice fishing on North Lake," Ritchie said. "There's been a strong demand for access to this lake for many years."

Great weekend ahead.

There's a great weather outlook for the next couple days, and you should consider hitting the water. The warmer temps will bring a variety of fish into the shallow areas, especially those with rock or sand bottoms, in the early afternoon.

Live bait is always a good option this time of year, especially suckers and shiners, but don't over look crankbaits. A thinner profile bait that wiggles instead of wobbles, always seems to catch some decent fish when the conditions are like this this late in the year.

Look for rocky areas adjacent to deep water. The fish will be laying on the rocks, on patrolling the bottom transition just next to them.

Good Luck
CT

Musky Mikes has been sold.

Musky Mike's Baitshop in Okauchee has been sold to new ownership. The store will remain open in its current location through November 30th. Live bait will continue to be available at the current location through November 30th, and all tackle is on sale for 40% off.

The store will continue to operate under the new owners, but will be moving to a nearby location during the week of December 1st.

It has been our pleasure to serve you, and we look forward to seeing the store continue under the new owners.

Thanks
Chris, Eric and Ray