June Dates

Due to some cancellations and rescheduling of a couple of repeat customers to later in the summer, I have some dates available between the 6th and 15th of June. This stretch is traditionally a fantastic time of year to fish on our local lakes.

Typically, I'm not available during this time, as I have annual, repeat clients that book my available days.

I'd like to fill these dates if possible, and I can do half or full days. I'll sweeten the pot with a special rate: $200 for a half day (4-6 hours)  $300 for a full day (7-9 hours). That's $50 off my usual rates.

If you're interested Please send me an email.

Cheers,
CT

Golden Lake 5-25-12

Out this morning for a bit before the holiday weekend. Hit Golden.

Boats out already when I got to the ramp just after 5am. Lots of people chasing panfish. Didn't see too many keepers in shallow, but talked to some folks that were getting some nice ones out a little deeper.

For me, bass fishing. Caught a few on a wacky, a few more flipping/pitching, and a decent batch on a jig worm.The jig worm fished over and through patches of scattered weeds on flat areas continues to produce numbers. I caught fish on five consecutive casts this morning.

Ended the day around 11am with 20 bass in total. 13-15" was pretty consistent for size (Typical for Golden) but did have a couple around 17" and a nice 19.5" as well. Fish were away from shore, chasing baitfish in the scattered weeds. I would have caught more, but took me a bit to hammer in the pattern with a couple of depth adjustments. Water was 67-70 degrees, which was much cooler than I thought it would be.

Have a great holiday...and thank a vet for their service.
Cheers, CT

Memorial Day Weekend Fishing Report 2012, Okauchee, WI Area

Make sure to thank a vet this weekend.

Overall, water temps are back in the Mid to high 6o's in Main Lake areas, while some bays are in the Low 70's. Weedgrowth is far ahead of normal for this time of the season, and Mayflies are in the middle of the hatch on a couple of area lakes.

Bluegills are starting to congregate in shallower water. A few nests are starting to appear in the traditional sandy and gravel areas.Look for them in 4-10 feet of water, and be ready to move shallower as the temperatures warm up. Current areas and spawning areas (like sandy or gravel areas) will have fish nearby. Waxworms, butterworms, redworms and plastics are taking fish, but bigger gills have been hard to come by in any significant number. (Try Okauchee, Garvin ( red hot!), Golden Nagawicka, Upper and Middle Genessee, School Section, Ashipunn, Pretty, Phantom and Lower Nashotah)

Crappie fishing has been slow, but can be great on any given day. Most crappies are in shallow bays near weeds, wood laydowns or reeds. Some fish are still spawning (you can tell by how black the fish turn this time of year). Minnows, hooked through the tail on a small hook (#8 or #10), waxworms and plastics have all been taking fish. With the temperature set to warm back up for the holiday weekend, expect crappies to be very active on area lakes. (Try: Okauchee (especially the North Flat, Bay Five and the Crane's Nest), Garvin (North End and Wood Laydowns), Kessus, Nagawicka (Channels), Golden, Silver, and Pine.

Largemouth bass are post spawn for the most part. Anglers are catching fish targeting them in shallow water, but a few fish are still being caught off the open areas on flats with scattered weeds. It might be hard to consistently find bigger fish, but on warm afternoons, the action could be good. Shallow water presentations like jig and chunk or craw, wacky, texas rigged lizards, spinnerbaits or lipless crankbaits will all catch fish right now, but don't overlook smaller topwater presentations. Live bait, nightcrawlers, leeches or small suckers are your best bet. (Try: Okauchee, Lake Five, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac Labelle, Kessus Nagawicka, Silver, School Section, Golden, Fox or Emily)

Smallmouth bass have been active, and a few anglers are reporting nests on many area lakes. Rock structure, scattered weeds on sand and major points are all holding fish. Expect them to be a little spooky, especially in the shallow water on sunny days. Skirted grubs, jigworms, jig and craws, tubes, and soft jerkbaits are all catching fish. Go natural with your color choices this weekend. (Try: Oconomwoc, Pine, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, Pewaukee, Lower Nashotah and the Nemahbin Lakes.)

Walleye have been active, but keepers have been inconsistent. I've heard som scattered chatter about some keepers being caught in 8-12 feet of water. Slip bobbers, Jig and minnow, jig and leech, and split shot rigs with nightcrawlers or small suckers have been the best way to target eyes. In the evening, a few anglers are catching fish by working rapala minnow baits over weed clumps. This weekend should be red hot for walleyes, especially in the evenings. (Try: Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Nagawicka, North, Pine and Fox)

Northern Pike fishing has picked up with the warmer weather. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits, or suspending jerkbaits (like Husky Jerks or Rouges) are catching fish around shallow weed clumps, or at the edges of coves and marshy areas. If chasing pike with live bait, look for them in 6-12 feet, using small suckers or large shiners on a slip sinker rig. (Try: Okauchee, Kessus, Garvin, Nagawicka, Pine, Fowler, Golden, School Section, Emily)

Musky Fishing has been slow and steady. There are lots of fish in the shallow water chasing, and a few are even being caught on topwaters, but the most consistent action has been coming in 12-18 feet around mainlake structure. Gliders, jerkbaits, swimbaits and bucktails have been productive, but many anglers continue to describe lots of lazy follows, so having a sucker out on a quickstrike rig is a great idea, and figure eights are required on every cast. Gold blade/balck skirt seems to be the color of the season, but white/copper combos have also been catching a few. (Try: Okauchee, Pewaukee, Fowler and Lac Labelle) 

Around the area: Fishing on the Rock River has picked up again, and anglers are still catching a few whitebass south of Ft Atkinson, and catfish between the Jefferson Dam and the mouth. The action has been good when its on, awful when its not.

Trout fishing in the stocked lakes and ponds continues to be good.  Lower Genessee, Ottawa and Lower Nashotah continue to give up fish. Water levels are way down in Lower and Middle Genessee.

If you're in town for the holiday and want to talk some more specific tips, email or call me.

Have a great holiday weekend. Again, thank a vet.
Cheers,
CT

Saturday 5-19-12

Well gang,

Things didn't quite go as planned today. I had arranged to take out a new client on Oconomowoc this afternoon, but it didn't happen.


As I was approaching the launch/dam area, I saw the Flight for Life Helicopter landing on Hwy 16 just past the dam. As I got closer, I saw tons of emergency vehicles.

Here's why: (Photos from Lake-Link.com)

Story from Channel 12 is here.

Fishing Report 5-17-12

The fishing has been very consistent the past week.

The relatively stable weather (and yes I remember the thunderstorm) has pushed the fish into a full spring pattern.

Condition wise: Weed growth is way ahead of itself this year, and water temps are ranging from the low to high 60's. You may find water as warm as the mid 70's in some darker bottom/shallow areas, espeically along windblown areas on the smaller lakes.

Panfish are moving into shallow cover in significant numbers. Wood laydowns, reeds and shallow clumps are starting to attract schools of fish. Crappie can still be seen congregating in the shallows around wood, while schools of bluegills and some yellow perch are starting to pop up around other types of shallow cover. If you're catching smaller panfish, move out just a little deeper and you'll probably find what you are looking for. Garvin has been on fire, but Ashippun, Golden, Silver, Middle Genessee, Forest and Moose have all been very good.

Largemouth bass fishing was fantastic the past week. Lots of male fish are up on the nests in shallow water, and many females spawned in the last few days, but there are lots of quality pre-spawn fish patrolling the shallows and foraging right now. Two pieces of advice: 1.)...beating the banks may find you a quality fish or two, but out over the flats with scattered cover will be more consistent. 2.) ...look for visible baitfish where you are fishing. If you're not seeing schools of shiners or juvenile panfish in the weeds or wood you are fishing on....you're not going to catch as many fish. I'm still working two patterns...a jigworm (alhtough a pre-rigged worm would work well, as would a smaller topwater bait) away from the bank, and a jig and craw in tight closer to cover. Wacky rigs and texas rigged lizards are also catching fish consistently...but natural colors seem to be outproducing the typical black/blue spring approach. Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Ashippun, Nag, Lower Nehmabin, Upper Genessee, Golden, Silver, Kessus and Moose have all been good.

Smallmouth fishing has varied lake to lake...primarily on the water temperature differences between our local bodies of water. Warmer lakes have fish on their nests, while the cooler clear water lakes still have lots of fish schooled up and on the pre-spawn feed. Keep it simple, play the water temperature game. Look for active fish in shallow rocks or sand. Patrolling fish will feed, fish holding tight to cover or the bottom are less likely to do so. This is a great time to use skirted grubs on a football head jig for shallow smallmouth. Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Beaver and North have been the best.

Walleye fishing: Not much to report. Anglers who are chasing walleyes right now report finding them in shallow weeds in 6-8 FOW, or off the first break in 12-18 FOW. Finesse live bait rigs or small jigs tipped with leeches seem to be doing the job. Lac Labelle is always a solid bet for action, Oconomwoc, North and Pine are better options for keepers.

Northern pike have been active on most area lakes. Lots of smaller fish are being caught in the shallow weeds using spinners, buzzbaits lipless crankbaits, and minnowbaits. Bigger pike have been a little harder to come by, but dragging live bait-small suckers, chubs or large/jumbo shiners with a slip sinker rig off the first deep break is still finding a few quality fish. Watch for baitfish, and be ready to cover some water. Kessus, School Section, Nagawicka, Okauchee and Fowler have been fantastic, but don't overlook sleepers like Ashippun, Golden, School Section and Pretty.

Musky fishing has been a bit on the slow side, but some decent fish are still being caught in shallow areas close to where bass and panfish spawn. With Tournaments on both Pewaukee (Saturday) and Okauchee (on Sunday) lots of people have been out this week pre-fishing, so the fish have been a little pressured. I'd downsize your presentation a little bit, and unless your tournament fishing...I'd stick to the other bodies of water...Lac Labelle, Fowler or Oconomowoc.

Stocked trout are still being caught out of the area lakes and ponds...but if you want in on the action, best to get to it soon.

Whitebass are still being caught in FT Atkinson and near the Jefferson Dam on the Rock River. The Catfish bite has also been picking up a little bit as the water temperatures move up.

Some Okauchee Pics

Todd Lands Our First Good Fish Of the Day

Another Pre-spawn Female. Notice how far off the bank we are fishing.

Another Awesome Fish that Came on a Jigworm. Again, notice how far off the bank we are fishing.

Okauchee Trips 5-11-12

Tale of two days today.

Morning Run: Fished 8:30-1pmish. Tough bite, scratched out some LM and Pike by  mixing up presentations in areas adjacent to spawning areas. Nothing consistent about the bite: Some came on wacky-rigs, a couple more on skirted grubs, and a couple more on lipless crankbaits. I didn't see many bass cruising, but did see a mid 40's musky with a 14inch-ish bass sticking out of his mouth swimming around in upper Oconomowoc.

Switched gears about 1:30, made a move to jig worms on the open areas on the windy flats and jig and craws in close...big change. Started hitting fish almost immediately, and started seeing some quality fish as the afternoon wore on. Ended the day with several quality fish (17+ inches) including a monster thick, prespawn female LM in Tierney that was pushing 5lbs, just before we called it a day.

Caught some nice fish on a 6" jigworm with a 3/32 ounce head fishing around the scattered weeds. Casting the jigworm was the most consistent producer, especially when making some drifts on the windy flat areas in Stumpy, Whitigers, The Saddle and Icehouse. Got out of the wind in some areas between drifts, and went after the fish in the shallow grass with a Dewy Special Jig and a Yum Craw Pappy trailer, both in natural green colors.

Only thing consistent was that fish came out of areas where there were visible baitfish. No food=no fish today- a equation that was certainly true this morning, but especially true this afternoon. Better fish were away from shore, but close to scattered weeds. (Otherwise known as classic pre-spawn LM activity) Still only seeing a few beds. Warmest water was 68 when I pulled out, up from 58 this morning.

Windy, but an otherwise beautiful day. Set to be a great week ahead. Good Luck....

Cheers, CT

PS: Pictures when I can get them up.

Fishing Report 5-10-12

Finally seeing a batch of stable weather. The fishing is sure to pick up.

Reports have water temps ranging from between the high 50's to mid 60's on most area lakes, but weed growth is advanced for this time of year.

Panfish will  move into shallow areas, especially on warm, sunny afternoons. The bite can be really good, especially in the mid afternoon. Look for shallow, dark bottom bays with scattered weeds, woods or reeds. The fish may be very tight to shore, but don't overlook the first break into deeper water. In areas with current, look for schools of fish in deeper holes and outside turns, even if these areas are very small. Remember the largest panfish will always be in the bottom of the school, so if you're catching fish, but they are small, try getting your bait a little deeper. Bluegills will hit on a variety of live bait, including redworms, dillys, waxworms, spikes, or butterworms. For active bluegills, plastics will outperform live bait, and will usually help keep some of the smaller fish off your line. For crappies, tail hooked minnows, skirted grubs, road runners, or waxworms on an ice-fishing jig will really produce. (Try: Okauchee, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac Labelle, Silver, Golden, School Section, Middle Geneesee or Nagawicka, and I'll point out that Ashippun is apparently the hot spot right now.

Largemouth are in various stages of the spawn. Lots of fish are still cruising the flats, while some males are up on the nests, especially in areas where the water is warmest. The bite has been inconsistent since Sunday's rain, but can be good at times. Look for LM in shallow areas with rock, sand or muck. Protected bays with wood laydowns or weeds will really concentrate fish. As the temperature warms up this week, look for more of the larger males to start making some nests around docks and other shoreline cover. Larger female fish will begin feeding on rockbars and around scattered weeds. You can use a variety of presentations to chase these fish. Flappers are a great option to find fish, before slowing down to make tighter presentations. Jig and chunks/ jig and craws/ jig and eels will catch less fish, but are a great way to catch a bigger fish, especially when fished tight to cover. Slower presentations like wacky worms, texas rigged lizards or tubes are all great for probing areas, but spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, and crawfish imitating shallow diving crankbaits will all catch fish right now. Using live bait? Leeches, nightcrawlers or large shiners are your best option. (Try Okauchee, Moose, Kessus, Golden, Silver, Fowler, Pine, and Nagawicka)

Smallmouth bass are starting to appear in rocky areas, cruising and foraging. Look for them in the usual early season spots, but don't be afraid to look for them as deep as 25 feet, where they will be feeding on schools of yellow perch. Spinnerbaits are a great way to cover water, tubes are a great way to look for fish around the dropoffs and on the shallow rockbars. Lindy rigging with large shiners can really produce some amazing fish this time of year. (Try Lac Labelle, Pine, Nagawicka, and Oconomowoc)

Walleye:  Look for walleyes in shallow water, around rocks or sand, or at the end of longer points especially early in the morning, and later in the evening. In the daylight hours, schools of fish will be cruising the sand flats in 8-15 feet of water. Live bait rigging, (Lindy rigs with small suckers!) jig and minnow or jig and leech combos, or trolling with shad or minnow imitators are your best approaches. (Try Oconomowoc, Lac Labelle, Fowler, Nagawicka or Pine)

Northern pike were chasing bait fish around shallow weeds, especially near marshy areas, and will aggressively bite spinners, buzzbaits, lipless crankbaits or live bait suspended around shallow weeds.(Try: Moose, Kessus, Okauchee, Fowler, School Section, Pretty and Nagawicka)

Musky fishing has been slow but steady for the guys putting in the time. Most fish are in 5-12 feet of water, and are biting on swimbaits, gliders, jerkbaits and bucktails. Remember to do your figure eights on every cast right now, as lots of anglers were reporting lazy follows this past weekend. Personally, I like to use smaller baits in a black and blue, or black and orange combination at this point in the year. (Try Okauchee, Garvin, Lac Labelle, Fowler and Pewaukee for Musky)

Catfish were starting to bite more aggressively on the Rock River. Look for them around wood on the bottom, or in the channel turns. Stink bait, cutbait or nightcrawlers were all producing.

Trout fishing was consistent on the stocked lakes and ponds around the area.

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There's a WABTA Tournament for bass on Pewaukee this weekend, and next weekend there are Musky Tournaments on Pewaukee (Saturday) and Okauchee (Sunday).

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The next two weeks will represent some great fishing.....get out there.

Cheers,
CT

Okauchee 5-10-12

Out today on Okauchee during the midday for a few hours. Picked up Frank, who was fishing at the launch from shore. Great guy and we had a fun, if less productive than hoped mid-day.

Moved around a bit looking for a consistent bite. Lots of little bass swimming in the shallows, saw a few on beds, but not as many as I would have thought. Lots of fish cruising still, very difficult to get them to bite.

Threw wacky, jig and chunk, texas rig and a worm rig I've been experimenting with. Best bite was on wacky, but got lots of bites where fish would only grab part of the worm.

Ended with 5 keeper sized bass 14-18in. Couple of females full of spawn, and probably had bites from another 9-10 fish, including a decent pike who took the trailer right off my jig.

Here's Frank with one of the bass.

Out again tomorrow with clients. Report to follow.

Cheers,
CT

Governor's Fishing Opener 2012

Governor Scott Walker met with similar success to his predecessors in the annual Governor's fishing opener again this year. Like last year: a Shutout.

Video here.

Next year: a Challenge to the Wisconsin Governor: I can help you to break this skunky streak.

Just Email me here we'll get you all fixed up.

Cheers,
CT

Opening Weekend

Got chased off the water this morning, just as we were starting to get bit...how was your opener?

Opening Weekend Resources-2012 Season

Here is my annual pre-opening weekend post. Look for an final update Friday, May 4th with weather and water conditions from around the area.

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 DNR's 2012 Spring Fishing Forecast is available here.

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

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Fish Stocking


The complete stocking report is available from the DNR at the new database.
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Trout:

2012 Catchable Trout Stocking:Information available at this link.

Local Lakes with put and take trout this season include:
FOWLER LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1,263
LOWER GENESEE LAKE: BROOK TROUT 1,045
LOWER GENESEE LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1,263
LOWER NASHOTAH LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 1,263
OTTAWA LAKE: RAINBOW TROUT 842
PARADISE SPRINGS HEADWATER POND: BROOK TROUT 300

Other Trout Stockings in
CALHOUN PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 200
DELAFIELD POND:  RAINBOW TROUT 200
FOX BROOK PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 3,100
HEYER PARK POND: NORTH RAINBOW TROUT 200
HEYER PARK POND: SOUTH RAINBOW TROUT 400
LANNON COUNTY PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 3,300
LEPPER POND: RAINBOW TROUT 400
LIONS PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 200
MINOOKA PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 1,200MUSKEGO PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 1,200
NIXON PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 200
REGAL PARK POND: RAINBOW TROUT 400
WOODFIELD PARK POND: NORTH RAINBOW TROUT 400
WOODFIELD PARK POND: SOUTH RAINBOW TROUT 400


Panfish:

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


Bass:

Lindy or split shot rigs with nightcrawlers or suspending large shiners under slip bobbers are your best live bait options. Texas rigged plastic lizards, wacky worms and jigs with a chunk trailer will be good options if fished very slowly. Slow rolling spinnerbaits or ripping rattletraps around weedy cover could produce some reaction strikes. Smaller fish will be patrolling the shallows, but don't expect to see many fish on beds. Larger fish will be deeper than normal for the opener. Look for them around the ends of points that are near spawning areas.

Best lakes for largemouth: Okauchee, Silver, Nagawicka, Golden, Pine, Moose, Kessus, Pretty and School Section.

Smallmouth remain will be in deeper water for the most part, although a few have been seen making foraging runs into rocky areas during the middle part of the day on sunny afternoons. Look for them to be suspended in the water column in deep water near points and other rocky structure. Suspending Jerkbaits, swimbaits, slow rolled spinnerbaits or twister tail grubs are good options for chasing suspended smallmouths. If you can find some fish on the rocks, lindy rigging with leeches or nightcrawlers should do the trick.

Best lakes for smallmouth: Nagawicka, Lower Nehmabin, Oconomowoc, Pine, Lac La Belle.


Walleye:

Bottom bouncers with spinner harnesses, lindy rigs and jigs will all catch walleyes. I'd consider using a mix of live bait in the form of nightcrawlers, leeches and small suckers. Look for walleyes to relate the edges of shallow water. I'd run live bait rigs to find fish, then fish an active area hard with crankbaits like a shad rap or floating rapalas.

Best lakes for walleye: Lac La Belle, Pewaukee, Pine and Oconomowoc.

Northern Pike:
This is prime time to chase pike with live bait. Use big bobbers and suspend large shiners and suckers around weed edges or near areas with visible panfish. Casting with lipless crankbaits or spinner baits, especially around shallow weeds on the flat areas can be dynamite.

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


Musky:

 You never lose out by floating a sucker on a quick strike rig while casting. I'd stick to jerkbaits, gliders or small bucktails for the opener this year, and concentrate your efforts on any scattered weed clumps you can find. I'd plan on being methodical and be ready to make lots of casts to an area to get neutral fish to bite.

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

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Good Luck out there!
CT

Fishing Report 4-27-12

Well gang, I wish I had better news. As I write this, I am watching the weatherman tell me there's a chance for snow again this weekend.

The cold nights have really put a damper on fishing in our area. Water in some places is back into the high 40's...and that's going to make for a tough bite for the opener next week.

For this last week before gamefish season, concentrate your efforts on the warmest water you can find. It is worth the effort to do a little searching, a few degree temperature difference can be critical. Areas with current are secondary options, but until we get a couple of warmer, sunny afternoons (expected for late next week) fish activity will be slow.

This doesn't mean fish can't be caught, just that you have to work for them. Remember when you were a kid and fishing was all about patience? It's like that again.

Fish tight to green weeds, wood laydowns or  other visible cover. Steep drops close to shore will concentrate fish, especially if there is cover nearby. Some panfish will be shallow, but most will be in green weeds in 6-12 fow. Live bait is probably your best approach, but tipped plastics could be the ticket later in the afternoon. Either way, keep your presentation tight to the cover you are fishing, and be ready to wait them out.

I'd stick to the smaller lakes, especially the darker bottom ones for the weekend. Sometimes with tough conditions like we have right now, they can really produce.


Good Luck.

PS. One last reminder, I'll be speaking at Musky Mikes on Saturday the 28th, at 11am.

Shameless Self Promotion/Ego Stroking Post

I was responding to some Private Messages on Lake-Link today, when I noticed that my picture was the front page fish "snap shot."

My first 10lb+ bass. I don't take enough pictures of the fish I catch, but I was and remain proud of that one.

See it here.


Cheers,
CT

Opening Weekend: The Preview

I'll be speaking at Musky Mikes, Saturday, April 28th at 11am as part of the shop's annual pre-opening weekend event.

I'll be talking about some strategies for opening weekend on the local lakes.

Drop by and say hello.

Cheers,
CT

Fishing Report 4-20-12

Well...frankly I wish I had more to report. With the quick return to early spring weather conditions, there has been a drop off in both fishing and the fish being caught.


Water temps are in the lower 50's on most lakes in our area. Some of the protected, dark bottomed bays are marginally warmer, but the reality is that the water has cooled off dramatically from earlier this year.

As the water has cooled, the fish have pulled out deeper. Rather than shallow weeds on a flat, focus your attention on sandgrass or weed edges in 8-12 FOW. The regular tricks will work, but the bite has been off.

Good Luck,
CT

Bob Riepenhoff

The former outdoor editor of the Journal Sentinel, Bob Riepenhoff has died.

Bob and I fished together many, many times over the years, and the first outdoors article I appeared in with Bob was when I taught him how to use a wacky worm for bass fishing the week before I got married. After our first trip together, we would fish for walleyes, bass, crappies, and bluegills on a variety of trips, some for the paper and some just for fun.

I have lots of funny stories about the time we spent in the boat together, but my best memory of Bob will always be the time I took him into the Oconomowoc River for bluegills. I was studying for an exam, and he was catching keeper sized gills as fast as he could get his line in the water. After a few hours of the fast action that beautiful spring day, he was giggling like a little kid.

He was a great guy, and he will be missed.

JS Online Story is here.

Fishing Report 4-13-2012

Friday the 13th.

Well the main news is that less people have been fishing, and less fish are being caught. The cooler weather has made the bite tougher than it has been. Water temps are back in the low 50's in most areas, although you may find some warmer water in protected bays or the smaller lakes.

Technique hasn't changed much, but depth has. Fish are still relating to shallow green weeds in dark bottom bays, but some fish have pulled back out to deeper water. I'd start shallow, and if you can't find active or big enough fish, move out to the next break, even as deep as 12 FOW.

Crappies will bite minnows suspended above them, but the best way to bait them right now is to use a much smaller aberdeen hook, and hook your minnow through the tail. Over the years I have found this to be a much better way to present a minnow to finicky fish, and I am continually surprised how many people fail to consider the use this little trick. If the bite is really tough...two waxworms on a very small hook can produce some bites. As always, fish tight to cover and keep the bait above the fish.

Bluegills are still using the weeds, but keepers have been harder to come by. I'd stay away from the bigger water and focus on small bays, or the smaller lakes. Areas with dark bottoms or reeds will concentrate fish.

Weather looks to be a bit unstable, so expect conditions to change over the weekend. Warm weather will probably turn the fish back on.

Questions...comments or concerns...email me.

Wisconsin DNR Conservation Congress Results

Are now posted. Check them out at this link.

A great tip

On rod transport from FLW Pro Scott Suggs


I agree with him, wish I would have thought of this before.