First off, a couple of things to note.
1.) I'll be speaking Tuesday, July 3rd at the Okauchee Lake Fishing Club meeting on night fishing Nagawicka and other area lakes.
2.) If you're in town for the holidays and looking to get some fishing in...call or email me.
Onto business:
Panfish have moved into their summer patterns. Small panfish can be
caught in shallow water, especially around docks or swim platforms, while
better sized fish are being caught out of the deeper water, where they
are suspending about 12 feet down over 18-25 feet of water. There's a
third batch which is still relating to weed clumps in 6-12 feet of water, . Best Bets: The Gennessee Lakes, Silver, Ashippun (Including from Shore), Ottawa (Great for shore) Upper and Lower Nashotah, Fowler, Garvin, Okauchee, Nagawicka, Forest (Shore Option) and Pine.
Largemouth bass are relating to weed edges in 8-15
feet of water. These fish can be taken on swimbaits, spinnerbaits,
crankbaits, texas rigged worms, nightcrawlers or small suckers fished
just along the outside edge. Skipping piers is
producing a few fish as well. Wacky Worms, Shakey heads and tubes are
all producing. If you're an early riser, topwater poppers, spooks and
buzzbaits are catching some nice fish off the weedflats in 5-12 feet
right now, but only consistently at first light. Slop bite is picking up, especially with the heat. Best Bets: Okauchee, Moose, Golden, Nagawicka, Pine, School Section and Kessus.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been spotty, but there are lots of
fish using rocky points and bars both early and later in the day. It
seems like most fish are patrolling the flats, and most anglers are
reporting that they are not finding active smallies near weeds. Skirted
grubs, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads and small suckers are catching
some consistent bags of fish. If you see lots of baitfish around rocky
areas, try a jerkbait or floating rapala. Best Bets: Nagawicka, Pine, Lac Labelle and Oconomowoc.
Walleye fishing has been slow with the heat this past
week.
Fish are being caught along shallow inside and outside weed edges or
off deeper flats with sandgrass. Vertically jigging with live bait or
plastics has been better during the day, while throwing cranks and
minnow baits has been producing early and late. Suckers, backtrolled on
lindy or a slip-sinker rig has been producing the larger fish. Lac
Labelle, North, Druid, Oconomowoc and Pine.
Pike fishing has been red hot lately. Lots of smaller pike are
using the shallow weedflats to feed on small gills and juvenile perch.
Spinners baits, lipless crankbaits, small bucktails or buzzbaits will
produce when fished tight to weedclumps. Looking for something bigger?
Move out to the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers
or large shiners on a slip sinker rig. Try, Fowler, Fox Emily, Moose (including from shore), Kessus, Golden, Nagawicka, Garvin, Okauchee and School Section.
Musky fishing slowed down with the heat wave, although some of the drop off in action is certainly due to people staying off the water this past week.
Some anglers have been catching suspended fish out over deeper water
pulling crankbaits. Some fish are also being taken by targeting points
along the deepedges of the weedline by fisherman casting with
bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits and swimbaits. Suckers on a quick strike
rig continue to convert fish, even this late into the summer.
Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, Okauchee, Garvin and Fowler.
Shore fishing was extremely limited this past week due to the heat....but watch for more information after the holiday.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, June 29, 2012
Public Service Announcement: 2012 Big Ten Tournament
UW-Madison is hosting the Big Ten Bass Fishing Tournament this fall, the weekend of September 29-30th.
The Badger Team will be looking for people to drive boats for the competitors and sponsors for the event. If you're interested in helping or donating contact me and I can get you in contact with the team for more information.
The Badger Team will be looking for people to drive boats for the competitors and sponsors for the event. If you're interested in helping or donating contact me and I can get you in contact with the team for more information.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Golden Lake Video
I'm looking at Bass Cat Boats right now. While I was in Texas, I received a call from a dealer in Illinois named Frank Hyla.
Frank filmed an episode of his fishing show, Time on the Water, on Golden Lake. There's also episodes from Okauchee and Whitewater.
A link to his YouTube Page is here.
Here's the preview from the Golden Lake episode:
Frank filmed an episode of his fishing show, Time on the Water, on Golden Lake. There's also episodes from Okauchee and Whitewater.
A link to his YouTube Page is here.
Here's the preview from the Golden Lake episode:
Friday, June 22, 2012
Fishing Report 6-22-12
Short version: The fishing conditions are pretty typical for this time of year.
Bluegills are done spawning for the most part, and although small gills can still be found in the shallows, better panfish are starting to appear on the deeper weedlines or suspended over deep water. Silver, Golden, Ashipunn, Upper Genessee, Garvin and Lower Nashotah. Shore fishing: Try the Piers at Fowler, Lac Labelle or Moose.
Bass are into summer patterns, anglers over the reported catching fish both shallow and deep. The fishing has been slower on the hot days, better on the cooler ones. Docks, slop and the deep weedlines all have fish. LM have been active on Oconomowoc, Golden, Kessus, Nag, Forest and Pine, but most area lakes should most have active fish on weed edges in 6-12 feet of water. Piers have been very good during the brightest of the day, and the slop bite is starting to really pick up. Topwater fish are being caught before 8am over flat areas adjacent to deep water, especially areas with small patches of milfoil. Fishing from shore: Forest, Moose and Elm Brook park are solid options.
Muskies have been very inconsistent. Some anglers have begun trolling for them in deeper water, but other anglers have reported raising fish along the deepest weedlines. Quality fish have been in short supply, but some high 30's were caught this past week. I've heard from anglers fishing Labelle, Okauchee, Oconomowoc and Pewaukee all with success in the last week.
Walleye action has been about average. Spinner harnesses with leeches, back trolled on lindy rigs or bottom bouncers with slow death rigs with a nightcrawler. Weededges and sand grass are the areas to key in on, especially in 18-22 FOW. Night fishing traditionally picks up about now, and floating rapala minnow baits fished over weeds on the ends of long points can really produce. Lac Labelle for action, Fox or Oconomowoc for keepers.
Pike action has steady. Fish the weed flats and outside edges with spinners or live bait. Smaller, wide wobbling crankbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits. Try Moose, Golden, Okauchee, School Section, Kessus, Emily Fox or Nag for Pike.
Good Luck,
CT
Bluegills are done spawning for the most part, and although small gills can still be found in the shallows, better panfish are starting to appear on the deeper weedlines or suspended over deep water. Silver, Golden, Ashipunn, Upper Genessee, Garvin and Lower Nashotah. Shore fishing: Try the Piers at Fowler, Lac Labelle or Moose.
Bass are into summer patterns, anglers over the reported catching fish both shallow and deep. The fishing has been slower on the hot days, better on the cooler ones. Docks, slop and the deep weedlines all have fish. LM have been active on Oconomowoc, Golden, Kessus, Nag, Forest and Pine, but most area lakes should most have active fish on weed edges in 6-12 feet of water. Piers have been very good during the brightest of the day, and the slop bite is starting to really pick up. Topwater fish are being caught before 8am over flat areas adjacent to deep water, especially areas with small patches of milfoil. Fishing from shore: Forest, Moose and Elm Brook park are solid options.
Muskies have been very inconsistent. Some anglers have begun trolling for them in deeper water, but other anglers have reported raising fish along the deepest weedlines. Quality fish have been in short supply, but some high 30's were caught this past week. I've heard from anglers fishing Labelle, Okauchee, Oconomowoc and Pewaukee all with success in the last week.
Walleye action has been about average. Spinner harnesses with leeches, back trolled on lindy rigs or bottom bouncers with slow death rigs with a nightcrawler. Weededges and sand grass are the areas to key in on, especially in 18-22 FOW. Night fishing traditionally picks up about now, and floating rapala minnow baits fished over weeds on the ends of long points can really produce. Lac Labelle for action, Fox or Oconomowoc for keepers.
Pike action has steady. Fish the weed flats and outside edges with spinners or live bait. Smaller, wide wobbling crankbaits, buzzbaits and lipless crankbaits. Try Moose, Golden, Okauchee, School Section, Kessus, Emily Fox or Nag for Pike.
Good Luck,
CT
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
On the water....
I have been out a bunch lately. Summer patterns are in full effect, although getting sporadic reports that people are having trouble patterning fish this season. Given the crazy weather we have had, I'm not surprised to hear this.
The best advice I can give is to stick to your guns, but understand that a little adjustment, a tweak here or there might be necessary. It has been hot (as in temperature), and the fish are biting, but slowing down and being a little more methodical about your approach might be necessary.
For example, I'm catching lots of fish off the traditional mid-depth break lines (classic early to mid summer pattern), but I'm making a little adjustment to fish on the deeper side of the break, and to slow way down. The fish are where they are supposed to be, but a slower approach is triggering bites....which if you put two and two together...warm weather/sluggish fish...makes perfect sense.
Here's some pictures. Averaging better than 50 fish a trip on Silver right now.
The best advice I can give is to stick to your guns, but understand that a little adjustment, a tweak here or there might be necessary. It has been hot (as in temperature), and the fish are biting, but slowing down and being a little more methodical about your approach might be necessary.
For example, I'm catching lots of fish off the traditional mid-depth break lines (classic early to mid summer pattern), but I'm making a little adjustment to fish on the deeper side of the break, and to slow way down. The fish are where they are supposed to be, but a slower approach is triggering bites....which if you put two and two together...warm weather/sluggish fish...makes perfect sense.
Here's some pictures. Averaging better than 50 fish a trip on Silver right now.
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| Jay with a nice one from this morning. |
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| Mike with a nice one from Golden Lake early this morning. |
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| Patrice with one of more than 50 from Mid-Day on Friday. |
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| My academic mentor, Bob Drechsel with a Silver Lake bass..caught on the first cast with his shiny new St Croix. |
Operation: Dry Water
Looks like the DNR is going to be out in force this weekend. Even if you're not drinking, you might want to double check that your carrying all your safety gear, that it is in working order and easy to access, and that your battery terminals are covered.
From the DNR:
Conservation wardens to enforce safety by stopping impaired boat operators
If you are on Wisconsin waters this weekend, you will see Wisconsin’s conservation wardens and local boat patrols looking for impaired boat operators whose blood alcohol level is over the state limit of 0.08 percent. This weekend event is part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign slated for June 22 - 24.
“We want to enhance everyone's safety by removing intoxicated boat operators from the water. We hope to educate as many boaters as possible about the hazards of operating while intoxicated," Roy Zellmer, Department of Natural Resources boating law administrator, said.
A boat operator or passenger with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit runs a significantly increased risk of being involved in a boating accident. When impaired by alcohol, boating accidents are more likely and more deadly for both passengers and boat operators, many of whom capsize their vessel or simply fall overboard.
Operating while intoxicated is a primary contributing factor in nearly one in five boating fatalities nationwide, and Wisconsin’s conservation wardens and boat patrols are committed to enforcing laws against this high-risk behavior to protect everyone on the water.
Boaters found operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher will find their voyage terminated and they will be removed from the water for everyone's safety.
Last year, Wisconsin’s conservation warden service and local water patrols dedicated 1,684 hours and contacted 1,870 boaters during Operation Dry Water. There were 14 arrests of boating under the influence and 162 other boating citations issued along with 599 boating-related warnings.
Operation Dry Water, a multi-agency, education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, puts thousands of local, state and federal marine law enforcement officers on the water nationwide the last weekend in June to give operating while intoxicated enforcement high visibility during the peak
boating season.
"Boaters who choose to operate while intoxicate will face the consequences of that decision," Zellmer said. "We want recreational boaters to enjoy themselves, but there will be zero tolerance for boating under the influence.”
Operation Dry Water is a joint program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit www.operationdrywater.org. For more information on boating in Wisconsin, search for "boat" on the DNR website.
From the DNR:
Conservation wardens to enforce safety by stopping impaired boat operators
If you are on Wisconsin waters this weekend, you will see Wisconsin’s conservation wardens and local boat patrols looking for impaired boat operators whose blood alcohol level is over the state limit of 0.08 percent. This weekend event is part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign slated for June 22 - 24.
“We want to enhance everyone's safety by removing intoxicated boat operators from the water. We hope to educate as many boaters as possible about the hazards of operating while intoxicated," Roy Zellmer, Department of Natural Resources boating law administrator, said.
A boat operator or passenger with a blood alcohol concentration above the legal limit runs a significantly increased risk of being involved in a boating accident. When impaired by alcohol, boating accidents are more likely and more deadly for both passengers and boat operators, many of whom capsize their vessel or simply fall overboard.
Operating while intoxicated is a primary contributing factor in nearly one in five boating fatalities nationwide, and Wisconsin’s conservation wardens and boat patrols are committed to enforcing laws against this high-risk behavior to protect everyone on the water.
Boaters found operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or higher will find their voyage terminated and they will be removed from the water for everyone's safety.
Last year, Wisconsin’s conservation warden service and local water patrols dedicated 1,684 hours and contacted 1,870 boaters during Operation Dry Water. There were 14 arrests of boating under the influence and 162 other boating citations issued along with 599 boating-related warnings.
Operation Dry Water, a multi-agency, education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in 2009 in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, puts thousands of local, state and federal marine law enforcement officers on the water nationwide the last weekend in June to give operating while intoxicated enforcement high visibility during the peak
boating season.
"Boaters who choose to operate while intoxicate will face the consequences of that decision," Zellmer said. "We want recreational boaters to enjoy themselves, but there will be zero tolerance for boating under the influence.”
Operation Dry Water is a joint program of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard. For more information, visit www.operationdrywater.org. For more information on boating in Wisconsin, search for "boat" on the DNR website.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Help me out.
Last year, I entered a contest put on by Lurenet.com for Father's Day. I told the story of how my Dad and I were together in Canada when he caught his largest Northern Pike ever.
This year, I've entered a similar contest from FLW along the same lines. I'm in the final five, and I need your help to get me to the top.
Can you take a minute...and go vote for my photo? Vote for "A fisherman and his dad"
Thanks,
CT
This year, I've entered a similar contest from FLW along the same lines. I'm in the final five, and I need your help to get me to the top.
Can you take a minute...and go vote for my photo? Vote for "A fisherman and his dad"
Thanks,
CT
Sunday, June 17, 2012
Father's Day Outing...with my kids.
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| Look at that grin.....do you think he'll be fishing like his dad? |
Gathered up my older son and daughter for some quality time with dad. My kids love to fish, but like most kids their age, have a built in time window for attention.
Hit Moose to stay away from the pleasure boats. Didn't make a big deal out of it. One rod each, set up for catching panfish in the shallow water. (Small bobber, split shot and panfish hooks with live bait)
With kids, faster action always trumps size.
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| Shannon (Age 5) with the first fish of the day. |
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| Shannon with a nice bluegill. |
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| Quinn (Age 3) with "the fish that kept splashing her." |
Friday, June 15, 2012
Fishing with dad this weekend? Try these helpful links.
Shore Fishing Locations:
DNR Site For Waukesha County
DNR Site for Milwaukee County
Becky Smith's List of Local Shore Fishing and Boat Rentals
Other Useful Links
DNR Equipment Loaner Program
DNR Site for Maps of Trout Streams (Direct link for Waukesha County is here)
DNR Site for Boat Launches in Wisconsin
Have fun this weekend.....
DNR Site For Waukesha County
DNR Site for Milwaukee County
Becky Smith's List of Local Shore Fishing and Boat Rentals
Other Useful Links
DNR Equipment Loaner Program
DNR Site for Maps of Trout Streams (Direct link for Waukesha County is here)
DNR Site for Boat Launches in Wisconsin
Have fun this weekend.....
Thursday, June 14, 2012
Fishing Report 6-14-2012
Middle of June already....
Conditions have stabilized into early summer patterns. The only two items of note are that the water is a little cooler than normal and weed growth is far ahead of normal.
Panfish are close to done spawning on most of the lakes. You may find some stragglers here and there, but the bulk of the nesting activity is over. Time to start looking for panfish suspending off the ends of points or off weedlines. 12 feet down over 15-22 FOW is a good starting point. I like to fish vertically for these fish, although slip bobbers can really produce. If you're on fish, but they're running small, try getting you bait a foot-18inches deeper...the bigger fish are traditionally at the bottom of the school.
Largemouth Bass fishing has been above average. The shallow fish are moving into traditional spots: slop, docks and shallow rockbars and the larger fish are recovered from the spawn. On bright sunny days, fish tight to cover...flipping into weed pockets, or texas rigs on deep weed edges can really produce. On the windy days, try crankbaits or spinner baits on edges or transition areas in 8-12 or 12-15 FOW. I'm catching a bunch of fish on black w/red flake plastics as well as smoke colored flapper grubs. Natural colors (browns, pumpkins and greens) have been better for the jig/chunk-jig/craw combos.
Smallmouth are biting, but the bite seems a little inconsistent by most reports. Some days you can knock them dead, some days they have been a little scarce. Stick to the plan...look for them on top of mainlake structure and points early and late, and look for them in deeper water during the main part of the day. White deep diving crankbaits have been hot, as have smaller (3") tubes in watermelon red, and I wouldn't overlook a traditional approach: size 9 or 11 floating rapalas in a silver/black pattern.
Northern Pike continue to bite. Shallow fish are actively chasing buzzbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits, especially on the shallow-flat areas with scattered weeds. Out deep, slip-sinker rigs with small suckers or the biggest shiners have been red hot for larger fish. Okauchee and Fowler have put out some nice pike the last week, but some of the smaller lakes (School Section/Pretty/Moose/Emily) are also producing.
Walleye fishing has slowed down as the fish have moved out deeper. If you've been catching eyes at one depth, look for them in the same areas but at the next major depth contour. Deep weeds seem to be key, but a few people have been catching them off of deeper sand. Nighttime trolling bite should pick up this next week if the weather stays stable. Pine and Oconomowoc had the best reports. Koshkonong has a very low water level right now, and it is impeding the fishing out there some.
Musky fishing has been pretty good. Bucktails are catching/raising some decent fish along mid-depth weed breaks while crankbaits/jerkbaits are raising some fish off the first deep break. Pewaukee has been solid, although all reports have heavy mats of weeds floating in many areas. Oconomowoc has been better than Okauchee, and Lac Labelle has been better than Oconomowoc...no direct word on Fowler or North lakes from this past week.
On the shore fishing front...some gamefish and smaller panfish were caught at the Moose Lake and Ottawa launches...and some decent panfish have been caught from Forest Lake in Nashotah Park. White bass run in Jefferson/Ft Akinson is winding down, but catfish have been caught out of the deeper shoreline holes from the Crawfish and Rock Rivers. I'll have more next week on the shore fishing around the area...so stay tuned.
Good Luck, and take Dad fishing this weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Conditions have stabilized into early summer patterns. The only two items of note are that the water is a little cooler than normal and weed growth is far ahead of normal.
Panfish are close to done spawning on most of the lakes. You may find some stragglers here and there, but the bulk of the nesting activity is over. Time to start looking for panfish suspending off the ends of points or off weedlines. 12 feet down over 15-22 FOW is a good starting point. I like to fish vertically for these fish, although slip bobbers can really produce. If you're on fish, but they're running small, try getting you bait a foot-18inches deeper...the bigger fish are traditionally at the bottom of the school.
Largemouth Bass fishing has been above average. The shallow fish are moving into traditional spots: slop, docks and shallow rockbars and the larger fish are recovered from the spawn. On bright sunny days, fish tight to cover...flipping into weed pockets, or texas rigs on deep weed edges can really produce. On the windy days, try crankbaits or spinner baits on edges or transition areas in 8-12 or 12-15 FOW. I'm catching a bunch of fish on black w/red flake plastics as well as smoke colored flapper grubs. Natural colors (browns, pumpkins and greens) have been better for the jig/chunk-jig/craw combos.
Smallmouth are biting, but the bite seems a little inconsistent by most reports. Some days you can knock them dead, some days they have been a little scarce. Stick to the plan...look for them on top of mainlake structure and points early and late, and look for them in deeper water during the main part of the day. White deep diving crankbaits have been hot, as have smaller (3") tubes in watermelon red, and I wouldn't overlook a traditional approach: size 9 or 11 floating rapalas in a silver/black pattern.
Northern Pike continue to bite. Shallow fish are actively chasing buzzbaits, chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits, especially on the shallow-flat areas with scattered weeds. Out deep, slip-sinker rigs with small suckers or the biggest shiners have been red hot for larger fish. Okauchee and Fowler have put out some nice pike the last week, but some of the smaller lakes (School Section/Pretty/Moose/Emily) are also producing.
Walleye fishing has slowed down as the fish have moved out deeper. If you've been catching eyes at one depth, look for them in the same areas but at the next major depth contour. Deep weeds seem to be key, but a few people have been catching them off of deeper sand. Nighttime trolling bite should pick up this next week if the weather stays stable. Pine and Oconomowoc had the best reports. Koshkonong has a very low water level right now, and it is impeding the fishing out there some.
Musky fishing has been pretty good. Bucktails are catching/raising some decent fish along mid-depth weed breaks while crankbaits/jerkbaits are raising some fish off the first deep break. Pewaukee has been solid, although all reports have heavy mats of weeds floating in many areas. Oconomowoc has been better than Okauchee, and Lac Labelle has been better than Oconomowoc...no direct word on Fowler or North lakes from this past week.
On the shore fishing front...some gamefish and smaller panfish were caught at the Moose Lake and Ottawa launches...and some decent panfish have been caught from Forest Lake in Nashotah Park. White bass run in Jefferson/Ft Akinson is winding down, but catfish have been caught out of the deeper shoreline holes from the Crawfish and Rock Rivers. I'll have more next week on the shore fishing around the area...so stay tuned.
Good Luck, and take Dad fishing this weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Monday, June 11, 2012
Father's Day is right around the corner. If you're looking for a special gift for dad, why not get him a fishing lesson or guided trip. He doesn't need another tie anyway.
I have a special rate going $50 off a half trip...and I'll extend that to any certificates purchased as Father's Day gifts.
Email me or call me 262-893-2183 For Details.
I have a special rate going $50 off a half trip...and I'll extend that to any certificates purchased as Father's Day gifts.
Email me or call me 262-893-2183 For Details.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Fishing Report 6-8-12
Early June fishing is in full effect.
Right now most lakes are in the low to mid 70s. Weed growth varies from lake to lake, but is advanced for this point in the year.
Bass Fishing has been steady, producing some quality bags of fish. Fish are starting to move into an early summer pattern, with lots of areas and techniques producing. On cloudy days, topwater and crankbaits are catching lots of fish over open water areas, especially weed patches on the mid-depth flats in 6-12 feet of water. On sunny days, especially those with lots of wind, fish are tighter to cover or using shallow rock bars in 3-8 feet of water. Plastics, flipped, skipped, pitched, wacky or texas rigged are great ways to target these fish. Live bait on slip sinker rigs are catching some nice fish for anglers making solid drifts over productive areas.
Pike fishing has been solid and steady, with lots of quality fish coming in. The number one way to catch pike right now is a small sucker or medium to large shiner on a slip sinker rig with a flourocarbon leader. Drift along the deeper edges of weeds and you'll find some fish. Lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits and spinner baits are also producing, especially in the shallow water.
Musky fishing continued to be steady last week. The larger fish have started to move out to the breaks, but there's still a solid number of fish patrolling the shallow water, feeding on schooled up panfish.
Walleye fishing has been pretty good, but much better on cloudy or windy days. Fish on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc, Pine and Fox Lake are still using shallow weeds and weed edges. Jigging with live bait or drifting with lindy rigs/ spinner harnesses has been productive Trolling with Shad Raps is picking up on both Winnebago and on Koshkonong. Slower speeds over the deeper part of the basins appears to be the trick. Pulling boards is working, but more than one angler has reported doing much better with hand held rods.
Bluegills are spawning on most area lakes. If you're looking for action, areas of beds can be found in the shallows, but if you want some bigger fish, move out to 9-15 feet of water and look for beds in gravel and sandy areas. Vertical fishing with a split shot and live bait rig works great, as does pulling a 1/8 ounce lindy rig with a short leader through likely areas. (Try panfish leaches or leafworms) It's not the bobber approach which works great in the shallows, but it can really produce some quality keepers.
Good Luck,
CT
Right now most lakes are in the low to mid 70s. Weed growth varies from lake to lake, but is advanced for this point in the year.
Bass Fishing has been steady, producing some quality bags of fish. Fish are starting to move into an early summer pattern, with lots of areas and techniques producing. On cloudy days, topwater and crankbaits are catching lots of fish over open water areas, especially weed patches on the mid-depth flats in 6-12 feet of water. On sunny days, especially those with lots of wind, fish are tighter to cover or using shallow rock bars in 3-8 feet of water. Plastics, flipped, skipped, pitched, wacky or texas rigged are great ways to target these fish. Live bait on slip sinker rigs are catching some nice fish for anglers making solid drifts over productive areas.
Pike fishing has been solid and steady, with lots of quality fish coming in. The number one way to catch pike right now is a small sucker or medium to large shiner on a slip sinker rig with a flourocarbon leader. Drift along the deeper edges of weeds and you'll find some fish. Lipless crankbaits, buzzbaits and spinner baits are also producing, especially in the shallow water.
Musky fishing continued to be steady last week. The larger fish have started to move out to the breaks, but there's still a solid number of fish patrolling the shallow water, feeding on schooled up panfish.
Walleye fishing has been pretty good, but much better on cloudy or windy days. Fish on Lac Labelle, Oconomowoc, Pine and Fox Lake are still using shallow weeds and weed edges. Jigging with live bait or drifting with lindy rigs/ spinner harnesses has been productive Trolling with Shad Raps is picking up on both Winnebago and on Koshkonong. Slower speeds over the deeper part of the basins appears to be the trick. Pulling boards is working, but more than one angler has reported doing much better with hand held rods.
Bluegills are spawning on most area lakes. If you're looking for action, areas of beds can be found in the shallows, but if you want some bigger fish, move out to 9-15 feet of water and look for beds in gravel and sandy areas. Vertical fishing with a split shot and live bait rig works great, as does pulling a 1/8 ounce lindy rig with a short leader through likely areas. (Try panfish leaches or leafworms) It's not the bobber approach which works great in the shallows, but it can really produce some quality keepers.
Good Luck,
CT
Monday, June 4, 2012
Sunday-Monday: On The Water
Sunday: Silver Lake.
Ended up with 52 fish...including a crappie, a couple of Rockbass and 49 LM 9-18."
Fish were in the usual spots...drops/edges of the flats and the deeper weeds. Water was 67 when I pulled the boat.
Then out this morning on Golden for an early run, fished 5:30-9:30.
Fairly typical morning. Caught 16 LM all 12-16inches, plus a couple of small pike (around 22inches).
Lost a really big bass right by the boat...ran straight at me and I just never got a good hookset. One of the bigger fish I have seen on Golden this season.
Tired and true approach: Flipping holes in the grass beds, texas rigs on the weed edge and wacky worms in the shallow flat areas. Nothing stuck out as far as the pattern. Caught some fish tight to cover, caught some others chasing bait away from the bank. A couple of the larger bass spit up some juvenile panfish on the way in.
Water was in the high 60's.
Moved over to Silver just before 10am as the bite had dropped off a little on Golden. Just like yesterday, started picking up the Silver Lake special LM size class right away.
Despite the east wind, fish were very active, and a bit deeper today. 6-8 FOW was the best action. We caught some deeper and some shallower, but the fast action was in that range.
Caught 37 (4 were 14+) between 10a and about 1pm. Hit one school and caught fish on 7 consecutive casts. Action was fast and furious at times. Had six double headers.
Empty panfish nests all over the shallow water.
Cheers,
CT
Ended up with 52 fish...including a crappie, a couple of Rockbass and 49 LM 9-18."
Fish were in the usual spots...drops/edges of the flats and the deeper weeds. Water was 67 when I pulled the boat.
Then out this morning on Golden for an early run, fished 5:30-9:30.
Fairly typical morning. Caught 16 LM all 12-16inches, plus a couple of small pike (around 22inches).
Lost a really big bass right by the boat...ran straight at me and I just never got a good hookset. One of the bigger fish I have seen on Golden this season.
Tired and true approach: Flipping holes in the grass beds, texas rigs on the weed edge and wacky worms in the shallow flat areas. Nothing stuck out as far as the pattern. Caught some fish tight to cover, caught some others chasing bait away from the bank. A couple of the larger bass spit up some juvenile panfish on the way in.
Water was in the high 60's.
Moved over to Silver just before 10am as the bite had dropped off a little on Golden. Just like yesterday, started picking up the Silver Lake special LM size class right away.
Despite the east wind, fish were very active, and a bit deeper today. 6-8 FOW was the best action. We caught some deeper and some shallower, but the fast action was in that range.
Caught 37 (4 were 14+) between 10a and about 1pm. Hit one school and caught fish on 7 consecutive casts. Action was fast and furious at times. Had six double headers.
Empty panfish nests all over the shallow water.
Cheers,
CT
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Fishing Report 5-31-12
First off: It's the annual free fishing weekend this weekend. You don't need a license to fish this weekend.
Second: Okauchee has at least one tournament this weekend. A WABTA bass tournament on Sunday, but posts on Lake-Link suggest there's also a tournament on Saturday.
Onto business:
As you might imagine, the drastically cooler weather has reduced fishing activity greatly. I assemble my weekly report from my own on the water experience, but also from a network of people who I maintain contact with about local conditions. Since the major cool-off this week, I've had less than half of my usual talks with people. So take what I have with a little grain of salt.
Panfish, especially bluegills were getting ready to spawn on many local lakes. Some fish were starting to make nests in the shallow sand, but I'd expect that activity to slow down substantially. Look for active fish along the inside edges of weedlines at the end of points, a key staging area for panfish before the spawn. Crappies have been hit or miss locally all season, but with the low overnight temps and dropping water temperature....I'd expect the bite to drop off even more. Some crappies can be caught off deeper fish attractors/brushpiles...but fishing vertically, tightlining tail hooked crappies minnows is probably your best approach. I heard some decent crappies were coming from Ashippun and Pine...but reports about panfish have been limited this last week.
Largemouth bass are more or less done with their spawning activity. Lots of fish are still schooled up and chasing bait on the shallow to mid depth weed flats with scattered cover. Baitfish remains the key factor on fish location by every report I have gotten. The cooler weather will slow bass activity, but if you can find some fish...presentations made slow and very tight to cover (like flipping or texas rigs for example) will still catch fish. If the wind is laying down, one of my better tricks for these conditions is to twitch a size 11 floating rapala minnow, pop-r or pop-x around shallow structure/cover. This is also prime time for live bait presentations, especially larger shiners or small suckers on a slip sinker rig.
Smallmouth were finishing up the spawning ritual. Could be a tough bite until conditions stabilize a little, but when the bite is tough sometimes your best approach for brown bass is to get unconventional. I'd throw spinnerbaits and crankbaits for smallmouth, especially around the deep edges of transition areas. Crawfish pattern crankbaits bounced through the sand and rocks in 8-15 FOW might just be the ticket to stick a big fish this weekend.
Northern Pike are less effected by the weather than most other gamefish species. If the bite is tough, throw spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or lipless crankbaits around shallow patches of weeds for some action. Bigger fish can be taken on slip sinker rigs tipped with larger bait.
Musky/Walleye: I wish I had more to report. I haven't heard anything this week from my usual sources, and I've been chasing largemouth when out.
Around the area: Whitebass are still biting below the Jefferson Dam, but the bite is starting to slow down. Trout are still coming, although in limited numbers, from the stocked lakes and ponds.
Good Luck...stay warm and dry...better weather will mean better fishing.
Second: Okauchee has at least one tournament this weekend. A WABTA bass tournament on Sunday, but posts on Lake-Link suggest there's also a tournament on Saturday.
Onto business:
As you might imagine, the drastically cooler weather has reduced fishing activity greatly. I assemble my weekly report from my own on the water experience, but also from a network of people who I maintain contact with about local conditions. Since the major cool-off this week, I've had less than half of my usual talks with people. So take what I have with a little grain of salt.
Panfish, especially bluegills were getting ready to spawn on many local lakes. Some fish were starting to make nests in the shallow sand, but I'd expect that activity to slow down substantially. Look for active fish along the inside edges of weedlines at the end of points, a key staging area for panfish before the spawn. Crappies have been hit or miss locally all season, but with the low overnight temps and dropping water temperature....I'd expect the bite to drop off even more. Some crappies can be caught off deeper fish attractors/brushpiles...but fishing vertically, tightlining tail hooked crappies minnows is probably your best approach. I heard some decent crappies were coming from Ashippun and Pine...but reports about panfish have been limited this last week.
Largemouth bass are more or less done with their spawning activity. Lots of fish are still schooled up and chasing bait on the shallow to mid depth weed flats with scattered cover. Baitfish remains the key factor on fish location by every report I have gotten. The cooler weather will slow bass activity, but if you can find some fish...presentations made slow and very tight to cover (like flipping or texas rigs for example) will still catch fish. If the wind is laying down, one of my better tricks for these conditions is to twitch a size 11 floating rapala minnow, pop-r or pop-x around shallow structure/cover. This is also prime time for live bait presentations, especially larger shiners or small suckers on a slip sinker rig.
Smallmouth were finishing up the spawning ritual. Could be a tough bite until conditions stabilize a little, but when the bite is tough sometimes your best approach for brown bass is to get unconventional. I'd throw spinnerbaits and crankbaits for smallmouth, especially around the deep edges of transition areas. Crawfish pattern crankbaits bounced through the sand and rocks in 8-15 FOW might just be the ticket to stick a big fish this weekend.
Northern Pike are less effected by the weather than most other gamefish species. If the bite is tough, throw spinnerbaits, buzzbaits or lipless crankbaits around shallow patches of weeds for some action. Bigger fish can be taken on slip sinker rigs tipped with larger bait.
Musky/Walleye: I wish I had more to report. I haven't heard anything this week from my usual sources, and I've been chasing largemouth when out.
Around the area: Whitebass are still biting below the Jefferson Dam, but the bite is starting to slow down. Trout are still coming, although in limited numbers, from the stocked lakes and ponds.
Good Luck...stay warm and dry...better weather will mean better fishing.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Fishin' Spots....Lake Country Reporter
Not sure I buy everything in this article, but at least it is a decent reference point for the upcoming Free Fishing Weekend.
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
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
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
Friday, May 25, 2012
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
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
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, May 19, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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.
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.
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