Hey gang,
River runs are still in full gear, although the fishing can vary day to day depending on conditions. Early reports on whitebass are starting to trickle in.
Many local lakes are open. There's still some floating ice about, but you can start to target panfish along North facing shorelines, in protected areas with dark bottoms, boat channels, or areas with current.
Keep your presentation subtle, and if the bite is tough, downsize. You'll catch as many crappies with waxworms or spikes on a small red hook (#10 or #12) as minnows some days.
On warm afternoons, look for fish around reeds or laydowns, They'll be spooky, but catchable.
Talk to you soon.
CT
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
River Runs are....running
Lots of people were out this weekend, and it sounds like things are really happening on the rivers.
Rock River: Fish were being caught from the mouth at Blackhawk up to the dam at Jefferson. Sounds like there were some solid bags of keepers in the batch this weekend. Expect it to stay good as fish move in and head up to spawn.
Controlled drifts with jigs or 3 way rigs are always solid approaches on the Rock for the spring. You really want to concentrate on hard bottom spots, or areas where the main channel turns or changes direction. Deeper isn't always better (fish can be out of the channel) but a transition forms a pocket where fish will stack up.
My favorite stretches are in the S-Turn ditch, just down stream of the Jefferson Dam Launch,by the Star Pole and just downstream of the Fort Bridges, but there's no limit on areas that will hold fish. Just remember the water is still cold, and often a bite doesn't feel like much of anything other than just a little additional weight.
Good Luck.
CT
Rock River: Fish were being caught from the mouth at Blackhawk up to the dam at Jefferson. Sounds like there were some solid bags of keepers in the batch this weekend. Expect it to stay good as fish move in and head up to spawn.
Controlled drifts with jigs or 3 way rigs are always solid approaches on the Rock for the spring. You really want to concentrate on hard bottom spots, or areas where the main channel turns or changes direction. Deeper isn't always better (fish can be out of the channel) but a transition forms a pocket where fish will stack up.
My favorite stretches are in the S-Turn ditch, just down stream of the Jefferson Dam Launch,by the Star Pole and just downstream of the Fort Bridges, but there's no limit on areas that will hold fish. Just remember the water is still cold, and often a bite doesn't feel like much of anything other than just a little additional weight.
Good Luck.
CT
Friday, March 2, 2018
Lunkers Garage Sale
Always a great event...the Lunker's Garage Sale is just around the corner. I won't be able to attend this year, but don't let that stop you.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Back in action: 2018 Season
Everybody,
Time to get back at it. Fish are starting to be caught in the Dells and a few people checked in asking about the Rock River in Jefferson and Ft Atkinson.
In terms of the Rock River--Lake Link posts have the river open downstream of the dam, but still with some large ice flows. It won't be long now until things start to happen. Stable weather will really get things going
Water levels:
Fort can be tracked here.
Jefferson's graph is here.
Current and flow graphs are here.
Talk to you soon.
Cheers,
CT
PS An old Journal Sentinel piece on Spring Walleye Fishing on The Rock is Here.
Time to get back at it. Fish are starting to be caught in the Dells and a few people checked in asking about the Rock River in Jefferson and Ft Atkinson.
In terms of the Rock River--Lake Link posts have the river open downstream of the dam, but still with some large ice flows. It won't be long now until things start to happen. Stable weather will really get things going
Water levels:
Fort can be tracked here.
Jefferson's graph is here.
Current and flow graphs are here.
Talk to you soon.
Cheers,
CT
PS An old Journal Sentinel piece on Spring Walleye Fishing on The Rock is Here.
Friday, January 19, 2018
Free Fishing Weekend
This weekend (Jan 20-21st) is the annual winter DNR Free Fishing Weekend:
Information here: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglereducation/freefishingweekend.html
Lunker's Fisheree and Meat Raffle is this weekend as well (a great event): Flyer is available here
There's also events for kids in the local area including this one in Dousman on School Section Lake: https://www.facebook.com/events/211951262682243/?active_tab=about
Enjoy the weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Information here: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing/anglereducation/freefishingweekend.html
Lunker's Fisheree and Meat Raffle is this weekend as well (a great event): Flyer is available here
There's also events for kids in the local area including this one in Dousman on School Section Lake: https://www.facebook.com/events/211951262682243/?active_tab=about
Enjoy the weekend.
Cheers,
CT
Wednesday, January 10, 2018
MCW Meeting Tonight!
Sorry for the short notice but: Musky Club of Wisconsin has a meeting tonight:
A reminder that the next MCW club meeting is tomorrow, January 10 at 7:30 PM, at Thunder Bay Grille. This is the annual business meeting. We will discuss the financials, have our club election and go over the events for 2018. If you have club questions, changes or something for the club to discuss, this is the meeting to attend.
We will need members to sign up for the two upcoming muskie expos.
Also, bring your renewal for club dues. Form can be found on the club website - http://www.muskiewi.org/membership_application.pdf
MCW is making some greats efforts on stocking in our local lakes.
MCW is making some greats efforts on stocking in our local lakes.
Sunday, January 7, 2018
Happy New Year
Lunkers Unlimited is holding it's 42nd Annual Fishoree and MEAT Raffles
Saturday January 20th at Curly's Waterfront bar on Pewaukee Lake.
Check in at 7:00 AM. No entrance fee! Cash prizes for all species.
Meat raffles start at 10:00 AM also Enter to win a ice shanty and our exclusive MEAT freezer.
Check out our web site for more info.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Back to school..
Sorry gang, the beginning of the semester was a huge free time killer...
Cheers,
CT
Cheers,
CT
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Fishing Report 9-8-17
Well gang, it very quickly became Fall this past week. And as things go...so far, so good and while there's football and a bunch of hunting on the radar, remember some of the best fishing of the year awaits between now and the end of the season.
The cooler nights during the last week or so have started the annual water temperature drop. While daytime temps can be all over the place over the next six weeks, the overnight temps are really what matters moving forward. Warm, sunny days will pull fish onto the rocks, especially in the mid to late afternoons. The late algae blooms we had this season are clearing up quick as a result, and the baitfish numbers, which seemed to go up and down this year, are really starting to thin out as fish turn on for fall.
Bass fishing will remain really good for a couple weeks, then it will be time to put away the plastics and start fishing live bait for a trophy. Smallmouth typically go on a tear on our area lakes in the fall, and we're getting real close to that kickoff. For now... expect the fish to make a couple foraging runs a day, but if you're having trouble connecting with active fish, look for the in the deep water, adjacent to the shallow structure. Plastics, cranks and jigs will work, but as the days get shorter, live bait becomes a better option, especially for bigger fish. It is time to start using the biggest shiners you can find, or small suckers or chubs if you have to.
Walleye fishing is hasn't really started pick up on the area rivers. I'd expect that to change real soon. On the area lakes, the fish will be anywhere there's baitfish around weeds or rock/weed transition areas in 5-8 or 10-12 feet of water. Fishing cranks and stickbaits around weeds works well for active fish, and if you get one out of a patch of isolated weeds, fish through the area very methodically. Fishing just before the sun comes up or right after it goes down can be a solid bet, especially along shallow gravel/rock/sand transitions with some current on them.
Pike have been active in 10-22 feet of water along weed edges, points or sand/gravel transition areas. Spinners are always a solid option for pike, but as the water cools I usually switch back to crankbaits, especially wide wobbling deep divers in natural or red/white patterns. Jerkbaits can really shine right now, especially suspenders worked around weed clumps where there are visible baitfish hovering.
Musky fishing has started to pick up, but is sure to get really good over the next stretch. Enjoy the tree stand and/or your goose blind now, for soon will be the time to start working for this years trophy. Gliders, bucktails and jerkbaits are all solid options for casting, and remember to keep a sucker out on a quick strike rig for lazy followers. Right now, look for the them to be using weeds in 12-15 feet of water or rocks in 8-12 feet of water. As the water cools, they'll follow the ciscos in, and that's when things start to get really interesting.
Good Luck,
CT
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Last Minute Availability
Hey gang,
I have a last minute opening for a trip on Sunday, September 10th.
Email me if you're interested.
I have a last minute opening for a trip on Sunday, September 10th.
Email me if you're interested.
Saturday, September 2, 2017
Labor Day Weekend Fishing Update 2017
Patterning fish remains inconsistent from day to day. Once you're on a solid bite, stick with it.
Conditions around the area are typical for the end of August. After this batch of cooler weather, weed growth is at summer peak and water temps are hovering around 70 degrees.
Panfish have really slowed down over the last ten days. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce, but you may have to put in a little time to find the keeping size fish. Evenings, especially both sides of dusk, have been better, as is typical for this time of year. If you're out with the kids and just need to catch some for "action" purposes, visually look for schools around the docks and fish for them with bobbers and small live bait.
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out on the weed edges. Topwater bite has been steady, especially in the morning. There's a batch of fish using weed clumps in mid-depth (6-12 FOW) water that will bite all day, but you have to fish very tight to cover, and very, very slow.
Smallmouth fishing has been spotty like it has been most of the season. You'll need to be ready to make some changes on the fly to stay on an active bite. Look for them around the edges of the rock bars or sand/rock transition areas early, but by mid-morning the fish will be deeper than you think they should be. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits, tubes (watermelon especially) and small crankbaits can be dynamite.
Walleye fishing: Some fish are coming out of 18-25 FOW, but finding some fish in the shallow weeds early and late in the day is your best bet. I'd jig tight to weed edges with the biggest leaches you can find, or lindy rig with small suckers. If you're out close to dark, you may be able to trigger some fish casting minnowbaits like rapalas, rouges or thundersticks over weed clumps.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. There has been a little action early in the day on buzzbaits fished over shallow flats, and throwing reapers at deeper patches of weeds in the evenings (very common late summer patterns)...but the catch rates I'm seeing and hearing have not impressed me.
Musky: Still Early. Most anglers are reporting some lazy follows and undersized fish for the most part. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced in the past week, but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. Unless this is your last weekend to get out, I wouldn't bother.
Good Luck, Be Safe and Enjoy the Holiday.
Cheers,
CT
Conditions around the area are typical for the end of August. After this batch of cooler weather, weed growth is at summer peak and water temps are hovering around 70 degrees.
Panfish have really slowed down over the last ten days. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce, but you may have to put in a little time to find the keeping size fish. Evenings, especially both sides of dusk, have been better, as is typical for this time of year. If you're out with the kids and just need to catch some for "action" purposes, visually look for schools around the docks and fish for them with bobbers and small live bait.
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. On sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out on the weed edges. Topwater bite has been steady, especially in the morning. There's a batch of fish using weed clumps in mid-depth (6-12 FOW) water that will bite all day, but you have to fish very tight to cover, and very, very slow.
Smallmouth fishing has been spotty like it has been most of the season. You'll need to be ready to make some changes on the fly to stay on an active bite. Look for them around the edges of the rock bars or sand/rock transition areas early, but by mid-morning the fish will be deeper than you think they should be. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits, tubes (watermelon especially) and small crankbaits can be dynamite.
Walleye fishing: Some fish are coming out of 18-25 FOW, but finding some fish in the shallow weeds early and late in the day is your best bet. I'd jig tight to weed edges with the biggest leaches you can find, or lindy rig with small suckers. If you're out close to dark, you may be able to trigger some fish casting minnowbaits like rapalas, rouges or thundersticks over weed clumps.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. There has been a little action early in the day on buzzbaits fished over shallow flats, and throwing reapers at deeper patches of weeds in the evenings (very common late summer patterns)...but the catch rates I'm seeing and hearing have not impressed me.
Musky: Still Early. Most anglers are reporting some lazy follows and undersized fish for the most part. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced in the past week, but most of the fish are mid-30's to low 40 inch fish. Unless this is your last weekend to get out, I wouldn't bother.
Good Luck, Be Safe and Enjoy the Holiday.
Cheers,
CT
Saturday, August 26, 2017
JS Online Article (Lac Labelle on the Day of the Eclipse)
Check out the Journal Sentinel Outdoors Page to read up on my short outing with Paul Smith on Lac Labelle this week.
Friday, August 25, 2017
Fishing Report 8-24-17
Greetings,
I still have some openings late next week and around the holiday.
Water levels vary from system to system, but weed growth is still very heavy. Water temps are in the low to mid 70's. There's still some solid pods of baitfish out there, and that of course is the key to finding active fish.
Panfish have been up and down over the last two weeks. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water, as well as in mid-depth weeds, but keepers have been hard to come by unless you're working deeper fish. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce. Late afternoon and early evenings have been more consistent, as is typical for this time of year.
Note: I had the kids out yesterday for a bit and we had some nice keepers, but they were suspended off the weed edge. To get the quality fish, you had to get your bait down below the smaller fish at the top of the school.
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. Fish are feeding in short spurts throughout the day. On the hot sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep in 12-15 FOW. On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. Topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning, then fish will be moving around the rockbars, sand/weed transitions or on the shallow flats. Current areas (especially areas of strong current) are holding some aggressive smallmouth on many lakes right now, but overall smallmouth fishing has been spotty. The fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite, but don't skip the tubes and lipless crankbaits.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water. Nag has been giving up some quality keepers, but there's active fish on every area lake right now.
Walleye fishing has been good, but you might have to get a little tactical and slow WAAAAAAAAAAY down to get bites. People still fishing at night are reporting some success off the deeper sand flat areas, but a few decent fish are being caught out of the shallow weeds very early in the morning using rapalas or similar minnow baits, then using lighter slip sinker/lindy rigs with leeches or shiners. Some fish have been very very shallow during low light periods this week. (Caught one Monday in 18" (yes, inches) of water).
Musky are getting more active, but anglers are still reporting lots of lazy follows. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced limited action in the past week, but most of the fish are low to mid-30's inch fish. Topwater is working just before the sun gets up and just after it goes down. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably.
Good Luck,
CT
I still have some openings late next week and around the holiday.
Water levels vary from system to system, but weed growth is still very heavy. Water temps are in the low to mid 70's. There's still some solid pods of baitfish out there, and that of course is the key to finding active fish.
Panfish have been up and down over the last two weeks. Crappie and bluegill continue to bite along weedlines or suspended out over deep water, as well as in mid-depth weeds, but keepers have been hard to come by unless you're working deeper fish. Plastics tipped with live bait, tail hooked minnows and leafworms fished vertically or with slip bobbers will produce. Late afternoon and early evenings have been more consistent, as is typical for this time of year.
Note: I had the kids out yesterday for a bit and we had some nice keepers, but they were suspended off the weed edge. To get the quality fish, you had to get your bait down below the smaller fish at the top of the school.
Largemouth continue to run late summer patterns. Fish are feeding in short spurts throughout the day. On the hot sunny days, look for them around docks or slop, or out deep in 12-15 FOW. On the cooler cloudy days, look for active fish in sand/rock or rock/weed transitions in 4-8 feet. Topwater bite will be good, especially early in the morning, then fish will be moving around the rockbars, sand/weed transitions or on the shallow flats. Current areas (especially areas of strong current) are holding some aggressive smallmouth on many lakes right now, but overall smallmouth fishing has been spotty. The fish will be deeper than you think they should be in most cases. Jigworms, grubs, minnowbaits and small white crankbaits can be dynamite, but don't skip the tubes and lipless crankbaits.
Pike fishing has been slow, but steady. Lots of undersized fish are being caught in the shallow and mid-depth areas. I'd consider moving out deeper and using live bait on a slip sinker rig, trying to connect with active fish in 18-22 or 22-25 feet of water. Nag has been giving up some quality keepers, but there's active fish on every area lake right now.
Walleye fishing has been good, but you might have to get a little tactical and slow WAAAAAAAAAAY down to get bites. People still fishing at night are reporting some success off the deeper sand flat areas, but a few decent fish are being caught out of the shallow weeds very early in the morning using rapalas or similar minnow baits, then using lighter slip sinker/lindy rigs with leeches or shiners. Some fish have been very very shallow during low light periods this week. (Caught one Monday in 18" (yes, inches) of water).
Musky are getting more active, but anglers are still reporting lots of lazy follows. Gliders, bulldogs and cow-girls have all produced limited action in the past week, but most of the fish are low to mid-30's inch fish. Topwater is working just before the sun gets up and just after it goes down. As the water begins to cool, the action will pick up considerably.
Good Luck,
CT
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Labor Day Weekend Guide Trips
Hey gang,
Just a quickie. I have some openings around the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. I didn't book anything ahead of time because I wasn't sure what my schedule would be up in Minnesota, but it turns out I will be in town and available.
If you want to get out, this would be a great opportunity. Call me 262-893-2183 or email me for details.
Just a quickie. I have some openings around the Labor Day Holiday Weekend. I didn't book anything ahead of time because I wasn't sure what my schedule would be up in Minnesota, but it turns out I will be in town and available.
If you want to get out, this would be a great opportunity. Call me 262-893-2183 or email me for details.
Friday, August 18, 2017
Fishing Report 8-18-2017
Hey gang,
Fishing has slowed a bit over the couple of days. Fish are still biting, but the bite has been slow, and often tough to trigger. Monday was gangbusters, Tuesday and Wednesday were a slower. Weeds are at summer peak, and water temps are in the low 70's.
Panfish are suspending in deeper water, or holding tight to the bottom in areas where the weedline in adjacent to a steep drop off. There's also a solid batch of keepers in areas with lots of current. Tightlining vertically, slip bobbers or light lindy rigs are your best options for chasing keepers out deep, small jigs with plastics or skirts are better for the current orientated fish.
The bass bite dropped off substantially this week after the weather went through. Fish are still biting, but the catch rate and size of the fish being caught is down a bunch from just last week, but expect action to pick up as conditions stabilize some. Largemouth are making a slow move into transition areas, but it has been hard to pattern fish day to day. Docks and slop are holding fish during the sunny days, and fish are chasing bait throughout the day on the mid-depth (6-10 FOW) flats. Mornings were so-so, but afternoons were where it was at for active fish. Topwater, minnowbaits, grubs, flappers and jigworms are catching these schooling fish. Flipping into holes on the outside edge of the weedlines or on inside turns has been slow, but productive for the better fish.
Smallmouth have been more active, starting to wolfpack mid depth transition areas. Drop shotting edges, humps and current breaks, wacky, small cranks and soft jerkbaits are all catching fish, but crankbait along the edges of mainlake points has produced some better fish this past week.
Walleye bite has been hit or miss. The fish are tight to weed edges or in the deeper sandgrass. Lots of guys are reporting some short bites, and I certainly saw this when I was on the water this week. I didn't do any night fishing this week, but I'd guess the fish have been active after dark. Slow death and back trolling lindy rigs with live bait had been producing, but like most of the fishing during the last week, some days have been far better than others.
Pike fishing has been steady for action, but inconsistent day to day. The fish are doing what they should be doing (chasing baitfish in open water along the weedlines) but connecting with them has been difficult to do. Live bait rigs are still catching fish in the 12-18 FOW range, and buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and lipless cranks are still moving fish out of isolated clumps of weeds in flat areas.
Musky fishing has been slow with very few reports of legal (40+inch fish) coming in. Undersize fish are chasing bait mid-morning and just before sunset The topwater bite dropped off, but I'm hearing about lots of follows on gliders and smaller jerkbaits.
Good Luck,
CT
Fishing has slowed a bit over the couple of days. Fish are still biting, but the bite has been slow, and often tough to trigger. Monday was gangbusters, Tuesday and Wednesday were a slower. Weeds are at summer peak, and water temps are in the low 70's.
Panfish are suspending in deeper water, or holding tight to the bottom in areas where the weedline in adjacent to a steep drop off. There's also a solid batch of keepers in areas with lots of current. Tightlining vertically, slip bobbers or light lindy rigs are your best options for chasing keepers out deep, small jigs with plastics or skirts are better for the current orientated fish.
The bass bite dropped off substantially this week after the weather went through. Fish are still biting, but the catch rate and size of the fish being caught is down a bunch from just last week, but expect action to pick up as conditions stabilize some. Largemouth are making a slow move into transition areas, but it has been hard to pattern fish day to day. Docks and slop are holding fish during the sunny days, and fish are chasing bait throughout the day on the mid-depth (6-10 FOW) flats. Mornings were so-so, but afternoons were where it was at for active fish. Topwater, minnowbaits, grubs, flappers and jigworms are catching these schooling fish. Flipping into holes on the outside edge of the weedlines or on inside turns has been slow, but productive for the better fish.
Smallmouth have been more active, starting to wolfpack mid depth transition areas. Drop shotting edges, humps and current breaks, wacky, small cranks and soft jerkbaits are all catching fish, but crankbait along the edges of mainlake points has produced some better fish this past week.
Walleye bite has been hit or miss. The fish are tight to weed edges or in the deeper sandgrass. Lots of guys are reporting some short bites, and I certainly saw this when I was on the water this week. I didn't do any night fishing this week, but I'd guess the fish have been active after dark. Slow death and back trolling lindy rigs with live bait had been producing, but like most of the fishing during the last week, some days have been far better than others.
Pike fishing has been steady for action, but inconsistent day to day. The fish are doing what they should be doing (chasing baitfish in open water along the weedlines) but connecting with them has been difficult to do. Live bait rigs are still catching fish in the 12-18 FOW range, and buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and lipless cranks are still moving fish out of isolated clumps of weeds in flat areas.
Musky fishing has been slow with very few reports of legal (40+inch fish) coming in. Undersize fish are chasing bait mid-morning and just before sunset The topwater bite dropped off, but I'm hearing about lots of follows on gliders and smaller jerkbaits.
Good Luck,
CT
Friday, August 11, 2017
Fishing Report 8-11-17
Hey gang,
I had limited on the water time this week I was only out 3.5 days this week.
Conditions are about what you would expect for mid-august. Weed growth is heavy, there's still schools of baitfish roaming around and the crayfish molt is wrapping up.
Out this morning, I fully expected to start pounding some fish up on the rocks, but after a quick start, the bite wasn't steady enough to work, switched gears and worked some fish in open flats and pulled out a solid day. The weather ahead of the front yesterday was stable, and I'm sure the feedbag was on, Activity level was a little light, but getting a presentation around cover with bait nearby paid the bills today, but basically I think the cold front and unstable weather has the fish in a bit of a funk right now. You can still catch/pattern fish, but you're going to have to slow down, get precise with your presentations, and recognize that it is the middle of August. There's lots of slop out there right now, and punching it rather than pounding it with a frog might make a difference. (It did today...)
Panfish are still schooled up in deeper water. Crappies are tight to the weedlines in 12-15 and 18-20 FOW, but are suspending off the edge. Bluegills are still in tight schools in the deep part of the basins. Look for them 18-22 feet down over 30-50 FOW. If you're out with the kids, and just want action-- docks and swim platforms in or near current areas are holding tons of potato chip sized fish right now.
Bass fishing is about average for mid-August, especially on the down size of the full moon. Slow and steady wins the race.Fishing tight to cover, punching slop or skipping tight to docks/pontoons will produce if you're having trouble finding fish out deep. Expect the fish to have small strike zones...and be ready to make multiple casts to targets. The morning top-water bite has been good, but only until about 8:30, but the shallow flats with scattered weeds are holding fish throughout the day..so shallow running-wide wobbling and lipless crankbaits can turn a zero into hero time.
I don't have any new news on walleyes this week. I haven't been fishing for them this past week. I'd assume the fish have been biting at night with the full moon cycle, and that if you're out very early or late in the day, that weed edges and sand flats with sandgrass 8-12 FOW or 18-25 FOW will hold some fish. As we get on towards fall, look for walleyes on shallow areas along deep water/mainlake points. Jigging and rigging with live bait works the best on our local lakes, but if you're out at night....don't forget the number 11 floating rapalas in natural/ silver-black patterns. Fish that over weed patches, trying to make slight contact with the weeds.
Pike bite has been slow and steady all season. Spinners, cranks and buzzbaits will take fish, as will wide wobbling crankbaits. Small pike are still on the shallow weed flats...bigger pike are in 15-22FOW on the weed edge. Chase these fish with a small sucker or big shiner on a slip sinker rig.
Musky fishing was off and on this week. Some people are trolling the deeper basin areas looking for fish relating to ciscos, but it seems like the people catching fish are hitting shallow pockets (6-10 FOW) with topwaters or weed edges in 12-15 FOW with large spinners or gliders. Lots of chatter about smaller (sub 30" fish) being caught or lazy follows from larger fish. (Also reflected in my own on the water time this week.
I'll be out a bunch over the next two weeks, before I head back to professor land. See you on the water.
Cheers,
CT
PS....Thanks for reading this blog.
I had limited on the water time this week I was only out 3.5 days this week.
Conditions are about what you would expect for mid-august. Weed growth is heavy, there's still schools of baitfish roaming around and the crayfish molt is wrapping up.
Out this morning, I fully expected to start pounding some fish up on the rocks, but after a quick start, the bite wasn't steady enough to work, switched gears and worked some fish in open flats and pulled out a solid day. The weather ahead of the front yesterday was stable, and I'm sure the feedbag was on, Activity level was a little light, but getting a presentation around cover with bait nearby paid the bills today, but basically I think the cold front and unstable weather has the fish in a bit of a funk right now. You can still catch/pattern fish, but you're going to have to slow down, get precise with your presentations, and recognize that it is the middle of August. There's lots of slop out there right now, and punching it rather than pounding it with a frog might make a difference. (It did today...)
Panfish are still schooled up in deeper water. Crappies are tight to the weedlines in 12-15 and 18-20 FOW, but are suspending off the edge. Bluegills are still in tight schools in the deep part of the basins. Look for them 18-22 feet down over 30-50 FOW. If you're out with the kids, and just want action-- docks and swim platforms in or near current areas are holding tons of potato chip sized fish right now.
Bass fishing is about average for mid-August, especially on the down size of the full moon. Slow and steady wins the race.Fishing tight to cover, punching slop or skipping tight to docks/pontoons will produce if you're having trouble finding fish out deep. Expect the fish to have small strike zones...and be ready to make multiple casts to targets. The morning top-water bite has been good, but only until about 8:30, but the shallow flats with scattered weeds are holding fish throughout the day..so shallow running-wide wobbling and lipless crankbaits can turn a zero into hero time.
I don't have any new news on walleyes this week. I haven't been fishing for them this past week. I'd assume the fish have been biting at night with the full moon cycle, and that if you're out very early or late in the day, that weed edges and sand flats with sandgrass 8-12 FOW or 18-25 FOW will hold some fish. As we get on towards fall, look for walleyes on shallow areas along deep water/mainlake points. Jigging and rigging with live bait works the best on our local lakes, but if you're out at night....don't forget the number 11 floating rapalas in natural/ silver-black patterns. Fish that over weed patches, trying to make slight contact with the weeds.
Pike bite has been slow and steady all season. Spinners, cranks and buzzbaits will take fish, as will wide wobbling crankbaits. Small pike are still on the shallow weed flats...bigger pike are in 15-22FOW on the weed edge. Chase these fish with a small sucker or big shiner on a slip sinker rig.
Musky fishing was off and on this week. Some people are trolling the deeper basin areas looking for fish relating to ciscos, but it seems like the people catching fish are hitting shallow pockets (6-10 FOW) with topwaters or weed edges in 12-15 FOW with large spinners or gliders. Lots of chatter about smaller (sub 30" fish) being caught or lazy follows from larger fish. (Also reflected in my own on the water time this week.
I'll be out a bunch over the next two weeks, before I head back to professor land. See you on the water.
Cheers,
CT
PS....Thanks for reading this blog.
Friday, August 4, 2017
Fishing Report 8-4-17
Around the area, the heat pulled water temps into the high 70's to mid 80's. Thermoclines are certainly part of the equation if you're trolling in the main basins of the larger lakes. The rain clouded up the water, but with the usual exceptions (Moose, Lac Labelle) the lakes and creeks are high, but not flooded out. The changing weather patterns complicated fishing some this week. Fish were still biting, but activity levels and strike zone size were great pre-front, but afterword, the bite was more limited. Afternoons and evenings have been better than early in the day. As we move into August look for fish in the usual summer places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they feed actively. The changes in the photo-cycle and the length of day start to affect the fish, and you can expect to see activity levels peak and ebb during each day.
Bluegills are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for crappie to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend 12-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Tightling was solid this week, but I heard of some folks finding some solid batches of keepers with slip bobbers with plastics tipped with live bait.
Largemouth On sunny days, the fish are piled up on shallow docks. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell and they'll be feeding on rocks or weed/rock transitions close to docks. Be ready to switch tactics as they switch on and off, especially around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic. Deeper fish will continue to use weed- edges and points in 12-18 feet of water, or be suspended over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3-5 foraging moves each day. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, wacky, skirted grubs, drop shot rigs or even twister tails as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Crankbaits in white or chartreuse, spinners or live bait are better for the deeper fish. Tip: Slow and steady won the race this week, even ahead of the weather change.
Walleyes will continue to hold in their summer patterns for another couple of weeks, but they will quickly make a move to shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their fall spawning run. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in 8-12 or 22-25 feet of water is a good place to start, and be ready to adjust to deeper water on sunny days or shallower on cloudy or windy days. A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish.
Northern pike activity has been on the slower side all summer, Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky reports have been spotty over the past couple of weeks, but topwater early and late, or trolling deep has turned a few (stress on the few) fish the last 10 days. For the next run, look for them to over weedy flats in 8-12 feet of water , or in deeper water suspended around baitfish which is perfect for a trolling bite.
Good Luck and Cheers.
CT
Bluegills are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for crappie to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend 12-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Tightling was solid this week, but I heard of some folks finding some solid batches of keepers with slip bobbers with plastics tipped with live bait.
Largemouth On sunny days, the fish are piled up on shallow docks. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell and they'll be feeding on rocks or weed/rock transitions close to docks. Be ready to switch tactics as they switch on and off, especially around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic. Deeper fish will continue to use weed- edges and points in 12-18 feet of water, or be suspended over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3-5 foraging moves each day. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to tubes, wacky, skirted grubs, drop shot rigs or even twister tails as the day progresses. When things are slower, look for them to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Crankbaits in white or chartreuse, spinners or live bait are better for the deeper fish. Tip: Slow and steady won the race this week, even ahead of the weather change.
Walleyes will continue to hold in their summer patterns for another couple of weeks, but they will quickly make a move to shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their fall spawning run. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in 8-12 or 22-25 feet of water is a good place to start, and be ready to adjust to deeper water on sunny days or shallower on cloudy or windy days. A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish.
Northern pike activity has been on the slower side all summer, Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky reports have been spotty over the past couple of weeks, but topwater early and late, or trolling deep has turned a few (stress on the few) fish the last 10 days. For the next run, look for them to over weedy flats in 8-12 feet of water , or in deeper water suspended around baitfish which is perfect for a trolling bite.
Good Luck and Cheers.
CT
Friday, July 28, 2017
Fishing Report 7-28-17
Summer is flying by...
Water is in the mid 70's to low 80's on most area lakes, with heavy algae blooms, and there has been several baitfish hatches over the last week to ten days. It was a mixed bag of fishing for me this past week. Had a couple of slow days, had a couple (including this morning) which were pretty solid.
Overall, game fish are setting up shallow, but there's a solid batch on the first break or in areas where bait has stacked up. You may have to work the wind a bit, but your best bet is to look for baitfish (either with your naked eye or your electronics) and then set up on an area where you find them. I'm not saying you can't catch fish deep, but there is a solid batch of fish in 4-8FOW, especially where there's patchy or sparse weeds. Docks and slop really turned on with the bright sun as well.
One big note: The Okauchee Tie up is Saturday the 29th. (tomorrow as I write this).
Panfish: Crappies are suspending along outside weed edges, but with the baitfish hatches, they've been higher in the water column than the last couple weeks. Bluegills are still suspending in deeper water, but the unstable weather has pulled them tighter to the weed edge or the ends of points. 15-18 feet down over 25-40 feet of water is still holding schools, but weedy points with sharp drop offs adjacent to deeper water have been really productive. Remember to get your bait down, as the smaller fish in the schools will be towards the top. Slip bobbers, tight lining vertically or light lindy rigs thrown shallow and dragged off the edge of steep structure and allowed to sink have been producing. Just need some to reel in with the kids? Docks and swim platforms are your best bets, especially on the smaller lakes.
Largemouth Bass are catchable in a variety of traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish difficult from day to day. Docks, rockbars, slop, and scattered weeds on shallow to mid depth flats have all been producing at different points in the day, but after the sun gets up, the docks have been a solid pattern on the sunny days. The best fishing has been early in the morning...just before first light until about 8:15-8:30am. You'll need to move tighter to cover or shadows after the sun gets up. My tip, so much as it is a tip, is fish topwater early, then slow down and get methodical around 8:30am. I'm consistently catching fish with wacky, ned rigs, and grubs. I'm staying with watermelon seed or watermelon red for colors for the most part, but green pumpkin or smoke with some purple or red flake have also been pretty good. My skirted craw bite just isn't consistent yet, but the August molt is right around the corner.
Smallmouth are active, but the bite has been very inconsistent. Some days...wow. Some days...nothing. Hard to predict, but this is very common this time of year as deeper fish start to transition to shallow rocks for the crayfish molt which is imminent. Check back next week.
Walleyes are still biting. On Lac Labelle the bite during the day is steady, but only in the shallow weeds. Early and lake have been gangbusters all season. We've had a mild summer, and I don't think the fish really ever left the areas they use in the late spring.Weed edges in 7-10 FOW are holding lots of baitfish and the walleyes are there with the bait, but don't overlook the other batch of fish in the deeper sandgrass (where the perch like to hide this time of year.) Jigging, rigging or backtrolling with leeches, night crawlers, chubs or small suckers as produced. Heading Out: Labelle for action, Oconomowoc or Nag for keepers, North for trophies.
Pike Fish have moved to the weed edge, are suspending over 30-50' FOW or are roaming the shallow flats. Casting spinners, buzzbaits, lipless cranks, or wide bodies square bills will generate decent action, but the better fish are coming on small suckers on a slip-sinker rig.
Good Luck,
CT
Water is in the mid 70's to low 80's on most area lakes, with heavy algae blooms, and there has been several baitfish hatches over the last week to ten days. It was a mixed bag of fishing for me this past week. Had a couple of slow days, had a couple (including this morning) which were pretty solid.
Overall, game fish are setting up shallow, but there's a solid batch on the first break or in areas where bait has stacked up. You may have to work the wind a bit, but your best bet is to look for baitfish (either with your naked eye or your electronics) and then set up on an area where you find them. I'm not saying you can't catch fish deep, but there is a solid batch of fish in 4-8FOW, especially where there's patchy or sparse weeds. Docks and slop really turned on with the bright sun as well.
One big note: The Okauchee Tie up is Saturday the 29th. (tomorrow as I write this).
Panfish: Crappies are suspending along outside weed edges, but with the baitfish hatches, they've been higher in the water column than the last couple weeks. Bluegills are still suspending in deeper water, but the unstable weather has pulled them tighter to the weed edge or the ends of points. 15-18 feet down over 25-40 feet of water is still holding schools, but weedy points with sharp drop offs adjacent to deeper water have been really productive. Remember to get your bait down, as the smaller fish in the schools will be towards the top. Slip bobbers, tight lining vertically or light lindy rigs thrown shallow and dragged off the edge of steep structure and allowed to sink have been producing. Just need some to reel in with the kids? Docks and swim platforms are your best bets, especially on the smaller lakes.
Largemouth Bass are catchable in a variety of traditional summer patterns, but the weather is making patterning fish difficult from day to day. Docks, rockbars, slop, and scattered weeds on shallow to mid depth flats have all been producing at different points in the day, but after the sun gets up, the docks have been a solid pattern on the sunny days. The best fishing has been early in the morning...just before first light until about 8:15-8:30am. You'll need to move tighter to cover or shadows after the sun gets up. My tip, so much as it is a tip, is fish topwater early, then slow down and get methodical around 8:30am. I'm consistently catching fish with wacky, ned rigs, and grubs. I'm staying with watermelon seed or watermelon red for colors for the most part, but green pumpkin or smoke with some purple or red flake have also been pretty good. My skirted craw bite just isn't consistent yet, but the August molt is right around the corner.
Walleyes are still biting. On Lac Labelle the bite during the day is steady, but only in the shallow weeds. Early and lake have been gangbusters all season. We've had a mild summer, and I don't think the fish really ever left the areas they use in the late spring.Weed edges in 7-10 FOW are holding lots of baitfish and the walleyes are there with the bait, but don't overlook the other batch of fish in the deeper sandgrass (where the perch like to hide this time of year.) Jigging, rigging or backtrolling with leeches, night crawlers, chubs or small suckers as produced. Heading Out: Labelle for action, Oconomowoc or Nag for keepers, North for trophies.
Pike Fish have moved to the weed edge, are suspending over 30-50' FOW or are roaming the shallow flats. Casting spinners, buzzbaits, lipless cranks, or wide bodies square bills will generate decent action, but the better fish are coming on small suckers on a slip-sinker rig.
Good Luck,
CT
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Fishing Report 7-20-17
Hey gang,
High water, see our earlier post, and unstable weather continue to dominate local fishing conditions. You need to check the launches at each lake each day to understand whether or not the lake is under a slow no wake provision. In many places, like Moose lake, the prohibition is long term, but in others the restriction is day to day.
Water temps are in the mid to high 70's on most lakes, but a few of the darker bottom lakes can creep in the low to mid 80's. Lots of the lakes have some dirty water from the current and on/off again rains we've had.
All of that said, fishing is about average for late July. Notable is that with the higher water (and faster current in many areas) there's a large quantity of active fish in relatively shallow water this season. That's been the quirk this year, and I'm sure it has alot to do with the conditions we've had since late May. As we move towards August you can continue to look for fish in the obvious usual summer places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they feed actively. The changes in the photocycle become part of the fishing equation over the next month...and you can expect to see fish activity levels peak and ebb during each day.
Bluegills are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for them to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend over deeper sandgrass about 14-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Action fish for the kids can still be found around swim platforms and many docks. Live bait rigs are great options as are small plastics tipped with live bait. As always, if you're on some fish but you keep coming up small, try to make your presentation deeper (ie lower) into the water column.
Largemouth will continue to come in using two primary patterns in the short term. On sunny days, you can find them around shallow docks, wood laydowns, slop and scattered weed clumps. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell. Be ready to switch tactics as they switch on and off, especially around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic. Deeper fish will continue to use weededges and points in 12-18 feet of water, or be suspended over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish. Some fish are still being taken off the weedlines and off the weed flats by anglers flipping around heavy cover.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3-5 active foraging moves each day and then suspending when not schooled up. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to plastics (wacky, jigworms, Ned rigs, grubs or tubes) when things are slower. After chasing them up shallow early, look for SM to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Some people are dropshotting out to 25FOW for SM, but most of the ones in my boat came in 6-12 FOW this week.
Walleyes will continue to hold in shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their last spawns of the summer. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in either 6-9 or 12-18 feet of water is a good place to start. A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish.
Northern pike activity has been slow and steady all summer, and I wouldn't expect that to change. Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky reports have been slow, but a few fish are being caught early and late. For the next run, look for them to over weedy flats in 8-12 feet of water making for some great topwater or large bucktail action, or in deeper water suspended around baitfish which is perfect for a trolling bite. Action will pick up considerably in the weeks ahead.
Good Luck and Cheers.
CT
High water, see our earlier post, and unstable weather continue to dominate local fishing conditions. You need to check the launches at each lake each day to understand whether or not the lake is under a slow no wake provision. In many places, like Moose lake, the prohibition is long term, but in others the restriction is day to day.
Water temps are in the mid to high 70's on most lakes, but a few of the darker bottom lakes can creep in the low to mid 80's. Lots of the lakes have some dirty water from the current and on/off again rains we've had.
All of that said, fishing is about average for late July. Notable is that with the higher water (and faster current in many areas) there's a large quantity of active fish in relatively shallow water this season. That's been the quirk this year, and I'm sure it has alot to do with the conditions we've had since late May. As we move towards August you can continue to look for fish in the obvious usual summer places, but watch for them to have periods of time where they feed actively. The changes in the photocycle become part of the fishing equation over the next month...and you can expect to see fish activity levels peak and ebb during each day.
Bluegills are still holding in deeper water, and will continue to do so for a couple of weeks. Look for them to suspend along weedlines in 12-22 feet of water, or to suspend over deeper sandgrass about 14-18 feet down over 40-50 feet of water. Action fish for the kids can still be found around swim platforms and many docks. Live bait rigs are great options as are small plastics tipped with live bait. As always, if you're on some fish but you keep coming up small, try to make your presentation deeper (ie lower) into the water column.
Largemouth will continue to come in using two primary patterns in the short term. On sunny days, you can find them around shallow docks, wood laydowns, slop and scattered weed clumps. As the sun gets up, look for them to move tighter to overhead cover, but here will be periods of time during the day where their activity level will increase for a short spell. Be ready to switch tactics as they switch on and off, especially around transition areas and over flats where the topwater bite can really be fantastic. Deeper fish will continue to use weededges and points in 12-18 feet of water, or be suspended over deep water about 6-12 feet below the surface. Some fish are relating to rockbars in 5-12 feet of water. Tube baits and skirted grubs are a great way to target these fish. Some fish are still being taken off the weedlines and off the weed flats by anglers flipping around heavy cover.
Smallmouth are starting the early fall pattern of making 3-5 active foraging moves each day and then suspending when not schooled up. When you are contacting active fish in shallow water, the bite can be incredible. Topwaters, including size 9 or 11 rapalas or poppers in natural patterns can get you started, but be ready to switch to plastics (wacky, jigworms, Ned rigs, grubs or tubes) when things are slower. After chasing them up shallow early, look for SM to be just off the first major break in deeper water. Some people are dropshotting out to 25FOW for SM, but most of the ones in my boat came in 6-12 FOW this week.
Walleyes will continue to hold in shallower weedy areas as the baitfish move in for their last spawns of the summer. For now jigging or backtrolling with live bait around weededges or drop-offs in either 6-9 or 12-18 feet of water is a good place to start. A few fish are appearing on mid-lake structure but many are staging off main-lake points, especially where there is bottom transitions from rock to sand or from sand to muck. Trolling with bottom bouncers and spinner harnesses or drifting with live bait rigs are great ways to target these fish.
Northern pike activity has been slow and steady all summer, and I wouldn't expect that to change. Smaller pike can almost always be found in shallow water around weed clumps and inside weededges adjacent to rock bars/shorelines. Larger pike can be taken trolling cranbkaits or backtrolling live bait along deeper weed edges, especially in 12-20 feet of water.
Musky reports have been slow, but a few fish are being caught early and late. For the next run, look for them to over weedy flats in 8-12 feet of water making for some great topwater or large bucktail action, or in deeper water suspended around baitfish which is perfect for a trolling bite. Action will pick up considerably in the weeks ahead.
Good Luck and Cheers.
CT
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