Wausau Area Fishing Report

 

Yes, there’s plenty of ice on local lakes and reservoirs, and yes, it may be some time until winter finally releases its stranglehold on North-Central Wisconsin. That being said, late February finds me in the grip another stranglehold – cabin fever! Although the ailment is not limited to fishermen, anglers are arguably the most affected of all populations. There is but one cure – springtime; however, there are ways to help alleviate the symptoms of this notorious affliction, one of which is looking ahead to the endless possibilities that exist during the open water season. This week, that’s just what we’ll do…

While there are many “perks” to living in our area, one that pushes to the forefront during the waning weeks of winter is old marble-eye itself, the walleye. Unlike most bodies of water in the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin River system season remains open for us to take advantage of some fantastic walleye fishing beginning with the late ice period and moving steadily through spring. While many anglers are still waiting the statewide opening weekend in May, scores of walleyes are being caught from local waters, often beginning as early as late February.

Recent years have seen an increase in the average size of local walleyes, perhaps due in part to the slot limit enacted by the DNR a few years back. Yearly, we boat very good numbers of “slot” walleyes (walleyes 20”-28”), along with scores of “eaters” and the occasional giant as well. There are literally miles of river and reservoir in our region to explore in search of some fine spring walleye action.

Beginning with the late-ice period, another toothy adversary offers some exciting action, northern pike. While often overlooked in our region for the often more glorified musky, walleye, and smallmouth bass, pike can provide some true heart-stopping moments. For a pike angler, our area offers a legitimate shot at a trophy “slimer”. Looking at last year’s records alone, we caught and released an amazing number of fish in the mid to upper thirty inch range, and even managed to break the “magic” forty inch barrier once as well.

While many of these fish were “accidental”, caught while fishing for muskies or other species, it was not always the case. Perhaps one of the best times of the season to target these large aggressive pike is during the late-ice period and subsequent early open water period. Late ice pike often succumb to tip up presentations baited with large golden shiners or sucker minnows. Dead bait, such as smelt, also can be deadly when used properly on these late winter behemoths.

As the ice melts, look to dark-bottomed back bays and inlet areas, be they rivers or creeks, to hold the largest pike. Live bait presentations work exceptionally well, as do suspending style crankbaits and jerkbaits. The quality of the northern pike fishery here in Marathon County will surprise you, and offer a nice reprieve from a bad case of cabin fever.

The possibilities do not end with walleye and northern pike, but merely begin. A myriad of species and angling opportunities exist within the confines of our area – I encourage you to explore the possibilities. As for me, I’ll see you on the water…

Tight lines,

Joel DeBoer

Wisconsin Angling Adventures

www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com

715-297-7573

joelthemuskyman@charter.net

"Fishing's our business...

and business is good!"

 

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*BRING ON THE ICE!! Cold temps are freezing up the smaller inland lakes, and there have been a few people venturing out on foot. NOT ALL THE LAKES ARE SAFE EVERYWHERE!! Use a spud bar, and check as you go. Some lakes are still open in places, other lakes have from skim, to up to 4 inches of ice in places. Reports have been good for shallow water action on Pan fish, Northern, and some Walleye. Bring your creepers, it's glare ice conditions most places.

*Chequamegon Bay has seen a few jiggers and trollers venturing out when the weather allows. Splake, Browns and a few Coho have been caught. Caution is the word out here, and bring a shovel or spud to clear open the landings, and a bucket of sand for traction, but if the weather cooperates, early winter jigging can be great! Stay tuned for ice updates as we get it!!

*NOW BOOKING Ice adventures on Chequamegon Bay, Apostle Islands Lake Trout trips, and Inland lake mixed bag ice fishing excursions, Call or email today for details on an exciting fully guided ice fishing trip with Captain Craig. Discounts available with lodging/fishing packages.

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Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) -Fishing activity has diminished to near nothing on lakes in the Park Falls area, with most anglers having winterized their boats and put them in storage until spring. Nearly all waterfront property owners have removed their docks and stored them onshore in anticipation of ice-up in the next few weeks. There have been a few diehard musky and walleye anglers still trying their luck - but little success has been reported. The musky anglers continue to drag large suckers as it's become almost too cold for artificials to be effective. The walleye anglers have had limited success using large fathead minnows and a slow presentation, but the bites have been light with a lot of drops. Water temperatures are now in the low 40's and cold night-time temperatures have caused some skim ice to form on small ponds and shallow bay areas. But for the most part, lakes remain open and several weeks away from any sort of ice fishing activity. The brook trout spawning season is just past its peak, which is typical for the mid-November period. The male brookies exhibit some spectacular spawning colors and they may still be viewed in their mating rituals on many native brook trout streams. Look for the spawning fish around gravel areas in riffles in the smaller tributary streams. Observers are reminded to watch from a distance and not disturb the fish or these fragile spawning areas - as this represents the future of that brook trout population

Kenny Wallock's Professional Guide Service

Fall is here and the “BIG FISH” bite is on. The past week my Clients got to enjoy the spectacular colors of fall and catch some “Hog” fish. Walleye’s up to 10 lbs. are being caught right now as the water temps are low 50 degrees and the fish have the feedbag on big time. We are catching our walleyes using a 1/8 oz. and ¼ oz. jig and minnow combination. The key is very large Red tail Chub and Sucker minnows in 4 to 6 inch size, fished in hard bottom areas. A sharp break containing current is also a bonus area where the walleyes are staging. We are also catching walleyes in the 15 to 20 range using this presentation, so if you’re looking for some fast “rod bending” action give this presentation a try.

Crappies and Bluegills continue to bite in the submerged timber in 5 to 10 feet of water. A 1/16 oz jig, tipped with a small crappie minnow, worm or plastic is all you need to trigger these fish into biting.

Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Catfish continue to be biting strong also, it’s hard to steer away from BIG Walleyes we have been catching but other local fisherman and friends have been having great fishing success also.

So come and enjoy some of the best fishing you will experience here in Central Wisconsin. If you see me at the launch or on the water feel free to stop and say HI for a current fishing report, till then keep a tight line and I will see you on the water…

.Gotta go there BITING.

Kenny

 

 

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April fishing continues very good. Most of our charter trips are catching limits on Browns with a few Rainbows, Lakers and Chinooks. The water flowing into Milwaukee harbor is 52 degrees and the lake is 46. We have been fishing the temp breaks in front of the river mouth and harbor gaps marking fish at all depths. Lots of bait fish around. The south gap was very good due to the northwest wind pushing the warm harbor out the gap. Always consider the wind direction and where the best temp breaks are created from the movement of the water. Our best presentations are Yellow Bird planer boards with 25 foot leads behind the boards and downriggers 20 to 25 feet down. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #1 with 20 feet of line out. We had some fish on downriggers but the majority of fish came in the top 15 feet on Slide Divers and Yellow Birds. The way I set up a planer board is with 20 lb. mono to a 1/4-ounce bead chain sinker. Use 8 feet of 18 lb. Seaguar Fluoro Premier fluorocarbon leader from the sinker to a size #1 Cross Lock snap and lure. The fish have not been too particular. Most 3-4 inch spoons are taking fish. Some of our best producers have been Vulcan Silver Sky, Nestor Wobblers Sun Burn Glow sold at http://www.badgertackle.com Michigan Stinger Jawbreaker, Tourney Winner and most of their silver orange spoons. There is also Lake Trout being caught in 40 to 80 feet of water north of Milwaukee I have no info on what presentation or how deep. Our best boat speed was 2.0 to 2.4 mph. For cold water keep your speed down. Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2007, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Went 10 for 10 my first trip of the season for our two person limit. Took a left
turn at the harbor mouth this morning to the golf course and fished in 12 to 15
feet of water.  Caught 10 brown trout in less than 2 hours using a variety
of small stick baits trolled behind planer boards.  The largest trout
weighed about 7 pounds. Water temperature was 48 degrees and the lake water was cloudy. 
What a great start to the season

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Aug 4th Fished Friday with Glen Gast. Glen has his own boat, but decided this year that he needed a little help on spots and techniques. He booked a June trip in the Spring and an August Summer outing for yesterday. He's also going out with me again in October for some Fall fishing tips and tactics. Friday was a sunny day, but we got lucky with a west wind changing to N/W and once more to N/E.
Smallmouth Bass was what we were targeting fishing in 27 to 37 fow. Carolina Rigs were working well along with dead sticking producing equally as well. We managed to boat 23 smallies and had our share of break offs. Anchoring was the way to go for us. Glen has been an excellent pupil and has improved on his fishing skills this year. Looking forward to hooking up again with him in October.

August 5th Fished today with a father and son team Ron and Jeff Ocherlund along with their friend Frank Zummo. We were out from 5:15 am till 12:30 pm. Even though we weren’t targeting pike it was hard to get the message across to the pike. Every spot we fished the pike seemed to show up and put a temporary halt the the smallie action. Normally they cruse in and raise a little havoc and cruse on down the road with the smallie action returning to normal. Today they were hungry and decided to pick on us. Several of today's pike were ripped up pretty good from prior hooking and we also saw 3 others swimming the surface having lost the ability to stay submerged.

We did very well on the smallies today using the same tactics as yesterday's approach. Two of our spots today were completely dead, but we were able to land on our feet working other spots. Lost count on the smallies today, but I'm sure were in the mid 20's

REMEMBER: "Knowledge is the key to successful fishing."

See you on the water, Lee Borgersen

 

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