Wisconsin fishing reports 05/01/08

[Lee Borgersen]

Algoma Area    ( top )

Algoma Area

Anglers trolling the Kewaunee County portions of Lake Michigan did fairly well on brown trout out of Kewaunee. The Algoma boat launch is opened and anglers going out of that port reported fairly good results, again on browns. Silver Creek, west of Algoma, was producing some nice catches of steelhead up to the dam at Brummerville. Stony Creek also has been producing some rainbows, as has the Ahnapee River.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Ashland Area    ( top )

Ashland Area

Waiting is still the word of the day. The bay was still locked in with ice last week, but north of Houghton Point the water is open. There have been a few small boats out off the Sioux, conditions permitting. Red Cliff and Bayfield harbors are now open with a few boat anglers doing well. Inside the bay, the landings were still choked with ice. Washburn is close to opening, however. The few trollers making it out north of Washburn reported the water is not clear, but not too bad. There are fish being caught - not boat loads, but some action. The rest of the ice (Washburn to Ashland) should be gone by this week. Lots of people were fishing the “hot pond” in Ashland, and the coal dock in Washburn, with mixed results.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Eagle River Area    ( top )

Eagle River Area

While ice conditions remain good in the Eagle River area, some shorelines are opening up. Anglers should stay away from current areas, bridges, and docks. We may be breaking ice at the boat landings at the fishing opener (Sat., May 3, 2008). Stay tuned. In the meantime there's some excellent ice fishing going on right now in the Eagle River area. The bluegill bite in the Eagle River area is excellent. Fish 15 feet of water or less, in and around the remaining weeds. Use a small jig, tipped with a waxie or spike. Crappie action continues to improve in the Eagle River area. Fish 25 feet of water or less, over structure, and concentrating on break edges. The crappies are suspending anywhere on the water column. Use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber, recognizing that crappies only bite “up,” never “down.” The perch bite remains inconsistent. Fish either deep mud flats (35 feet of water or less) or around weeds in 15 feet of water or less. The perch are locating in both areas. Use a crappie minnow, waxie, or wiggler.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Green Bay Appleton Area     ( top )

Green Bay/Appleton Area

In Green Bay, the walleyes are still in the Fox River. Walleyes are numerous and trophy fish are still available. Heavy currents and strong winds have made it difficult for boat anglers to control their boats. Vertical jigging, crankbaits, and zip lures are all effective along the channel's edge. The night bite has been more consistently providing good results.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Hayward Area    ( top )

Hayward Area

The ice-fishing season has basically ended in the area, as ice conditions have deteriorated to the point that no ice travel is recommended. But nearly all lakes still had significant ice cover last week. It's still questionable whether the larger lakes will be ice-free by the start of fishing season on May 3. Prospective opening-day anglers may have to play it by ear, as cold weather may further delay ice-out. Redhorse and sucker fishing has started on local rivers and streams, but high water levels have hampered success.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Lake Michigan Metro Area Lakes    ( top )

Lake Michigan/Metro Area Lakes

Anglers on the Sheboygan River have been taking a few steelhead in Esslingen Park and the River Wildlife area. Pier fishing has been slow. A few boaters have been fishing in and around the harbor, and they have been catching browns on crankbaits.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Lake Winnebago Area    ( top )

Lake Winnebago Area

Fishing was good last week. The perch fishing has been very good, and the white bass are starting. Anglers also started picking up more walleyes.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Madison Area    ( top )

Madison Area

Fishing has been picking up in all backwater areas on the north side of most lakes. Cherokee Marsh has been sporting some crappie and bluegilll action. Lake Monona has had bluegill and crappie action, too, in most of the usual spots. Also check any of the channels for panfish.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Manitowoc Two Rivers Area    ( top )

Manitowoc/Tow Rivers

Anglers fishing from the piers and in the Manitowoc harbor were able to harvest some nice brown trout last week. Early in the week, anglers had some success fishing the north end of the marina for brown trout, then fishing pressure moved to the north pier stub where a few brown trout were harvested. Most anglers were using spawn sacs. Many boat anglers trolled the shoreline for brown trout. Success was mixed, with most action coming in the early morning. On the Manitowoc River, anglers have been fishing at Lower Cato Falls County Park for pike. A few anglers were still fishing the Branch River for rainbow trout from Hwy. 10 downstream to Union Road. There has been good action on the West Twin River, mostly near the Shoto Dam on some nice rainbow trout. On the East Twin River, anglers also had a good week, especially around the Mishicot dam.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Marinette Area    ( top )

Marinette Area

The walleye frenzy is starting to slow down with the influx of suckers in the Peshtigo and Menominee rivers. Dawn and dusk were still producing bites, but during the day, 90 percent of the walleyes were being foul-hooked and released. A few brown trout were being caught from Stephenson Island and the Hattie Street walkway on crankbaits and spoons. Many of the boats launching from the Ann Arbor, Little River, and Oconto Park II landings have been in search of brown trout, with little or no success. Anglers trolling in 6 to 8 feet of water, with planer boards and crankbaits, were catching walleyes. A few lakes lost ice cover last week in northern Marinette County. Turkeys have been very active throughout the county.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Minocqua Woodruff Area    ( top )

Minocqua/Woodruff Area

The majority of lakes in the area were still locked in ice last week. There were vehicles driving on the Willow Flowage as of April 19, but warmer weather in recent days will make only foot travel possible in the near future. Some panfish anglers were still out the bigger lakes last week. A few lakes are beginning to break up in the Tomahawk and Antigo area, but it will be at least this week until ice-out on Woodruff area lakes and those farther north. Most lakes should be ice-free for the fishing opener May 3, but large, deep lakes such as Trout and Tomahawk may still have areas of ice. Call ahead for reports.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Prairie Du Chien Area    ( top )

Marinette Area

The forecast for the Mississippi River is a steady period followed by another rise. The Wisconsin River is on the rise, too, and a large amount of backwater areas are flooded. The Kickapoo River has been rising, also. Bluegill, perch, and crappie action was slow last week due to the rising water. Perch action at the dams has slowed. Bluegill and crappie action was slow. The Ambro Slough complex and Sturgeon Slough did not see much fishing activity either, because of the high water. Walleye and sauger fishing below the Lynxville dam was pretty slow. The best time to fish was very early in the morning. The boat landing at Gordon's Bay is completely under water and unusable. Some shore anglers have been fishing on the long wall at the dam with limited success for perch, northerns, and walleyes. Anglers can park in the lot at Lock and Dam #9 and walk down to the wall; however, they might need knee or hip boots to access the wall. Large numbers of waterfowl moved out of the area last week. Some good viewing can still be found on Pool 9 in the Lynxville/Ferryville area and in the Pool 10 area around Prairie du Chien. Rooster pheasants are crowing and some ruffed grouse drumming has begun.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Siren Area    ( top )

Siren Area

Lakes should be in the 50s by the opener, except for the bigger lakes, but all of the lakes should be open. For walleyes on the bigger lakes, fatheads should be popular. Crappies should be close to their spawning areas. Try the 12- to 15-foot range for walleyes, or where you can find baitfish. Small lakes can come up 3 to 4 degrees in a few days of sunshine. Keep an eye on water temperature. Look for crappies and bass in 3 to 4 feet of water. The rivers should also be good. The water should still be up, and that usually translates into good walleye and smallmouth action.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

St. Germain Area    ( top )

St. Germain Area

Look for all fish in shallow water on opening weekend. Ice was still hanging on pretty good last week, so any lake that is clear of ice on opening weekend is still going to have cold water. The walleyes should be up close and spawning, so anglers shouldn't have much trouble finding fish. Back off in a little deeper water during the day, but at night you won't even need a boat; just wade the shorelines and cast crankbaits.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Sturgeon Bay Area    ( top )

Sturgeon Bay Area

Brown trout action picked up last week. There were good opportunities for trolling on both Green Bay and Lake Michigan. There were some reports of catches while trolling with Rapalas, and it appears that most of the action is out of Stone Quarry and Sister Bay ramps. Anclam Park in Bailey's Harbor or Anderson Dock in Ephraim could provide some good shore fishing opportunities.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT

Wausau Area    ( top )

Wausau Area

The walleye bite is still going strong. Limits of eaters are common, and there are some big fish being released, as well. Look for walleyes to be up in 2 to 5 feet of water. Shallow rocks and gravel will hold the most fish right now. A simple jig and minnow combination works best. There are plenty of turkeys are being harvested.

Thursday, May 1, 2008 11:29 AM CDT