Wisconsin Fishing Report 4-8-10 (1 of 2)

[Woody]

Report for week of 4/8/2010

GENERAL - Despite the brief drop in temperatures this week, most spring activities are a week or
two ahead of normal. Walleye in some northern lakes have already spawned out, and spawning is
moving ahead quickly on other lakes. Despite an early May 1 opener for the game fish season,
fisheries managers expect walleyes will be in post spawn conditions throughout the north. Lake
Superior steelhead runs are also running ahead of normal and some steelhead are already
migrating back down tributaries to the lake.

Lake Winnebago system walleye are also mostly done spawning on the Wolf River and area making
their way back into the lake system. Sturgeon began spawning on the upper Fox River Easter
weekend. The Fox warms more rapidly and sturgeon almost always begin spawning there a week or
more before they begin on the Wolf. Sturgeon have been porpoising at several sites on the Wolf
and Embarrass rivers, but no spawning has been observed. Prior to and during the spawning
period, lake sturgeon exhibit a porpoising behavior where they come to the surface adjacent to
spawning sites and jump out of the water or sometimes just stick their faces out of the water.
Depending on the water temperatures, this activity may go on for up to two weeks before spawning
actually begins at a particular site.

Water levels on the Mississippi River are continuing to drop, and were at 13.6 feet at Prairie du
Chien this week. Perch fishing was good to excellent the past couple weeks but has slowed as
perch move off their spawning beds. Walleye fishing action has been moderate, but should improve
over the next couple of weeks.

Free fishing clinics for children 15 years and younger will be held Saturday, April 10, at several
lagoons and ponds in Milwaukee, Washington and Waukesha counties. Members of local fishing
clubs organize the clinics, and instruction includes fishing techniques, equipment use, knot tying,
safety rules and fish identification. A list of parks is available on the DNR Web site

NORTHERN REGION - Polk County - Visit our store in Centuria, Wi. for up to date reports on all the
local lakes.

Douglas County - Most of the Lake Superior tributaries including the Brule are past the peak of the
spring steelhead runs. Early snowmelt this year brought in most of the run sooner than usual.
Spawning activity is peaking and most fish migrate back down to the lake soon after spawning. A
few fish typically enter the streams all the way into late May with small groups entering after rain
events.

Bayfield County - Lake Superior steelhead runs have started although steelhead fishing has been
slow around the Bayfield peninsula. Anglers have been catching some fish in the Sioux River and it
could improve if the region gets some rain. The steelhead runs are supported by natural
reproduction. Several years of supplemental stocking was done in the Brule River, but the
steelhead runs in all the Lake Superior tributaries are supported by natural reproduction.

Woodruff DNR Service Center area - Along with early spring comes early fish spawning activity. The
walleye spring fish run is in full swing in the north. In fact many of the lakes along the southern edge
of the area are already winding down their walleye activity. Even with an early fishing opener (May
1) there probably won’t be a wide variety of fishing conditions to contend with. Anglers will still want
to do some homework prior to venturing out to a favorite lake but most lakes will be in post
spawning activity. Low water levels continue to be an issue as the winter snow didn’t add a whole lot
and there have been no spring rains as of yet. A reminder to anglers to make sure to have a
current fishing license and to carry the license on your person when out on the water. Also be sure
to have boats registered prior to heading out on the water. Also, please remember that you must
have the appropriate and correct number of personal flotation devices in your boat. Boater safety
courses are currently being given and/or scheduled to begin. A Boating Safety Internet course is
available on-line.

NORTHEAST REGION - Peshtigo DNR Service Center area - Windy and warm conditions, coupled
with low water has slowed the walleye bite considerably. Water temperatures at the landings are
around 56 degrees. Fishing pressure this past week has been high.

Marinette County - The Peshtigo River sucker run is in full swing but a few walleye were still being
caught early morning and evenings. A reminder to anglers that the Peshtigo River has special
hours (1/2 before sunrise-1/2 after sunset) above the train bridge by the municipal garage.
Menominee River shore anglers were catching a few walleye from Stephenson Island to the Hattie
Street Dam. Boaters have been plying their trade for walleye by the mouth of the Menominee
drifting and jigging lead and minnow. Some perch were being caught from the Menominee
Lighthouse Pier on crappie rigs tipped with minnows.

Oconto County - Suckers are the main draw at Stiles Dam as they are now in full spawn mode. The
occasional walleye was still being caught before sunrise and after sunset. Boats are trolling out of
the Oconto Breakwater Harbor, parking is limited due to construction. Boats fishing out of Oconto
Park II are having some success with walleye and northern, trolling in 4 to 6 feet of water with stick
baits. The color red seems to be a good trigger.

Brown County - The Fox River walleye bite has been slow over the last week. Most anglers have
been jigging for them up by the dam; anglers are also targeting the river channel. The best action
has been on orange or chartreuse colored jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers have also been
casting lures in shallow water to target the larger spawning females. The spawn is slowing now and
most fish are spawned out. Some brave souls have been venturing out on to the bay tolling for
walleye in university bay. The best bite seems to be during cloudy days with a good chop on the
water.

Manitowoc County - Early in the weekend the winds were light and variable, but by Saturday
afternoon and continuing through most of Sunday the winds were gusty creating waves from 2 to 5
feet high on Lake Michigan. The skies were mostly cloudy with scattered rain showers and
temperatures ranging from 40 to 45 degrees. East Twin River anglers fishing for steelhead near the
Mishicot dam had some success this past weekend either fly fishing or using spinners and spawn
sacs. The sucker run appears to be in full swing as most anglers landed several suckers for every
steelhead hooked. West Twin River steelhead and sucker fishing has been excellent near the large
Shoto dam. Anglers had the greatest success using spawn sacs with a few split shots for weight.
Most of the landed steelhead were still spawning. A few anglers launched at the Shoto ramp in
search of catfish, but the fishing was fairly slow. Water temperatures in the river have quickly risen
to the mid 40s, but water level is very low. Fishing in the Manitowoc River was relatively quiet this
weekend most likely due to the strong winds and the Easter holiday. A few anglers ventured out for
catfish and carp. Anglers used a variety of bait from night crawlers to even spawn sacs on bottom.
Very few anglers were steelhead fishing. The Branch River over the weekend saw limited angler
action. Poor weather and low water levels likely limited fishing activity this weekend. The water levels
in Silver Creek are very low. A few steelhead have been observed but there has been very little
fishing pressure. The suckers have had no problem getting through the shallows and can be found
throughout the area. A few dip netters have had no problem getting their desired amount. A strong
southwest wind made fishing difficult this weekend at Two Rivers and Manitowoc Harbor/Piers. A few
hardy anglers were using orange spoons or spinners but they had very slow fishing. Manitowoc/Two
Rivers boat ramps have been quiet due to the strong winds last week. When the weather has
cooperated, anglers have had success catching brown trout with an occasional rainbow using crank
baits and spoons of various colors. A few steelhead have been taken using spawn near the Little
Manitowoc River mouth but fishing pressure remains relatively low due to strong winds. Dip netters
also have had success taking abundant amount of suckers.