Anglers To Change Strategy?

[Lee Borgersen]

Fishing Opener Just Days Away, DNR Says Anglers Might Have To Change Strategy    
 
 
 
Rhinelander WI - It's a day many have been waiting months for Saturday's inland fishing opener is quickly approaching.

That means anglers can start taking walleye, bass, and northern pike on lakes throughout Wisconsin.

However, for us in the north, bass season is open for catch and release only from May 5 through June 15. This year's unusually warm weather will make for a different opener than past years.

John Kubisiak is a Fisheries Biologist with the DNR and says the early ice out will play a role.

"We had ice going off the lakes on March 20," Kubisiak says. "That's about a month ahead of where I'd expect to be. Looking at between the 15th and 25th of April for ice out. Everything else moved up because of that."

Kubisiak says the fish will be ahead of their usual cycle.

That means people may need to change their strategy.

"They've probably moved to more like mid-to-late May feeding areas, weed edges and places they're going to find bait fish," Kubisiak says. "Think a few weeks ahead of where you'd normally be this time of year and you'll probably be about right."