There has been increased fishing activity in many parts of the state over the past week. However, once the wind picked up and the temperatures started to drop, it’s probably safe and sound to assume that the open water fishing season was officially over.
It’s expected to stay frosty for quite some time, which has many anglers and bait shop owners excited about the potential start of ice fishing season in the not-too-distant future. The gun deer season starts on Saturday, November 23 and lasts until Sunday, December 1.
The muzzleloader season will run from December 2 to December 11. The North Duck Zone closed on November 19, but the season in the South Duck Zone runs until December 1. The Open Water Duck Zone lasts until December 10. Hunters seem to be having a good duck season so far.
Wisconsin
SHLAND AREA
Coho dandies are being caught – the rains have brought a lot of dynamic fish to the streams. The bass were also dynamic. But frosty weather is coming, so get your boats ready for winter because ice fishing season should be here soon. Archery hunters are reporting higher numbers of deer. Let’s hope this will be the case during the deer season as well. Happy Thanksgiving.
Angler’s All, (715) 682-5754
River Rock, (715) 682-3232
EAGLE RIVER AREA
Water temperatures remain in the 40s throughout the area, but should drop with the recent frosty snap. We’re all starting to think about ice fishing. The walleye fishing has been very good over the last few weeks. The Eagle River Chain offers good walleye fishing in the deeper holes, and not just because of the numbers. On the larger lakes off the chain, fishing was good off the stops and in depths to over 30 feet. For best results, exploit larger minnows, such as sucker minnows, on these lakes.
Northern pike feed aggressively in weeds – shallow or deep. Muskie fishing remains robust with some better action lately. Trolling with baits or suction cups has proven to be productive.
Orła Sports Center,
(715) 479-8804
GREEN BAY/APPLETON AREA
Most of the recent reports come from anglers fishing the Fox River. Water levels remain low and very soiled, causing inconsistent walleye action most days. Some anglers report catching walleyes on the flats north of the highway using bristle and blade baits. 172. Several anglers trolling this area with Flicker Minnows also report catching a few fish. Anglers casting crankbaits such as Flicker Shads and Berkley Hit Sticks at De Pere Dam report catching a few walleyes on each trip. The best action seems to be morning and evening. Muskie anglers trolling the lower bay near the Fox Estuary and river banks are reporting ponderous activity. There are reports of bass fishing in Dead Horse Bay and on the west side of the highway. Bridge 172 over the Fox River.
Smokey’s on the Bay – Bait, Tackle and Guide, (920) 593 1749
HAYWARD AREA
Muskie anglers should fish Bull Dawgs, Medusas, Bucktails, gliding baits and crankbaits ranging from 50 to 50 feet. In the deep pools, a few fish are targeting crappie and walleye. Red October suction cups and tubes fished vertically work well in deep water. Walleye are deep and shallow. When it’s shallow, exploit suckers and compact swimbaits. For deep-sea fish, run live bait rigs on the bottom or slowly pull plastic drop shot rigs. Northern pike enter the bushes and hide in shallow bays. Crappies are tied to the pool and wander the deep waters in search of food. Look for fish in 15 to 35 feet. In this early frosty water, pool fish should be near the bottom where there is still plenty of oxygen.
Hayward Bait, (715) 634-2921
LAKE MICHIGAN/LAKERS METRO AREA
Muskie action has been best in 8 to 12 feet of water. Catches in deeper structure are also producing, especially enormous fish. Casting the lures triggered the muskie to follow, which would then hit the suckers on swift strike rigs. Soak one suction cup on the edge of the boat and hang the other under a bobber, above a deeper structure.
Anglers fishing the Rock River have reported a few walleyes. This is a great place to moist your line from the shore. Walleyes were on the edges of the deeper holes. The smallmouth action worked best on breaks or rock rods with a suction cup or gold sheen, fished with a slip rig. Largemouth bass were dynamic in 5 to 5 feet of water on crankbaits and swim jigs, or on a gold shiner or suction cup on a ring or an octopus hook suspended under a bobber. Walleye fishing was best in low lithe, when they could be found on weeds or rocks in 4 to 8 feet of water. Soaking a gold shiner or sucker on a No. 4 hook and fishing under a lit bobber produced fish.
Smokey’s Bait Shop, (262) 691-0360
Dick Smith’s Bait, (262) 646 2218
Madison area
Late last week the lake temperature was 53 degrees and most of the fish were hanging in the shallow water on weeds or shallow breaks in the shoreline. Bluegills are copious in Monona Bay, with fewer crappie on the weed edges. The bite has been good at night off the Monona Terrace wall. Largemouth are caught in the shallows on live bait, while smallmouth are mostly caught on rocky breaks in the shoreline in 3 to 5 feet of water, but sometimes shallower as well. Don’t be surprised if you add some zander. The muskie bite has been good and should improve as water temperatures drop.
D&S bait and equipment,
(608) 244-3474.
MINOCQUA/WOODRUFF/ LAKE TOMAHAWK AREA
A longer streak of nice weather ended with a nasty wind that spoiled the fun. Temperatures on the lakes ranged from 42 to 46 degrees, but this will be the last time temperatures reach 40 degrees. Muskie’s action was good, the strongest bite came from suckers. It’s still worth throwing gliders and twitches to get attention. Perch action is also good on weeds 10 to 10 feet long using compact minnows. Some nice northern pike up to 30 inches are hitting the suckers intended for muskies. The muskie season lasts until December, but anglers can only legally fish in open water from the shore or from a boat (no fishing is allowed from a dump truck). Although deer season in the Northwoods isn’t what it used to be, there have been some nice trail camera photos of bucks recorded this fall.
Signs of a rut continued into last week, so despite the delayed start to gun season, deer hunters are hoping for good success.
Island Sporting Goods Store, (715) 356-4797.
PRICE COUNTY AREA
Interest in walleye and muskie fishing has dropped off now that weather conditions have become more wintry, but for those still fishing, muskie anglers can try suction cupping the inside edges of any green weeds they can find before moving on. deeper water. Most walleyes get lucky by hanging suckers or shiners over shallower ledges or gravel areas in low lithe conditions. There will be crappie and perch near the shallow weeds, but then they will start to move deeper as the water cools and daylight hours shorten. Minnows on jigs should work in both cases. For bluegill, exploit waxes and plastics on compact jigs.
Fishing rods St. Croix, Park Falls,
(715) 762-3226
Rossa Sports Store, Phillips,
(715) 339-3625
Michigan
ESCANABY AREA
Yellow perch anglers reported good fishing in Little Bay de Noc. Fishing for perch has been good near Kipling, at The Narrows and on the Days River. Walleye anglers reported mixed results. Those who were most successful trolled with crankbaits after shadowy. The ruin continues and the firearms season should be good.
Bay View Bait, (906) 786-1488.
L’ANSE AREA
Fishing is ponderous in Keweenaw Bay. A few lake trout were caught in the bay off the Huron Islands and in Union Bay. Several kings and coho have been caught in the Falls, Silver and Huron rivers. Archery deer season has been fair, with plenty of toasty and windy days. The firearms season should be good. The ruin continues and the goats are chasing.
Indian country sports,
(906) 524-6518
IRON RIVER AREA
Trout fishing has been good on some of the larger lakes in Iron County, including Chicago, Ottawa, Golden and others. Anglers report catching enormous numbers of rainbows, brookies, specks and lakes. Archery Deer season has been decent with some nice bucks reported.
Luckey’s Sports Store,
(906) 265-0151
Minnesota
DULUTH AREA
With the exception of deer season, there wasn’t much outdoor activity in the area. Fishing reports have been non-existent for almost two weeks and skimmed ice is expected to appear on some ponds and bays, possibly as soon as this weekend if the frigid weather continues.
Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094
FOREST LAKE
Last week, the main topic of interest for many people was the ongoing deer hunting season. Those fishing continue to catch walleye, sauger and jumbo bass along the south shore using upright bait and frozen emerald shiners in 22 to 28 feet of water. The Rainy River continues to have good numbers of shiners, providing a good walleye bite in 3 to 25 feet of water. Sturgeon fishing also remains high.
Lake Of The Woods Tourist Office, (800) 382-Fish
LUCHOWE LAKE
Only a handful of anglers were on the lake last week – mostly fishing for perch and walleye – so fishing reports were meager. With frosty weather arriving early in the week, this will likely continue until ice forms and is walkable.
Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505
RED WING AREA
Walleye and walleye activity has slowed on the Mississippi River since last week. While it seemed like more fish had moved into the river from Lake Pepin last week and were quite dynamic, the bite under the dam and throughout the river was extremely hard earlier this week.
Four Season Sports, (651) 388-4334
