First time fishing

I have lived in Chetek for over ten years now and I’m just now starting to fish. I’ve only been fishing for about four days now. I haven’t caught anything yet but I’m still having a blast. Can anyone give some pointers? I’m looking to do some fishing from shore(or pier) since I don’t have a boat. I’m not really interested in bluegill though I live within walking distance of the bridge in town and I hear the bluegill fishing is pretty good there. I’m really looking to do some bass fishing. Walleye, crappie, and pike would be nice too. Any tips about what to use, where to go, and WHEN to go would be really helpful. Thank you. I’ve been going down by the dam every morning. Got a few hits on my Rapala Countdown but nothing has taken it yet.

Want action? Rip a big spinner near the surface of the water during early morning or sunset hours. Bass and pike love it. Good place to start.

In the fall, I have fished below the dam in town there. Plenty of panfish will bite- gills, crappies and perch. Also, lots of SMB in there. See alot of those caught when I am fishing there.
There are walleyes there too.
I have not fished there any other time of the year, but I have to imagine you can catch some fish there all year long.

Another option is to head to Rice Lake. Fish below the dam there. You can catch ANYTHING there. I only fish that in the fall, as well, and we get into walleyes, pike, crappies, perch, muskies, gills and bass. Hmm..I think that is it

There are some parks and bridges in the area that are also worth a try. Just get out and do some exploring- tons of fun!

Good luck.

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I haven’t caught anything yet but I’m still having a blast.

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That’s one of the best lines I’ve read in a long time! Welcome to IDO and the wonderful world of fishing! Keep on asking questions here and soon you’ll be catching fish!

If you are trying to catch bass, just start with the basics. Get some 7″ power worms in a green pumpkin color and some 2/O offset round bend worm hooks and 1/8 to 1/4 oz. bullet weights. If you don’t know what a texas rig is, just look it up online. You can throw it deep or shallow, and fish it around heavy weeds or wood and catch bass of all sizes.

I like to fish from shore sometimes, and I try to cover water just like I would from my boat. If there is a park or public area you can fish from, start at one end and work your way down to the other. I know chetek is loaded with bass, so you should easily be able to catch some. Good luck.

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If you don’t know what a texas rig is, just look it up online.

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Hey. I actually know what that is. As for fishing from shore, what about the area around the pier by Gilligan’s? Can you recommend any shore sites to start with? I will be working late all weekend but on Tuesday I plan on getting up before sunset and looking for a good spot or two. The only problem I’m having right now is that I don’t know what is and what is not privately owned.

rebel popper in shallows usually will take bass and hits can be exciting

The public pier by Gilligans is probably your best bet for bass. I bass fish the logs around there and have good luck. Probably because there are a lot of tournaments that start from The Pokegama Inn and some of the fish are released there when it is over. There is also a small public area on the shore near the marina. Another area where I see people fishing from shore is in the park on the north end of Prairie on the west shore.