Fox or Oconto?

Plan on making a run to Lake Michigan the weekend of April 7th. Staying with family in Seymour, WI. which puts both rivers within reach. Of the two river systems, which would you guys pick and why? The idea of being in the bay with an easterly wind does make me nervous about heading to Oconto. Not sure what to expect as far as wind speed vs. wave size. Is the Fox River access comparable to the pileup on the Rainy?

Any insight or experience would be appreciated.

Lived in Wisconsin for many years, although never got up to that area to fish. Where I had a place in Mercer, there was a neighbor…a river rat of sorts that cut his teeth on the Wolf River. He would regale about impressive catches on the Wolf. Looking at where you’re gonna be at, perhaps the Wolf is not too far away? Wish I could offer more…maybe research it and…?

I would read the latest fishing reports on Lake-Link for both river and make my decision on that. I have fished both rivers in the spring and speaking from experience the bite starts on the fox then works its way north. There is more fishable water on the fox in my opinion and is always my first choice.

or Peshtigo or Menomonie further north… Right now if you enjoy the peace and quiet, the rivers further north would suit you fine. But to be where the fish are… as woody just said, start at the Fox and head north. I have heard from reliable source that the males have been there for 3 weeks or so now… Last I looked at LL, the Oconto was open, but beyond the river mouth, not yet… and just looked now, still locked up and actually a few ice reports from outside the wall…

Mark

Good info guys!

It looked as though the 7th might be a bit late to catch the Fox River run, as reports and YouTube videos were already showing up. If the extended forecast is correct, the mid 50 highs may shoot those water temps past 40 before I would be able to get on them.

Are the other northern rivers boat able, or are those fish mostly caught staging in the bay? The reason I ask is because 1: I don’t have a clue. 2: it’s possible I could up the date to the 1St if that meant getting on the Fox bite.

Here is my 2 Cents..I have been to the Fox in the spring for the past 8 years. I always plan my trip over there around the April 8-10. If it happens to be a little late and the big girls are mostly spawned out I head north to Oconto…I fish the mouth of the river there and there is a great boat landing at the mouth. If things aren’t happening there then it’s off to prestigo..I don’t have allot of experience there but what I can tell you I launch my boat in town and just fish the river close to the boat ramp. If you are in Prestigo and your catching suckers..your too late. Water temps, moon phase, and length of daylight each day seem to play a big part on what happens there. I will be on the Fox April 8-12 this year and I’m confident it will be prime time. If you search Lake-Link you have to filter out allot of the mumbo jumbo on the fishing reports….There is some great info on there but too much drama sometimes. The more reports you read you will figure out whats going on over there. Wherever you go have fun and good luck !!

woody:

Great synopsis!!! Only thing to add is that you can continue the northward trek by going to the Menomonie north of Peshtigo. If you wanted to get a MI license you could probably continue up into Bays de Noc. Once you have gone through all of the in the river scenarios, you could start by fishing the shoals of the Bay to the first break til water temps get into the 60’s, then they’ll be dispersing over the break after.

Mark

You guys are awesome!

Woody, sounds like you and I will be seeing each other somewhere.

Can’t tell for sure, but it looks like a lot of ice got pushed to the east side of Green Bay. Satellite photos show some shore ice yet.

Haven’t fished the fox in awhile but from about now til your time frame you should be ok, that said like any other body of water it changes every year, we always went in March and had caught lotsa quality fish, but that was before the info was like it is now. It was always funny when we stopped on the way over from western wi we’d always meet people from that area heading to our home waters which was pool 4-6

http://cityofoconto.com/Harbor_Cam.html

https://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.php?region=m

Although yesterdays photo (3-8) was obscured, the 7th looks like it needs a bit more time… I had seen where Bret Alexander has posted pics on FB of blue seas on GB, satelite tells a bit different story… but its getting close…

Mark

Here is a tool that might help you out on the fox. The flow over there makes a HUGE difference in success and failure.

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