Trempealeau Area

I am new to Wisconsin and the Mississippi area. Just lookin for a little insight on good fishing spots between winona and lacrosse? Mainly interested in LM &SM bass, cats, crappie, and walleye but I enjoy catching whatever is biting! Currently I do not have a boat, but I am working on that. Any info on nearby lakes/streams would be appreciated also?

Sorry I didn’t reply sooner. The Trempealeau area is a good place to start. The wingdams and rip rap within the first 5 miles down the river hold good numbers of smallmouth. Upstream from the dam is the same. The Trepealeau lakes has decent largemouth bass with Third and Mud Lake having some real quality fish. The bait shop will tell you where to put in. The lakes also have good populations of blugills and crappie. The catfish seem to be almost everywhere on the river. I have a good friend who is a comercial fisherman/setliner and I have seen several cat he caught below wingdams between 50-60 pounds in the last couple years. You mentioned you were presently “boatless,” so you might want to consider the “fishing float” at the dam in Trempealeau (as with most of the dam sites) and they will boat you there and back. The guys on that float catch just about anything and everything. Welcome to the area, good luck and have fun!

Third lake and long lake has been really good lately for bass. As soon as some weedlines develope the action will really heat up.

Had a buddy of mine that was out on Third Lake last week and did pretty well with bass and northern. Throw Moss Boss’s over thick cover and wait for some explosive action.

Mister Twisters have worked also along weedlines. Throw Shad Raps (crawfish or perch Number 5’s) over wingies and you’ll never know what you’ll hook up with there. Try some of the back water heading toward Winona. My dad and I used to fish up there a lot and always had good luck. I grew up in Ettrick and now live in Hudson. Love the Miss. and the ‘Croix, my new home.

KwikStik

Thanks for the info. Who will boat me to the fishing float and back? Is there a fee?

I’m not sure anymore. The old baitshop by the dam “Chet’s” is gone now, and that’s who used to have the service. Try calling a place called “Hungry Point.” They are the baitshop on the road to the Trempealeau Lakes. They should know something. Yes, there is usually a fee, but not big bucks. There is another fishing float about fifteen miles upriver at the Fountain City dam. This float is on the Wisconsin side so there is no boating involved. I saw people fishing off the rocks by that float on Sunday (no fee for that) and they looked like they were catching fish. Good luck!

I think that the fee is around 15 dollars for all day. Not really sure i know they raised it from 11 awhile back. It may even be 20. If you fish 3rd lake you can catch some nice bullheads. Around a 1 lbs. to 1 1/2. Use roast beef. works great ( no joke) You can also fish off the wall on the lock side. Friend of mine fishes there all the time and does good on perch, walleye, cats. almost anyting. Give it a try won’t hurt and it’s free

Edited by Dodge Boy on 07/09/01 09:13 PM.