Despite the super warm spell, most the first open-water areas that produce panfish, northerns and bass are still iced in. The launches at the municipal harbor, Wilcox, and Peterson lakes still have ice cover. Guys were still standing on the ice in the harbor. Big Lake is 99% ice free and Peterson Lake is about %75 open. The ice on the bottom of Lake Pepin is holding strong.
As of March 18, the launching options are, Camp LeCouplis (if they are open for business) Indian Slough (the first launch across the bridge) and Pontoon slough. With all of the construction along the dike road, I’m not sure if you can get anywhere from Pontoon.
The good news is the water is surprisingly clear. 
There was at least 3 feet of visibility on the MN side of the main channel. The Chippewa is still putting out some color so the WI side is a little dingy. I suspect things will go down hill once the runoff from the Minnesota River hits here. 
The water temps are in the high 30’s, and in a few areas I saw 50’s. The conditions are looking right, but the fish are still a few days behind. Hopefully the next couple of days of cold weather and rising water won’t set thing back significantly.
John
Is that dike road construction going to mess up the fishing on there all season? What’s your thoughts on that? 
