It’s full of oil, and still pees water strong as ever.

Fireflick,

I might take you up on that offer to try Pool 5. With the crowds and inconsistent bite on Pool 4, Alma’s not sounding too bad.

Never been on Pool 5 before, though, and was wondering if you could point out a few starting spots for a new guy. Is it a “head to the dam” thing like Red Wing or is there some action downstream? Also, I’ve seen the bait shop mentioned a few times, but I’m not sure where it is. Same with the ramp.

Thanks in advance.

I suppose I’ll weigh in on this since I live on the Chetek Chain that was originally in question. I’ve only lived here for two years, so I’m sure your friend has much more knowledge and experience, but I’ll tell you what I’ve seen.

I don’t fish tournaments. In fact, I don’t usually fish the chain on weekends because it’s an absolute madhouse, as are many other recreational lakes. We’re talking bass tournaments, water skiers, tourists/fishermen, pontoons, jetskis, etc., all on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. So I head out of town.

I do grab a few hours of water time on the chain after work during the week. I haven’t seen the floating bass, maybe only one or two since I’ve been here. I do see the occasional panfish floating, but I really can’t say that it’s a problem. In truth, I’m amazed at the quality of the fishery considering how it is absolutely pounded all summer, and winter, long. It continues to produce a good bluegill and crappie population, although it sounds like the size is down.

There is some sentiment among many locals that the bass have overrun the lakes, and are therefore harming the fishery. So bass are viewed in a negative light by some, and maybe the tournaments get lumped in there somehow. Bass are definitely abundant, as you can’t spend a day or night walleye fishing without getting into the bass as well. The lower walleye population is more a result of poor spawning habitat than anything, and some groups are taking steps to improve that.

I don’t know how the power loading ruins the landing, but I do see the Bullets and Nitros fly by with their 250s on the back. I guess they don’t bother me a whole lot. Nice boats. Wish I had one. And for the complaints about the skiers and big boats chasing grandpa and grandson off their spots: there’s a lot of water out there. Minnesota has 10,000 lakes, and I’m under the impression that Wisconsin has more. There’s always somewhere else to fish, or you can come back during the week. There’s always an alternative I guess.

Hit the lake last night at about 6 p.m. Casted a purple ringworm to the north end shorelines for smallmouths and came up with two fish, one 16 and one 16.5. Also hooked into a 13-inch perch on the same setup. Don’t know how that happened.

Right before dark I rigged up for some night crank trolling, still on the north end. It was slow for a while. Then at about 9:45 p.m. I hooked a 16 inch eye. Shortly after I got another 19.5 inch eye. To top that off, while I was turning on one end of my pass my outside rod about split in half. About five minutes later I had my first ever muskie in the boat. 33 inches, not big by muskie standards but still quite a rush. I can see how guys get hooked on ’em. By 11 the bite seemed to die so I took off. I’ll take nights like those anytime I can get ’em.

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I was using a longer-shanked jig to better fit the longer, bigger plastics. But I’ll give the shorter ones a try. I’ll also make sure to thread the curl of the tail away from the hook.

Have a great weekend on the water.

Stillakid,

Thanks for the welcome and all the info. I actually just moved up here a couple years ago, so I’m still getting acquainted.

From what I’ve seen and heard, the Chetek chain is pretty well packed with lm bass. Last summer I spent most of my time on upper Prairie here in Chetek. No pigs, but I did pretty well on decent fish. They’re scattered throughout the lakes, too, so don’t confine yourself to Prairie.

Also ventured over to Long Lake and that chain in Chippewa County. Didn’t do as well over there, but there’s a lot of water and I need more time there.

Where’s the folks’ cabin? Also, do you know of any consistent smallie lakes in the area, an hour or two out is fine?

Nothin’ snoopy about it. I don’t mind a quick conversation with someone new after eight hours in a boat with the same person.

There were two of us in a 16 foot light blue and white Sylvan.