Dewey Schultz & I busted ice going up the lake on Saturday morning. The ice started out in front of Weigands Bay and was froze up solid all the way to the car ferry. (ice thickness varied) We pretty much just put the boat in gear and busted a trail at about idling speed.
In the morning, we had very few choices when it came to places to fish. There were a few open water areas and thats where we fished. By later in the afternoon, more areas opened up. Morning fishing was cold and slow with only a few saugers along the way. The main bite happened from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. We ended the day with 13 saugers, two over 20″, ten legals and 1 shortie. Our best bait was paddletails tipped with a minnnow. Most of our fish came from water between 21-23′ deep but we did pop a few from water as deep as 34′ also. It was pretty darn cold out there on Saturday but we were joined by at least three or four other boats during the course of the day. Dealing with the cold was a matter of dressing properly and dealing with the ice was bit of a pain at times, but in the end, the effort required was definitely worth it. Great time Dewey!
Art Green didn’t care if we had to bust a little ice in order to get in one last sauger fishing trip on Lake Wisconsin. The ice was definitely a little thicker on the way up to the rail road bridge this morning but in the end, that just makes the day of fishing seem like an even better adventure!
We were once again forced to fish the only open water available when we first arrived but just like yesterday, more water opened up as the day wore on.
Art and I used paddletails tipped with minnows again but the with the wind slightly stronger than yesterday, there were times when we couldn’t fish where we wanted to. Some crushed ice flows moved in and pushed us elsewhere. Still, considering the conditions, we had ourselves a pretty good day with twelve saugers and one northern pike. Four saugers were over 20″, five were legals and the rest were shorties.
We did have to be a little creative at times when dealing with ice, but in the end, we worked it out pretty good.
Great fishing with you again Art!
First picture – Looking ahead of the boat in the morning.
Second picture – Broken ice trail in the ice behind the boat.
Third & fourth – A coule more 21″ plus saugers.
Fifth picture – Art Green with a paddletail pike.
You’ve had a great season Joel, thanks for all of the outstanding reports!
Now that everythings getting locked in you’ll have to try and make it over for some slabs through the ice.
Yet another terrific reprt Joel! Busting ice has got to mean you’ve got a lot of water to yourself!
Ballweg’s the Sauger King! Heck of a way to end a great season.
I would love to do that!
Sounds like a great way to spend a day this winter.
Thanks John & James.
We might not be quite done just yet though. Currently waiting to see what kind of weather we get over the next couple of days here. I’ve got family in town from all over the country for Thanksgiving Day and another niece is getting married this coming Saturday. Couple of brothers and a nephew are all hoping to get out yet this year.
Have to see what card mother nature deals us.
Another good outing Joel.
I had planned to be out there on Sunday but messed up my back on Saturday and had to stay on the couch Sunday.
I am hoping to get out on Friday if my back comes around. I’m still pretty much out of commission. If Lk. WI is locked up, I’ll head for the dells I guess.
mendoataeye – glad your back is getting better.
If the lake doesn’t open up, we may be going up to the Dells also!
Some darned nice fish there Bud! You are sure giving Dustin a run for the Sauger King title!
I am heading down to Pool 4 tomorrow to try to get on some myself!
Great report Joel,
Breaking ice with the boat to go fishing I remember the days when I did that. Just think this fishery is only 1 hour north of me and I don’t take advantage.
I guess we all have are favorite waters and mine is Lake Koshkonong. But when I am ready to explore a little farther north I might need a little advice where to launch and start fishing.
Thanks for all the reports and pic’s this year.
Joel you and your family have a safe and wonderful holiday
Dustin?
Just goes to show ya how tough those Lund boats are! You are MR. Sauger now Joe!
Sauger king, huh….just what I need, another title.
I’ve certainly been called a lot worse. Just the same, it would be okay with me if that one didn’t stick.
Jeff, I would be happy to share some things that work for me if you ever do decide to venture up here to Lake Wisconsin.
It really is a very good fishery.
Congrats Joel on another successful outing!
You certainly have had a great year guiding on Lake WI and the reports you have posted have been top notch! 
Thanks for all the information! 