The past eight days of walleye fishing on Lake Wisconsin have been like none other that I have experienced anywhere on earth. Back in 2003 the new slot limit regulations on Lake Wisconsin took effect and now, not only are we seeing & enjoying the benefits of those limits but we are also just beginning to see the potential that Lake Wisconsins walleyes have always possessed.
Picture – Dan Kelly’s monster 30″ walleye. It was released and is still swimming in Lake Wisconsin.
Every single person that has stepped into my boat over the past eight days has broken there personal best walleye record at least once and all except one have broken it multiple times. (not counting me)
And although not every boat out there is putting the smack down on these big walleyes, I have seen at least two or three others that are putting some awfully big walleyes in there boat as well. Some are doing it using the oldest and simplest method around, a jig & fathead minnow. Another boat did very well on Saturday dragging jigs tipped with paddletails from B Fish N Tackle. We caught all our fish trolling crankbaits.
Pat Kelly holds up a 27-1/2″ walleye.
One guy who was a confirmed crappie fishing nut has now caught the walleye bug so bad that he can’t sleep and has been able to think about nothing else other than his next walleye fishing trip. (nope, not me. I’m always like that anyway. Just ask my wife)
Mark Webb shows off a nice 26 incher.
In a normal year, I would have been targeting crappies for the past two weeks. That bite just hasn’t materialized for me. Then again, I haven’t been spending much time chasing them either. Makes no sense at all to quit walleye fishing when its this good.
Its hard to know how long this bite will last. It may be over tomorrow or it might last another week. Its all new territory for most of us so we’re just trying to enjoy the ride while it last. And thats why I’m taking off work today so that Nancy and I can go chase big walleyes.
This one hit the 28-1/2″ mark on the tape.
Fantastic is right.
Way to put the kabosh to those big boys Joel. Happy customers or what? Congrats on guiding all of those pbs into your clients hands! Stay on em Joel
1st picture – Boogs “Half Tail” walleye went 30-1/2 inches.
2nd picture – Don Birkholz 29″ walleye.
3rd picture – Jack Eggers & Pat Kelly with a double. (23.5″ & 26″)
4th picture – Mark Webb holds up a 24-1/2 incher.
5th picture – Mark Webb with a 23 incher.
6th picture – Doug Kuiper with a 24″ walleye.
7th picture – Doug with a 23-1/2 incher.
8th picture – a 30″ BK special. (what the heck!)
That’s an awesome bunch of fish Joel. I think I better blow off some work tomorrow and get back out on the water.
Holy Wow Joel! Talk about a nice bunch of fish!
Congrats for helping those folks get their PB’s.
With walleye fishing like that, I would forget what a crappie even looked like!
Pete
Nice work Joel. I wish I could get out but I have important visitors here. The Waubesa crappies are usually going like mad here but it seems like everything is 2 weeks behind.
Fantastic is right Joel. Congrats!!!
Thanks guys!
The last two weeks sure have been a lot of fun.
Nancy, Kayla & I were out today. We put and even 20 walleyes & saugers in the boat. Our biggest today were a 24″ walleye & a 23-1/4″ sauger.
FYI – of the four walleyes caught over 28″ long, all except for one was released alive & well.
The other one went home with the client to decorate his wall.
beautiful fish!
Joel, you’ve got a pattern dialed in man, well done. A 23 1/4 inch sauger! That’s a tank. Was it a female and if so can you imagine that thing before the spawn!
Where exactly is Lake Wisconsin and how far is it from the Twin Cities?
Lake Wisconsin is about 30 minutes north of Madison, or 30 minutes south of Wisconsin Dells. It’s about a 3.5 hour drive from the cities.
You should hire Joel. Lake Wisconsin is loaded with boat hazards including stumps and shifting sand bars.
Micah – hire smire….I would much rather do a trip swap with you!
Nice Magicshow there Joel. BTW, the crappie bite is happening. Buddy has been emailing pics every day this week of crappies up to 13-1/2″ long from over there. He stumbled into them fishing green carp. Full of spawn so CPR is so important right now!
Great report, Joel!
Great job Joel and gang. You sure do have a good thing going over there on lake WI.
I’ve been watching guys catching crappies but just have not been able to tear myself away from chasing walleyes. No one around here has ever seen a walleye bite this good on Lake Wisconsin and when it comes down to a choice between missing the spring crappie bite or missing a super hot walleye bite, its a pretty easy choice for me.
I still gotta find some time to hook up with you yet Randy!
Very Nice report and fish Joel…if you stayed dialed in on them, let me know, I might just have to kidnap Bob, and the both of us will come hop in with you!?!?
Luke, you and Bob are always welcome in my boat. I’ll keep you all posted with regular reports right here on IDO.
Micah, as for that 23-1/4″ sauger, judging by its girth alone, I would have to say that was a female.
Nice catches and good news about the3 fishery, Joel. But you may be a bad influence on a few of us…now you got me and others thinking about skipping work tomorrow and chasing those eyes….hmmmmm…work or fish
(Maybe see ya out there).
Awesome job Joel at putting PB’s in the boat…dang, them are some pig eyes your on
