Fishing on Lake Wisconsin is improving as the waters warm and the days get longer. Crappies are starting to show up in shallow water spawning areas although many of them have probably pulled back to slightly deeper water as a result of the most recent cold front. Warm, sunny weather will surely see them moving back up into the shallows fairly quickly this week.
Walleyes are also showing up in greater numbers each week as they continue to filter back into the lake after slowly making there way down river from spring spawning rigors.
Crappie & walleye fishing has improved but weekend weather patterns leave quite a bit to be desired. We had to battle chilly temperatures, rain and plenty of wind this past weekend once again. That made cashing in on spring crappies quite difficult. I found one shallow water spot in the early afternoon hours on Saturday that was holding some very nice male crappies but by 4:00pm, water temperatures had dropped two degrees and the bite shut right off as a result.
Trolling crank baits for walleyes finally started to produce on a more consistent basis this past weekend. It’s still not hot & heavy action but by staying persistent we were able to put some decent fish in the boat.
The large sturgeon was actually snagged in the back of the head right at the top of the gill plate. Darrin fought it for 45 minutes before I was finally able to grab her by the tail and lift her into the boat for a quit photo shoot. I thought for sure it was a big catfish due to the way she fought but was pleasantly surprised to see this big girl instead. Always fun to see a client win a hard fought battle with a big fish.
I didn’t spend a lot of time fishing for crappies but the word from friends and fellow Lake Wisconsin fishermen was that it was very good last week when the sun was out and temperatures climbed into the mid 60 degree range.
It sure would be nice to experience a little of that kind of weather on a weekend for a change. Seems like we are constantly battling wind on the weekends and usually with some rain mixed in. Nothing like a nice, rough ride across the open lake when she’s covered with white caps. One thing is for sure, no one in the boat is taking their rain gear off when we run from one spot to the next!
1st pic – some male crappies to be released in the hot grease!
2nd pic – Nicole with a 22″ walleye caught on a crankbait.
3rd pic – Doug Kuiper holds up a crappie.
Good to see you back doing what it is you do best Joel….putting big smiles on the faces in your boat in spite of what mother nature is throwing your way
Nice report Joel. Glad to see things are starting to turn around with the walleyes.
Nice job Joel! I was out chasing those walleyes Saturday and they did not want to play and games with me! I did catch a 34 inch Pike with, get this, TEETH MARKS in it! I would have loved to see how that took place!
Nice report Joel, some great looking fish!
Please excuse my ignorance if this is a dumb question, but are sturgeon a common species in Lake Wisconsin?
Nice fish and report Joel!!
I think the last sampling data I saw estimated something like 1350 sturgeon over 50 inches, but I could have my numbers messed up. They are pretty common though.
Staying persistent pays! Great report Joel.
Great Report Joel !!
Excellent Slabs !!!
Big Sturgeon, nice Walleyes, and some eater Crappies. Nice!
Thanks guys!
I agree with John….they are fairly common. I don’t fish for them but we do see them caught on occasion by other fishermen. Especially by guys jigging for walleyes in the early spring.
It’s definitely been much tougher getting the fish to co-operate this spring. Hopefully that is turning around for us finally.
Maybe, with a little luck this coming Saturday, you’ll get to see the fish that put those teeth marks on that pike up close. If so, I definitely want to see those pictures!
Way to go Joel!
Great report Joel