Been on the phone with some people today, I thought I'd pass along some information on some hot bites right now.
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Northern Pike fishing has been incredible since after the heavy rains. It took a little bit to get going this season but it has been a very productive year for pike. Two lakes have absolutely hot pike bites going right now. Moose and Okauchee. You can fish them two ways. Target action from smaller fish in the shallow weeds or go out deep and go for a big one. Both methods are producing right now.
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Walleye: Its mid summer and that means the trolling bite is on. Nagawicka has been giving up some keepers while Pine and Oconomowoc are giving up less, but larger fish. Long line trolling with livebait, chubs suckers or nightcrawlers on a spinner harness has been the key this summer. Here's a tip, the fish are in deeper water this year than in previous years.
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Panfish: Rock Lake, Golden Lake, The Phantom Lakes and the Madison chain are all giving up quality gills right now. The pattern seems to be to fish the ends of deep water points later in the day, but especially the hour just before and just after sunset. Obviously this pattern will work on most of our area lakes this time of year, but it has been especially hot on the smaller lakes.
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Good Luck Out There,
CT
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Fishing Update 7-29-08
First off, the Pewaukee Lake Slow No Wake restriction has been lifted. Expect the boat traffic to get crazy out there.
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Fishing remains largely in a summer pattern. Our weather has been relatively stable, and the fish are sticking to their feeding and activity levels.
One thing alot of anglers are discussing right now is the size of the strike zone. Bass have been biting, but the bluebird skies and bright sun have pushed the fish into tight cover.
There's an answer for this, fish slow and methodically. Make multiple casts to the same target. If fishing weeds, make sure to work your jig or texas rig through all the openings. If fishing piers, get your bait up and under the docks, boatlifts and other over hanging cover. When fishing slop, hit the holes and let your bait drop through. Lastly, consider fishing deeper. There's always a decent shallow bite to be had on our area lakes, but the deeper bits is less effected by the bright sun.
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Panfish are schooling over deeper water> look for them to suspend out/off weedlines the next couple weeks. The ends of points will hold fish just before/just after dark and you can make some incredible catches.
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Walleye fishing has moved to deeper water. Look for them in 18-25 feet thus week. Deeper standing weeds (rather than just sandgrass) has been holding fish.
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Northern continue what has been an epic season for them. Shallow fish can be taken around weedclumps on spuinners and buzzbaits, but the bigger fish continue to be caught on slip-sinker rigs tipped with larger live bait fished along the deeper breaks.
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Musky fishing has been slow but steady the last few weeks. There's been an active topwater bite especially in the low-light morning hours. Walk the dog style baits have been generating some strikes as have propbaits.
Good luck out there.
CT
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--------
Fishing remains largely in a summer pattern. Our weather has been relatively stable, and the fish are sticking to their feeding and activity levels.
One thing alot of anglers are discussing right now is the size of the strike zone. Bass have been biting, but the bluebird skies and bright sun have pushed the fish into tight cover.
There's an answer for this, fish slow and methodically. Make multiple casts to the same target. If fishing weeds, make sure to work your jig or texas rig through all the openings. If fishing piers, get your bait up and under the docks, boatlifts and other over hanging cover. When fishing slop, hit the holes and let your bait drop through. Lastly, consider fishing deeper. There's always a decent shallow bite to be had on our area lakes, but the deeper bits is less effected by the bright sun.
--------
Panfish are schooling over deeper water> look for them to suspend out/off weedlines the next couple weeks. The ends of points will hold fish just before/just after dark and you can make some incredible catches.
-------
Walleye fishing has moved to deeper water. Look for them in 18-25 feet thus week. Deeper standing weeds (rather than just sandgrass) has been holding fish.
-------
Northern continue what has been an epic season for them. Shallow fish can be taken around weedclumps on spuinners and buzzbaits, but the bigger fish continue to be caught on slip-sinker rigs tipped with larger live bait fished along the deeper breaks.
-------
Musky fishing has been slow but steady the last few weeks. There's been an active topwater bite especially in the low-light morning hours. Walk the dog style baits have been generating some strikes as have propbaits.
Good luck out there.
CT
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Saturday, July 26, 2008
Just a reminder...
...the Okauchee Lake Tie-up is this afternoon. You may want to fish one of the other lakes tonight.
CT
CT
Friday, July 25, 2008
Fishing Report 7-25-08
Before we get to the fishing report, a couple of clerical things for your attention.
First, to all of you who emailed me at the chris @ muskymikesbaitshop . com adress, I apologize for not returning your inquiries sooner. I had a problem with the setup of the account that was preventing me from getting incoming mail. The problem is now resolved.
Next, Just a reminder about Big Bass League on Tuesday Nights. We are getting incredible turnouts for a weeknight tournament. Come join us for the last weeks of the season.
Finally, Dock of the Bay will be running a bass tournament on August 16. You can get information at the bar or we have some flyers at the shop.
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Summer patterns are what's ahppening on the lakes right now.
Panfish have moved to deep water for the most part. They can be a little tricky to find, but if you can get on some, you won't believe the size and quantity of panfish you can pull out of deeper water. My best suggestion for you is to drive slowly just off the weedlines and the deep edges of points with your electronics on. Panfish typically school up over 18-28 feet of water about 6-12 feet down. They'll look like a cloud on your graph. Use slip bobbers or tightline vertically with leeches, panfish plumpers or pieces of nightcrawler to target these fish on a drift.
Largemouth Bass are running three of their usual summer patterns. On sunny, warmer days the piers and the slop are producing. Wacky worms, tubes and shakey heads are producing around the piers, while rats, scum frogs, strike king or zoom frogs are pulling them out of the slop. Deeper fish have schooled up on the weedlines and the end of points. Texas rigs, drop shots and swim baits are catching these fish. The fish on the weed flats are being taken on topwater, especially early in the evening as the sun sets. Buzzbaits, poppers and spooks are all catching fish.
Smallmouth bass have been a little harder to come by this season, but that's about to change. The crayfish will begin to molt on our area lakes, and the smallies feast when this occurs. Look for the fish that have been holding deeper to move to shallow rocky areas in the next two weeks. Skirted grubs, tubes and jigs with trailers can't be beat. Also consider using crawfish colored crankbaits (lipless or shallow divers) as search baits to find schools of fish. Brown and orange will be the best color combo for the next little bit.
Walleye fishing is slow but steady. Fish are using weeds in 18-22 feet on most lakes. Jigs tipped with live bait or lindy rigs are catching fish, but the better fish are coming at night by anglers trolling with stickbaits, shad raps or bottom bouncers.
Northern pike fishing has been great this entire year, and the bite continues. Look for them on the weedflats and target larger fish with live bait along the deep weedlines. Lots of smaller pike can be caught throwing spinner or buzzbaits around clumps of shallow weeds, while the bigger fish are coming on shiners or suckers on slip sinker rigged trolled very slowly on the outside edges.
Musky fishing has been tied to the weather recently. The cloudy days are producing, the hot sunny days have been slower. Most fish are being caught off deep structure or while trolling. A few are being caught on topwaters near the deep weed edges on the larger flats. Crankbaits are producing the trolling fish, jerkbaits and soft plastics are catching the casting fish. Walk the dog and prop baits have been the better topwater options lately.
First, to all of you who emailed me at the chris @ muskymikesbaitshop . com adress, I apologize for not returning your inquiries sooner. I had a problem with the setup of the account that was preventing me from getting incoming mail. The problem is now resolved.
Next, Just a reminder about Big Bass League on Tuesday Nights. We are getting incredible turnouts for a weeknight tournament. Come join us for the last weeks of the season.
Finally, Dock of the Bay will be running a bass tournament on August 16. You can get information at the bar or we have some flyers at the shop.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summer patterns are what's ahppening on the lakes right now.
Panfish have moved to deep water for the most part. They can be a little tricky to find, but if you can get on some, you won't believe the size and quantity of panfish you can pull out of deeper water. My best suggestion for you is to drive slowly just off the weedlines and the deep edges of points with your electronics on. Panfish typically school up over 18-28 feet of water about 6-12 feet down. They'll look like a cloud on your graph. Use slip bobbers or tightline vertically with leeches, panfish plumpers or pieces of nightcrawler to target these fish on a drift.
Largemouth Bass are running three of their usual summer patterns. On sunny, warmer days the piers and the slop are producing. Wacky worms, tubes and shakey heads are producing around the piers, while rats, scum frogs, strike king or zoom frogs are pulling them out of the slop. Deeper fish have schooled up on the weedlines and the end of points. Texas rigs, drop shots and swim baits are catching these fish. The fish on the weed flats are being taken on topwater, especially early in the evening as the sun sets. Buzzbaits, poppers and spooks are all catching fish.
Smallmouth bass have been a little harder to come by this season, but that's about to change. The crayfish will begin to molt on our area lakes, and the smallies feast when this occurs. Look for the fish that have been holding deeper to move to shallow rocky areas in the next two weeks. Skirted grubs, tubes and jigs with trailers can't be beat. Also consider using crawfish colored crankbaits (lipless or shallow divers) as search baits to find schools of fish. Brown and orange will be the best color combo for the next little bit.
Walleye fishing is slow but steady. Fish are using weeds in 18-22 feet on most lakes. Jigs tipped with live bait or lindy rigs are catching fish, but the better fish are coming at night by anglers trolling with stickbaits, shad raps or bottom bouncers.
Northern pike fishing has been great this entire year, and the bite continues. Look for them on the weedflats and target larger fish with live bait along the deep weedlines. Lots of smaller pike can be caught throwing spinner or buzzbaits around clumps of shallow weeds, while the bigger fish are coming on shiners or suckers on slip sinker rigged trolled very slowly on the outside edges.
Musky fishing has been tied to the weather recently. The cloudy days are producing, the hot sunny days have been slower. Most fish are being caught off deep structure or while trolling. A few are being caught on topwaters near the deep weed edges on the larger flats. Crankbaits are producing the trolling fish, jerkbaits and soft plastics are catching the casting fish. Walk the dog and prop baits have been the better topwater options lately.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Milwaukee Magazine
Check out this month's Milwaukee Magazine, there's a short piece on the shop and the guide service.
Cheers
CT
Edit: Here's the link
www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?newMessageID=21845
Cheers
CT
Edit: Here's the link
www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentIssue/full_feature_story.asp?newMessageID=21845
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Summertime, Summertime!
Don't get the hot weather blues, just plan ahead when fishing.
Consistent fishing will occur for the next few weeks, but being ready to pick up and move becomes more important.
Although the photocycle is actually getting shorter now, the sun is very direct this time of year. Fish in the shallows will feed actively in the morning and evening, and be more neutral during the day.
When bass fishing, start with topwaters, spinnerbaits or buzz baits over weedflats early. Then as the sun gets up, you have two choices, move out deep and concentrate on weedlines and points, or move in tight to overhanging cover in the shallow areas.
There is a belief that shallow water won't hold big fish this time of year. It is a myth, pure and simple. There are nice fish to be caught out the shallow water, but the get way up underneath the piers or deep into the slop where there is shade and usually some food nearby.
Skipping piers can be productive all day long this time of year. I see two things that people do almost universally wrong when skipping piers. First (and I'm guilty of this myself) they fish way too fast. Really fishing piers requires several casts to different parts of the piers, boatlifts and pontoon boats in the water. piers that hang over slighty deeper water are prime time and should be hit with mutliple casts from various angles.
The second thing I see people do when they are fishing piers is fail to pay attention to the shadows. When casting to a pier, look at the angle of the sun and see where the darkest part of the shade is, that's ther area most likely to hold fish. If you have forgotten your basic high school science lessons, here's a reminder, as the sun moves, so does the shade a pier/boatlift or pontoon boat casts. The fish will adjust to these changes throughout the day, but frequently anglers won't.
Good Luck Out There,
CT
PS, I'll get a current fishing report up later this week. Check in at the shop in the meantime.
Consistent fishing will occur for the next few weeks, but being ready to pick up and move becomes more important.
Although the photocycle is actually getting shorter now, the sun is very direct this time of year. Fish in the shallows will feed actively in the morning and evening, and be more neutral during the day.
When bass fishing, start with topwaters, spinnerbaits or buzz baits over weedflats early. Then as the sun gets up, you have two choices, move out deep and concentrate on weedlines and points, or move in tight to overhanging cover in the shallow areas.
There is a belief that shallow water won't hold big fish this time of year. It is a myth, pure and simple. There are nice fish to be caught out the shallow water, but the get way up underneath the piers or deep into the slop where there is shade and usually some food nearby.
Skipping piers can be productive all day long this time of year. I see two things that people do almost universally wrong when skipping piers. First (and I'm guilty of this myself) they fish way too fast. Really fishing piers requires several casts to different parts of the piers, boatlifts and pontoon boats in the water. piers that hang over slighty deeper water are prime time and should be hit with mutliple casts from various angles.
The second thing I see people do when they are fishing piers is fail to pay attention to the shadows. When casting to a pier, look at the angle of the sun and see where the darkest part of the shade is, that's ther area most likely to hold fish. If you have forgotten your basic high school science lessons, here's a reminder, as the sun moves, so does the shade a pier/boatlift or pontoon boat casts. The fish will adjust to these changes throughout the day, but frequently anglers won't.
Good Luck Out There,
CT
PS, I'll get a current fishing report up later this week. Check in at the shop in the meantime.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Weekend Update
Well gang,
Another week has come and gone. There's not much new on the fishing front. Fish continue to bite along their summer patterns.
Best bites will be earlier and later in the day with the long photocycle right now.
Fish flats and points early, then move to weedlines or piers or slop as the sun gets higher.
The pike bite has been awesome, and some nice muskies have been caught from deeper water.
Bass are along weedlines, in the slop and under the piers. Look for them to move to rock bars for the crayfish molt in the next 10-15 days.
Good Luck,
CT
PS I'll have more when I'm back in town early next week. In the meantime, stop in the shop for the latest information.
Another week has come and gone. There's not much new on the fishing front. Fish continue to bite along their summer patterns.
Best bites will be earlier and later in the day with the long photocycle right now.
Fish flats and points early, then move to weedlines or piers or slop as the sun gets higher.
The pike bite has been awesome, and some nice muskies have been caught from deeper water.
Bass are along weedlines, in the slop and under the piers. Look for them to move to rock bars for the crayfish molt in the next 10-15 days.
Good Luck,
CT
PS I'll have more when I'm back in town early next week. In the meantime, stop in the shop for the latest information.
Monday, July 7, 2008
It is Summertime
...at last.
Panfish are largely done with the spawn, but a few bluegills remain in nesting areas. Look for the better fish to start schooling in deeper water along the weedlines over the next couple weeks.
LM Bass: Topwaters are working, as is fishing piers. Deeper fish are relating to the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water.
SM Bass: Fishing has been good early and later in the day, a little slower when the sun is up high. Concentrate on the ends of rockbars and in weeds adjacent to shallow rocky structure. Cranks and tubes are catching fish.
Walleye: Steady bites, especially in the evening on live bait. Weedlines and deeper flats with sandgrass are holding the most fish.
Northern: Shallow bite with smaller fish is on fire. Spinner and buzzbaits are catching lots of undersize fish in 5-10 feet, especially around pond-grass and scattered patches of coontail or milfoil.
Musky: Shallow fish using rockbars to feed on juvenile perch on cloudy days, but the consistent fishing has been in much deeper water. Look for fish around the ends of deeper points, humps or bars, or suspended in as deep as 60 feet of water.
Good Luck
CT
Panfish are largely done with the spawn, but a few bluegills remain in nesting areas. Look for the better fish to start schooling in deeper water along the weedlines over the next couple weeks.
LM Bass: Topwaters are working, as is fishing piers. Deeper fish are relating to the weedlines in 10-15 feet of water.
SM Bass: Fishing has been good early and later in the day, a little slower when the sun is up high. Concentrate on the ends of rockbars and in weeds adjacent to shallow rocky structure. Cranks and tubes are catching fish.
Walleye: Steady bites, especially in the evening on live bait. Weedlines and deeper flats with sandgrass are holding the most fish.
Northern: Shallow bite with smaller fish is on fire. Spinner and buzzbaits are catching lots of undersize fish in 5-10 feet, especially around pond-grass and scattered patches of coontail or milfoil.
Musky: Shallow fish using rockbars to feed on juvenile perch on cloudy days, but the consistent fishing has been in much deeper water. Look for fish around the ends of deeper points, humps or bars, or suspended in as deep as 60 feet of water.
Good Luck
CT
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Holiday Weekend Fishing
Well gang, with the middle of summer already upon us, it looks like we are finally going to see some summer patterns develop.
Panfish are still spawning on many areas lakes. Bluegills can be found in shallow water areas where there is sand or gravel, but bigger gills can be caught of spawning areas in as deep as 18 feet of water. Meanwhile, crappies are relating to weed edges between 8-12 feet. For gills, leeches, panfish plumpers, waxies or redworms are all good options, while crappie will be taken more frequently on small or alrge fateheads, or on hair jigs.
Largemouth bass are relating to the heavy weed growth in 8-15 feet of water. These fish can be taken on swimbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, texas rigged worms, nightcralwers or small suckers fished just along the outside edge of the weedbeds. Skipping piers is producing a few fish as well. Wacky Worms, Shakey heads and tubes are all producing. If you're an early riser, topwater poppers, spooks and buzzbaits are catching some nice fish off the weedflats in 5-12 feet right now, but only consistently at first light.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been spotty, but there are lots of fish using rocky points and bars both early and later in the day. Skirted grubs, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads and small suckers are catching some consistent bags of fish.
Walleye fishing is picking back up after the late lake fly hatch. Fish are being caught along shallow inside and outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass. Vertically jigging has been better during the day, while throwing cranks and minnow baits has been producing early and late. Leeches have been on fire for numbers, suckers have been producing the larger fish.
Pike fishing has been red hot this entire season, but especially lately. Lots of smaller pike are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small gills and juvenile perch. Spinners baits, small bucktails or buzzbaits will produce when fished tight to weedclumps. Looking for something bigger? Move out to the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers on a slip sinker rig.
Musky fishing is steady. Some anglers have been catching suspended fish out over deeper water pulling crankbaits. Depthraiders, ernies and bagley's have been the hot baits this year. Some fish are also being taken by targeting points along the deepedges of the weedline by fisherman casting with bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits and swimbaits.
Good Luck, and stay safe.
CT
Panfish are still spawning on many areas lakes. Bluegills can be found in shallow water areas where there is sand or gravel, but bigger gills can be caught of spawning areas in as deep as 18 feet of water. Meanwhile, crappies are relating to weed edges between 8-12 feet. For gills, leeches, panfish plumpers, waxies or redworms are all good options, while crappie will be taken more frequently on small or alrge fateheads, or on hair jigs.
Largemouth bass are relating to the heavy weed growth in 8-15 feet of water. These fish can be taken on swimbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, texas rigged worms, nightcralwers or small suckers fished just along the outside edge of the weedbeds. Skipping piers is producing a few fish as well. Wacky Worms, Shakey heads and tubes are all producing. If you're an early riser, topwater poppers, spooks and buzzbaits are catching some nice fish off the weedflats in 5-12 feet right now, but only consistently at first light.
Smallmouth bass fishing has been spotty, but there are lots of fish using rocky points and bars both early and later in the day. Skirted grubs, tubes, wacky worms, shakey heads and small suckers are catching some consistent bags of fish.
Walleye fishing is picking back up after the late lake fly hatch. Fish are being caught along shallow inside and outside weed edges or off deeper flats with sandgrass. Vertically jigging has been better during the day, while throwing cranks and minnow baits has been producing early and late. Leeches have been on fire for numbers, suckers have been producing the larger fish.
Pike fishing has been red hot this entire season, but especially lately. Lots of smaller pike are using the shallow weedflats to feed on small gills and juvenile perch. Spinners baits, small bucktails or buzzbaits will produce when fished tight to weedclumps. Looking for something bigger? Move out to the weedline in 12-18 feet of water and fish with suckers on a slip sinker rig.
Musky fishing is steady. Some anglers have been catching suspended fish out over deeper water pulling crankbaits. Depthraiders, ernies and bagley's have been the hot baits this year. Some fish are also being taken by targeting points along the deepedges of the weedline by fisherman casting with bucktails, gliders, jerkbaits and swimbaits.
Good Luck, and stay safe.
CT
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Okauche Boat Launch Expansion Part II
From Jsonline:
Boat launch debate roils
DNR’s $1 million plan for Okauchee Lake wasteful, critics say
By DARRYL ENRIQUEZ and LEE BERGQUIST
denriquez@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 30, 2008
Town of Oconomowoc - The state Department of Natural Resources wants to expand its boat launch on Okauchee Lake, but the local lake association and a well-known restaurant owner are questioning the project as a wasteful spending of $1 million.
The dispute underscores the problems the DNR encounters when it tries to improve public access to some of Wisconsin’s busiest waterways.
“I think it is excessive and totally unnecessary,” Hans Weissgerber Jr., owner of the popular Golden Mast Inn on Okauchee Lake, told members of the Natural Resources Board last week.
Weissgerber has had an agreement with the DNR since 1997 to provide public parking spaces at his restaurant for boaters.
He said he saw no compelling reason for the state to develop a boat ramp. “At this time, private enterprise is providing the service,” he told the board during its meeting Wednesday in Waupaca.
The Okauchee Lake Management District examined its legal options concerning access expansion during a closed session Monday at the Oconomowoc Town Hall but took no action.
“Does this make sense?” Tom Godar, secretary of the lake management district, said in a telephone interview. “This lake is already heavily used. The new launch seems to be unnecessary spending.
“I didn’t want to have a knee-jerk, not-in-my-backyard reaction, but with more boaters on the lake, it could be overfished or (have) more exotic species introduced.”
Godar said after Monday’s lake district meeting that the group wants more information from the DNR and may meet again Wednesday to take action.
Some Natural Resources Board members raised questions about the project as well. The board voted 4-3 to delay a decision until no later than July 10 to spend $660,000 to purchase 0.7 acres for the expansion. Another $340,000 would be spent improving the site, DNR officials say.
The land, with 90 feet of lake frontage, is owned by Gerald Kalweit of W354-N5098 Road T. An option to purchase with Kalweit expires July 29.
The property is next to the DNR’s own heavily used boat launch. The agency wants to blend the two parcels into one large public access point for boaters. The agency also wants an accessible fishing pier for people with disabilities.
Richard Steffes, DNR real estate director, said the agency wants to expand boating access because the 17 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers on its site don’t meet requirements for public access to a lake the size of Okauchee. With the Kalweit site, 13 to 23 more parking spaces could be added.
State regulations on public access say that given the size of the lake, it should have 29 to 40 vehicle-trailer parking sites, including a space for a handicapped driver.
If approved, the DNR would develop the property in 2009 and 2010.
Okauchee is a 1,187-acre lake in north-central Waukesha County. It’s a popular destination for boaters and anglers throughout the year because of its excellent water quality and fishing. The DNR’s Road T boat launch is one of the busiest in southeast Wisconsin and is frequently used to capacity, particularly on weekends and holidays, the agency said.
Weissgerber charges $9 for the parking he provides boaters, and all parties agree that his arrangement with the DNR drives customers to his business, as well.
With the 17 stalls on Road T and the 12 at the Golden Mast, the DNR arrangement provides 29 public parking spaces for the lake.
Steffes said the agency is concerned that the agreement with Weissgerber is not a long-term solution to assure that minimal levels of public access to the lake are met.
Weissgerber’s relationship with the DNR has been rocky. He had to pay nearly $7,000 in forfeitures for modifications to the shoreline at the Golden Mast, including the installation of boat slips, a launch and a seawall.
He once testified in Waukesha County Circuit Court in his belief that the DNR has a vendetta against him.
At Wednesday’s meeting, board members were closely split over whether to move forward with the deal.
Board member Preston Cole of Milwaukee urged caution with the purchase. He wanted to give local residents more time to meet with the DNR and said it appeared that Weissgerber was meeting a public need.
But other board members were wary of residents’ motivations and alluded to the protracted battle between the DNR and landowners on North Lake in northern Waukesha County who opposed construction of a boat ramp.
“The history of buying public access on lakes in southeastern Wisconsin has been marked by opportunities lost,” board member John W. Welter of Eau Claire said.
Brandon Lorenz of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
Boat launch debate roils
DNR’s $1 million plan for Okauchee Lake wasteful, critics say
By DARRYL ENRIQUEZ and LEE BERGQUIST
denriquez@journalsentinel.com
Posted: June 30, 2008
Town of Oconomowoc - The state Department of Natural Resources wants to expand its boat launch on Okauchee Lake, but the local lake association and a well-known restaurant owner are questioning the project as a wasteful spending of $1 million.
The dispute underscores the problems the DNR encounters when it tries to improve public access to some of Wisconsin’s busiest waterways.
“I think it is excessive and totally unnecessary,” Hans Weissgerber Jr., owner of the popular Golden Mast Inn on Okauchee Lake, told members of the Natural Resources Board last week.
Weissgerber has had an agreement with the DNR since 1997 to provide public parking spaces at his restaurant for boaters.
He said he saw no compelling reason for the state to develop a boat ramp. “At this time, private enterprise is providing the service,” he told the board during its meeting Wednesday in Waupaca.
The Okauchee Lake Management District examined its legal options concerning access expansion during a closed session Monday at the Oconomowoc Town Hall but took no action.
“Does this make sense?” Tom Godar, secretary of the lake management district, said in a telephone interview. “This lake is already heavily used. The new launch seems to be unnecessary spending.
“I didn’t want to have a knee-jerk, not-in-my-backyard reaction, but with more boaters on the lake, it could be overfished or (have) more exotic species introduced.”
Godar said after Monday’s lake district meeting that the group wants more information from the DNR and may meet again Wednesday to take action.
Some Natural Resources Board members raised questions about the project as well. The board voted 4-3 to delay a decision until no later than July 10 to spend $660,000 to purchase 0.7 acres for the expansion. Another $340,000 would be spent improving the site, DNR officials say.
The land, with 90 feet of lake frontage, is owned by Gerald Kalweit of W354-N5098 Road T. An option to purchase with Kalweit expires July 29.
The property is next to the DNR’s own heavily used boat launch. The agency wants to blend the two parcels into one large public access point for boaters. The agency also wants an accessible fishing pier for people with disabilities.
Richard Steffes, DNR real estate director, said the agency wants to expand boating access because the 17 parking spaces for vehicles with trailers on its site don’t meet requirements for public access to a lake the size of Okauchee. With the Kalweit site, 13 to 23 more parking spaces could be added.
State regulations on public access say that given the size of the lake, it should have 29 to 40 vehicle-trailer parking sites, including a space for a handicapped driver.
If approved, the DNR would develop the property in 2009 and 2010.
Okauchee is a 1,187-acre lake in north-central Waukesha County. It’s a popular destination for boaters and anglers throughout the year because of its excellent water quality and fishing. The DNR’s Road T boat launch is one of the busiest in southeast Wisconsin and is frequently used to capacity, particularly on weekends and holidays, the agency said.
Weissgerber charges $9 for the parking he provides boaters, and all parties agree that his arrangement with the DNR drives customers to his business, as well.
With the 17 stalls on Road T and the 12 at the Golden Mast, the DNR arrangement provides 29 public parking spaces for the lake.
Steffes said the agency is concerned that the agreement with Weissgerber is not a long-term solution to assure that minimal levels of public access to the lake are met.
Weissgerber’s relationship with the DNR has been rocky. He had to pay nearly $7,000 in forfeitures for modifications to the shoreline at the Golden Mast, including the installation of boat slips, a launch and a seawall.
He once testified in Waukesha County Circuit Court in his belief that the DNR has a vendetta against him.
At Wednesday’s meeting, board members were closely split over whether to move forward with the deal.
Board member Preston Cole of Milwaukee urged caution with the purchase. He wanted to give local residents more time to meet with the DNR and said it appeared that Weissgerber was meeting a public need.
But other board members were wary of residents’ motivations and alluded to the protracted battle between the DNR and landowners on North Lake in northern Waukesha County who opposed construction of a boat ramp.
“The history of buying public access on lakes in southeastern Wisconsin has been marked by opportunities lost,” board member John W. Welter of Eau Claire said.
Brandon Lorenz of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report.
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