Thursday, May 14, 2009

Fishing report 5-14-09

Well gang, it looks like spring is here, too bad its the middle of May.

The next couple days look like they'll have some unstable weather in store, but that shouldn't affect the fishing too much.

Conditions: Water levels are very high throughout the area. Some lakes are day to day with slow-no wake restrictions, so make sure you check the board when you launch.

Musky fishing has been downright unbelievable this spring. Not only a large number of fish, but the size and quality of the fish being caught is nothing short of epic. The main reason for the high success rate is the cooler weather which has kept fish both active and shallow. Look for active fish in shallow weedy areas, especially the flat areas of coves and bays. A variety of lures will catch these fish, but a rule of thumb is to go a little smaller than you might otherwise. Some nice fish are coming on swimbaits, bucktails and shad style baits (lipless crankbaits or shallow divers). Perch, White and Black and orange have all been the hot colors on Okauchee and Pewaukee with greens and firetiger producing on Fowler, Oconomowoc and Lac Labelle.

Northern Pike fishing is steady. With so many musky roaming the shallow flats, most of the pike appear to have pulled out to the first breakline. If you're targeting pike, try to find weed growth in 8-15 feet of water and then fish the deep edges of those weeds with suckers or shiners, or cast spinnerbaits or wide-wobbling crankbaits. Moose, Kessus, Fowler, Lower Nehmabin, Lower Genessee, Nagawicka, Golden and Okauchee lakes have had steady pike action.

Walleye fishing has also been steady, but a mayfly hatch is imminent and that will probably shut them down for a bit. Trolling with bottom bouncers and live bait rigs is producing most days, but on the very sunny/high pressure days jigging or rigging the weededges has also been productive. Look for fish to be in 6-12 feet of water before pulling out deep. You might be surprised how shallow they are. Pine, Lac Labelle, and Lake Koshkonong have all been active.

Bass fishing is really good right now. Most of the fish are moving into the shallow water to feed and spawn. You'll likely see nests in the very shallow water. Pier fishing is really turning on as the bass use the docks for overhead cover, but also look for fish in the shallow weeds or around fallen timber or stumps. Just about any plastics will catch them right now, but dial in with wacky rigs, jigworms, jig and chunk trailers or plastic lizards. Texas or florida rigged plastics flipped around pier posts will produce most days, but remember to continue to fish slow as water temps are below average for this time of year. As for lakes, just about any will give up fish right now, but Okauchee, Nagawicka, Pine and Moose have all been very good lately.

Crappie are spawning on many area lakes. Look for them around reeds, weed clumps or shallow wood. Slow, quiet approaches with minnows or plastics tipped with waxworms can really produce right now. Golden, Nagawicka, Okauchee, Pine, Ashippunn, and Lower Nehmabin have been producing.

Good Luck!
CT

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