Hey gang,
Sorry I haven't been johnny on the spot with the wintertime fishing reports, but thanks for emailing me to let me know you're reading this blog.
Conditions haven't changed radically over the past several weeks. On days with higher pressure, the fishing can be tough. The pike continue to bite, and while the numbers are down slightly, the size of the fish is still above average.
Keessus, Okauchee, Golden, Moose, and Nagawicka have been consistent producers, especially in the deeper protected bays. Any green weeds indicate a high percentage area. Most fish continue to be caught on a spinner leader with a red treble. The best bait has been shiners or suckers, but it often just depends on who you are asking.
The panfish bite has slowed down, but I think that has more to do with angler location than a drop off in the bite. By this point in the winter, the best panfish have moved out to suspend over deeper water. Crappie will tend to suspend high in the water column, bluegills lower. You may catch some off the bottom, but the solid parts of schools will be just over half way down. Drill a series of holes when you first set up, then go back with your electronics/flashers and see if you mark any suspended fish. If you do, set up and fish just above them, you won't believe some of the fish you catch. Where to look for them? Think summer structure: points, rockpiles, humps and dropoffs in 15-25 feet of water. The closer to the mainlake, the better.
Walleye fishing has been slow, but steady. Watch for the bite to pick to during the next moon phase. Look for fish in water 8-22 feet deep. Its quite a range, but spread your tip-ups out until you find fish, then concentrate on that area/depth.
Good Luck,
CT
PS. Ice fishing gear is 20% in February. Stock up for those Jamborees!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Updates on the way
Hey gang,
I've been tied up with school related activities the last two weeks, but theres some fresh content on the way, stay tuned.
CT
PS Big sale on ice fishing stuff in February. Details in our next update.
I've been tied up with school related activities the last two weeks, but theres some fresh content on the way, stay tuned.
CT
PS Big sale on ice fishing stuff in February. Details in our next update.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Fishing Report, 1-19-2009
The cold weather last week kept the number of people who were out down to a low number, but those that were out met with continued success. the good news about the cold weather is that the main-lake ice appears to be safe now.
Pike continue to bite aggressively. We are still getting alot of reports of pike 30 inches or better from area lakes. Don't ask me where those fish go in the summertime, (the answer is out deep) but for right now the pattern remains large shiners or small suckers on tip-ups with a spinner harness for a leader. Okauchee (Stumpy, Icehouse, Bay Five and the Crane's Nest,) Golden Lake, Nagawicka, Kessus and Fowler have all been conistent producers. Shallow water to mid-depth water near weeds continues to produce the hottest action.
The panfish bite has dropped off a bit. Its tough to make an accurate assessment of the conditions based on the limited reports we got from last week, but I think the reason is that anglers haven't moved with the fish. The smaller fish will stay in the bays where people have been catching them the last few weeks, but the larger fish tend to suspend over deeper water. This migration is probably occurring right now, and the people on the ice have not made the adjustment yet. With the warmer weather and the ice much more solid over deeper water, expect anglers to start to find schools of fish out deep. Here's my advice: look for them off the ends of the deeper mainlake points. Gills and crappies will both be suspended. Be ready to pickup and move if you don't find some active fish on your camera/flasher pretty quick.
Walleye bite continues on the walleye lakes. 6-10 or 12-18 feet seem to be the hot ranges for water depth. I'd look for them adjacent to current areas or springs. And Fish early and late in the day.
The Inner Harbor by the Milwaukee lakefront continues to produce some quality fish as well.
Good luck.
CT
PS. We've had a lot of requests for a list of fishing jamborees. We'll try to get one up for you this week.
Pike continue to bite aggressively. We are still getting alot of reports of pike 30 inches or better from area lakes. Don't ask me where those fish go in the summertime, (the answer is out deep) but for right now the pattern remains large shiners or small suckers on tip-ups with a spinner harness for a leader. Okauchee (Stumpy, Icehouse, Bay Five and the Crane's Nest,) Golden Lake, Nagawicka, Kessus and Fowler have all been conistent producers. Shallow water to mid-depth water near weeds continues to produce the hottest action.
The panfish bite has dropped off a bit. Its tough to make an accurate assessment of the conditions based on the limited reports we got from last week, but I think the reason is that anglers haven't moved with the fish. The smaller fish will stay in the bays where people have been catching them the last few weeks, but the larger fish tend to suspend over deeper water. This migration is probably occurring right now, and the people on the ice have not made the adjustment yet. With the warmer weather and the ice much more solid over deeper water, expect anglers to start to find schools of fish out deep. Here's my advice: look for them off the ends of the deeper mainlake points. Gills and crappies will both be suspended. Be ready to pickup and move if you don't find some active fish on your camera/flasher pretty quick.
Walleye bite continues on the walleye lakes. 6-10 or 12-18 feet seem to be the hot ranges for water depth. I'd look for them adjacent to current areas or springs. And Fish early and late in the day.
The Inner Harbor by the Milwaukee lakefront continues to produce some quality fish as well.
Good luck.
CT
PS. We've had a lot of requests for a list of fishing jamborees. We'll try to get one up for you this week.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Cold Weather Ahead
Well gang, there's a nasty bit of cold weather rolling through this week. If you're heading out, just remember to take precautions against the wind. If you've been sizing up a portable shelter, this might be the week to get one.
Conditions remained pretty steady this week, pike and panfish continue to bite, but anglers are reporting that some of the bigger fish are moving out of the shallow areas. This is not an uncommon migration at this point in the winter, as bluegills and crappies begin to suspend over deeper water. The good point about this next cold snap is that it will firm up the ice over deeper water letting you get at these schools of fish.
I'd still stick to the protected shallow areas this week, if only to get out of the worst of the wind, but when this weather has passed through, I'd move out to deeper water to find fish.
Good Luck
CT
Conditions remained pretty steady this week, pike and panfish continue to bite, but anglers are reporting that some of the bigger fish are moving out of the shallow areas. This is not an uncommon migration at this point in the winter, as bluegills and crappies begin to suspend over deeper water. The good point about this next cold snap is that it will firm up the ice over deeper water letting you get at these schools of fish.
I'd still stick to the protected shallow areas this week, if only to get out of the worst of the wind, but when this weather has passed through, I'd move out to deeper water to find fish.
Good Luck
CT
Friday, January 9, 2009
Milwaukee Harbor
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Tuesday Follow Up
Well gang, it appears my short post yesterday may have hit all the important points. Ice fishing conditions appear to have stabilized. Its not uncommon for this time of year.
Continue to look for a mixed bag of panfish in the shallow bays. Green weeds or wood will concentrate the fish. Bluegills will suspend lower in the water column than crappies. If you find fish, but the bite is slow, stick with it, the fish turn on and off during the day. Match your presentation to the activity level you find; ie, jig for active biters, use set rods for passive ones. Some of the smaller area lakes have been giving up some nice bags including middle and upper genessee, school section, forest and silver lakes.
Pike continues to be the best on-ice action. Lots of smaller fish are being reported, but a few nicer ones are still coming in. Large shiners on a spinner leader with a red treble hook continues to be the best tip-up set up. Stumpy, Icehouse and Bay Five are all still giving up pike on Okauchee, but also consider Moose, Garvin, Kessus, Golden or Fowler.
The walleye bite is tapering off on the Koshkonong as the fishing pressure is reaching its mid-winter peak there. I'd suggest staying closer to home and trying Lac Labelle or Fox Lake when chasing walleyes. If you are heading down to Koshkonong, the ice is in bad shape around many of the launches and you'll prefer the ATV to the truck for access. My best advice to those of you making the trip, head down while its still light out and fish during the overnight.
Be aware that some of the deeper water still has pretty thin ice. Reports of around two inches over deeper water filter in each day. Just be careful if over a main lake area or water near active current or springs.
Good Luck,
CT
Continue to look for a mixed bag of panfish in the shallow bays. Green weeds or wood will concentrate the fish. Bluegills will suspend lower in the water column than crappies. If you find fish, but the bite is slow, stick with it, the fish turn on and off during the day. Match your presentation to the activity level you find; ie, jig for active biters, use set rods for passive ones. Some of the smaller area lakes have been giving up some nice bags including middle and upper genessee, school section, forest and silver lakes.
Pike continues to be the best on-ice action. Lots of smaller fish are being reported, but a few nicer ones are still coming in. Large shiners on a spinner leader with a red treble hook continues to be the best tip-up set up. Stumpy, Icehouse and Bay Five are all still giving up pike on Okauchee, but also consider Moose, Garvin, Kessus, Golden or Fowler.
The walleye bite is tapering off on the Koshkonong as the fishing pressure is reaching its mid-winter peak there. I'd suggest staying closer to home and trying Lac Labelle or Fox Lake when chasing walleyes. If you are heading down to Koshkonong, the ice is in bad shape around many of the launches and you'll prefer the ATV to the truck for access. My best advice to those of you making the trip, head down while its still light out and fish during the overnight.
Be aware that some of the deeper water still has pretty thin ice. Reports of around two inches over deeper water filter in each day. Just be careful if over a main lake area or water near active current or springs.
Good Luck,
CT
Monday, January 5, 2009
Just a reminder...
....to be careful when on the ice.
From JSOnline.com:
Jan. 4, 2009 | Two men ice fishing on Tichigan Lake in Racine County today were rescued from the water after an ATV they were riding crashed through the ice, police said.
Neither man suffered life-threatening injuries, although one had symptoms of hypothermia, Bauer said.
The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. when the ATV broke through the ice about 250 feet from shore on the lake's east side in the Town of Waterford.
From JSOnline.com:
Jan. 4, 2009 | Two men ice fishing on Tichigan Lake in Racine County today were rescued from the water after an ATV they were riding crashed through the ice, police said.
Neither man suffered life-threatening injuries, although one had symptoms of hypothermia, Bauer said.
The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m. when the ATV broke through the ice about 250 feet from shore on the lake's east side in the Town of Waterford.
Monday Information Update 1-5-09
Good Morning,
Not much to report in the way of changes this week. Pike continue to be very active, and the panfish continue to bite during a couple of time periods a day.
Stick to proven patterns, and don't be afraid to get away from where the crowds are on the ice.
I'll have a more complete update posted later today or tonight after I've checked in with a few other people who were out over the weekend.
CT
Not much to report in the way of changes this week. Pike continue to be very active, and the panfish continue to bite during a couple of time periods a day.
Stick to proven patterns, and don't be afraid to get away from where the crowds are on the ice.
I'll have a more complete update posted later today or tonight after I've checked in with a few other people who were out over the weekend.
CT
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy New Year
The staff of Musky Mike's wishes you the best of luck in 2009!
(By the way, if you need a little "help" with your on the water luck in 2009, stop in for a chat.)
Cheers,
CT
(By the way, if you need a little "help" with your on the water luck in 2009, stop in for a chat.)
Cheers,
CT
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