Fishing Report 3-3-10

Well, its in between time, but that's good news, that means the fish are biting.

Area lakes still have between 4-16 inches of ice. The fish are starting to stage for late ice.

Pike are your best ice option right now, and this is the time to start thinking big. The fish will go on one more good binge run before moving into the shallow areas to spawn. Look for them adjacent to, or at the edges of spawning flats and marshes near the first drop off outside of these areas. Big shiners, larger deadbait or small suckers are the best bait. 6-12 feet of water is a good starting point.

Panfish will start to move shallow over the next few weeks, especially around sandy areas with sandgrass and wood. For now, continue to look for them to suspend over deeper water or around bottom structure in 12-25 feet of water.

Open water fishing is starting on the rivers. The rock river is still iced up, but the Wisconsin River in the Dells and the Fox River at Depere are open and walleye are being caught below the dams. Shore fishing is still limited at both areas by some floating ice, but the launches are open enough to get a boat into the water. Watch out for low flows and shallow water.

Ben's reporting some solid catches out in the Milwaukee Harbor as well. Check out his website: Here.

Stay Tuned,
CT