Despite rollercoaster spring weather many game fish should have completed spawning
Spring’s rollercoaster weather has been sending Wisconsin fish mixed signals, but it’s clear that the May 5 opening day of the regular inland fishing season should be another great time on the water, the state’s top fisheries official says.
“There’s a tradition to opening day that you just can’t beat, even though you can find great fishing at any time of the year in Wisconsin,” says Mike Staggs, Wisconsin’s fisheries director. “Opening day is as much about being with friends and families and their traditions as it is about catching fish. This year’s a good year to take someone fishing who’s never been, or who hasn’t been fishing for a long time.”
Staggs, who was introduced to fishing by his father and grandfather when he was two, now continues the tradition by taking family and friends out on the water, particularly waters near his home by Poynette.
More than 1.4 million people 16 and older are expected to buy fishing licenses this year in Wisconsin.
Anglers venturing out on opening day will find lots of fish, based on the fish population reports that biologists filed for individual waters in the 2007 Wisconsin Fishing Report.
Whether those fish bite depends a lot on weather conditions and water temperatures, but now that many game species have finished spawning, or will have, by the fishing opener, anglers are likely to find hungry fish ready to strike. Fish don’t feed much when they’re spawning – they’re paying attention to other biological needs, like the need to reproduce – and after that’s done, they’re ready to strap on the feedbag.
Here’s how field fisheries supervisors are seeing the season opener shape up in their regions:
Northeastern Wisconsin
For our region, the walleye spawning will be done by the opener. All the ice is out already from the lakes. Probably some of lakes to the north are peaking in walleye spawning right now. The fish are not going to be sitting up in the shallows in vulnerable areas but back to their normal habits and should be feeding readily. It’s an excellent walleye population in the Winnebago system -- good numbers of fish and good sizes. The Marinette area is also good for walleye around the spring opener. Fish the lower Menominee River or Green Bay on the west shore. Trout streams are going to be full of water, not overflowing but good water flows. We have excellent streams and a lot of public frontage on them. Great fishing opportunities there. Lake Michigan has a real good season for near-shore fisheries. It tends to slow down in May before picking up again in June. The perch fishery opens later in May in Green Bay. It should just be an excellent season – the entire season. – George Boronow, regional fisheries supervisor, Green Bay
Northern Wisconsin
Spring made an attempt to come early in the north but failed. We had ice off of some of the smaller lakes on April 1 (April Fool's prank). Then it got cold and they all froze over again. Fisheries crews in the north just began setting fyke nets for walleyes over the last few days (April 13). Some of the larger lakes still have plenty of ice in them. Still, this is now a more normal spring for this part of the state. It is likely that walleye will have completed spawning on all but a few of the largest, deepest lakes by the fishing opener. Timing should be good for a decent post-spawn bite at that time. If things progress as they are right now, water temperatures on the opener are likely to be fairly cold which will slow down the fishing for bass. Remember that if you do catch bass it is catch and release only at this time of year in the northern zone. If you can't find the walleyes, it is a good t that panfish, particularly crappies, will be found in the shallower, muddy bottomed bays, especially on the bigger waters. Then too, northern pike can often make your day as they are generally willing biters and we saw some fairly strong year classes across the region in the lakes that hold pike a number of years back. These fish are pretty good size right now and provide a good angling opportunity. - Steve Avelallemant, regional fisheries supervisor, Rhinelander
South Central Wisconsin
Musky, walleyes, and pike will be done spawning by the opener. Depending on what water temperatures do, anglers could find walleyes at night in the shallows, associated with the spawning areas, and mostly males. Females will be in deeper water. If you’re fishing for muskies, start off with smaller baits. Tendency is to go with big baits, but water temperatures are still cool for fish. Have a small crank bait or jerk bait you’re working. They will be over the top of emerging weeds so try and find new weed growth. Pike will be associated with new weeds. Bass will be looking for warm water temperatures. Panfish are already in shallow water, and even during the cold weather they were hitting pretty well for people in Madison. People ought to enjoy really good bluegill fishing. We’ve got strong populations. Trout anglers should look for cover on outside bends, deep holes or timber in the water. The weeds haven’t developed much so you’re looking for that cover. Crappies will be coming in. They will spawn early in the season, depending on water temp. – Scot Stewart, regional fisheries supervisor, Fitchburg
Southeastern Wisconsin
Water temperatures that had been in the upper 50s have slipped back to the upper 40s. For opening day anglers, this means walleyes on our deeper, cooler lakes like Big Cedar, Geneva, Pine and Delavan may still be spawning; something that does not happen very often this far south. Largemouth bass fishing will probably be pretty slow and confined to natural bait or slow-moving natural bait imitations like plastic worms. Look for the best bass fishing under any sunny skies even if it’s at high noon. Also, try any shallow bays and inlets on the north side of the lake where sunlight has the most warming penetration. Channels should be good for bass on some lakes. Don’t forget about stocked trout lakes. Old favorites like Lower Genesee, Lower Nashotah, Ottawa, Fowler, Waubesee and Beulah lakes will be stocked with full quotas and should provide excellent fishing for browns and rainbows. Northern pike will be well past spawning and should be very active in all our lakes. Cool water temperatures and lesser amounts of growing vegetation should make it easy for foraging pike to see just about any bait offering. I suspect a lot of northerns are going to be caught on opening day. Muskies may also still be spawning, which could inhibit fishing for them a bit. Small baits fished slowly might be the best for early season muskies in this area. Good luck and enjoy your day on the water! - Randy Schumacher, regional fish supervisor, Milwaukee
West Central Wisconsin
With warmer weather, fishing should start picking up. Northern pike have completed spawning and will be feeding heavily by the Opener. Walleye anglers should also enjoy success as walleyes are finished spawning and beginning to feed. Larger females will be located on or near shallow flats, while males are generally in the deeper water. Afternoon is usually the best as water temperatures rise. Panfish anglers should look for shallow bays out of the wind. There, they will find bluegill, crappie and perch waiting for a worm or minnow. Trout anglers could face tough conditions with extremely clear water making trout spooky. Anglers will have to use the stealth approach when stalking the wily brook and brown trout. However, a little rain and minor run-off will definitely improve angler’s chances of catching the big one. – Bob Hujik, fisheries supervisor, Eau Claire
Mississippi River
Fishing conditions are changing daily. The water level crested April 6. A steady recession of discharge through the dam has since dropped water levels about two-tenths of a foot per day. Within the last week, water temperatures have been on the rise. On April 16, the main channel was 47 degrees. With warmer weather predicted, main channel water temperatures in the low 50s are not far away. Backwater areas will quickly warm to the low 60s. A typical spring brings conditions that constantly challenge anglers -- and this spring has done just that. Recent reports have anglers catching good numbers of walleye below Lock and Dam 4, 5, 7, and 8. Many anglers are reporting that this spring has been the year to catch big walleye, with many 10-plus pound fish being caught. Spring can be a very productive time to catch walleye and sauger. Anglers are taking nice some nice fish trolling and hand lining in 12-18 ft of water along the main channel borders of the Mississippi River. Hot lures include bright colored minnow type crank baits with rattles, bounced along the bottom. Fishing for other species is also picking up. The first bass fishing tournament occurred recently with a top weight of more than 20 pounds for six smallmouths for a two-person team. The largest fish of the tournament was a smallmouth that tipped the scales at 5 pounds, 9 ounces. Decent shore fishing for bluegill, crappie and perch has also occurred. Fishing for panfish will only improve with a dropping water level and warmer water temperatures. – Ron Benjamin – fisheries supervisor, La Crosse
Season dates and regulations
The hook-and-line game fish season opens May 5 on inland waters for walleye, sauger, and northern pike statewide. The largemouth and smallmouth bass southern zone opens May 5, while the northern bass zone opens for catch and release only from May 5 through June 15. From June 16 to March 2, 2007, there’s a minimum length limit of 14 inches with a daily bag limit of five fish in total. The northern zone is the area north of highways 77, 64 and 29.
The musky season opens May 5 in the southern zone and May 26 in the northern zone, with Highway 10 the dividing line.
The seasons for rock, yellow and white bass, panfish, bullheads and rough fish, catfish, cisco and whitefish are open all year. Check the 2007-2008 Guide To Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations for special regulations listed by county, for regulations on the Great Lakes and boundary waters, and for tributary streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan.
The complete guide is available at DNR offices and license agents and can be found on DNR's Web site, http://dnr.wi.gov, then click on “fishing” and then “regulations.”
Fishing licenses
Wisconsin residents and nonresidents 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Residents born before Jan. 1, 1927 do not need a license, nor do people who exhibit proof they are in active service with the U.S. armed forces and are a resident on furlough or leave.
People can buy licenses: over the Internet through the Online Licensing Center; at any DNR Service Center; at automated license issuance system sales locations; or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).
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