Monthly Archives: March 2013

Lake Wisconsin Fishing Report 3/11/13

Ice Fishing on Lake Wisconsin

Ice conditions on Lake Wisconsin have been good this winter for those few that ventured out. February gave up good numbers of big white bass on small blade baits and Jigging Rapalas and those same areas are now producing crappies.

We’ve been finding crappies fairly consistently over the past several weeks in 18-22 feet of water within a short distance off the break from the 13 foot flats. The best bite has consistently been late afternoon into the evening. The schools of crappies once located, tend to hang around for relatively long periods as long as a bait is down the hole to keep their attention. Two presentations have been effective depending on the day – keeping the baits just above the fish and slowly teasing them up and dead-sticking.

I’ve had the best luck with size 10 Northland Tackle Hexi-Flies in tiger beetle tipped with 2-3 spikes and also size 12 Lindy Glow Worms in techni-glow red tipped with plastic. Other colors will certainly produce as well. Note these are both horizontal presentations as that as had the most success. Minnows have taken some crappies on certain nights for some local anglers in on this action as well.

The Wisconsin River at the Dells below the Kilbourn dam has been open for weeks now with reports of lots of walleyes and saugers being caught and there is open water below the Prairie Du Sac dam as well. The rain opened up a landing on the Fox River at DePere and the Wolf River at Fremont should be open within the next couple weeks. If the weather does not get to cold, the Wisconsin River above Lake Wisconsin should be ice-free by the end of March as well. Panfish action in areas such as the grade, Okee Bay and Gallus Slough should all soon be turning on for March late ice action. With the recent rains, the warmer weather, increased current and runoff will all work to erode the ice rapidly so use caution.

Lake Wisconsin White Bass

It looks like 2013 will be a more typical spring walleye run with plenty of snow melt which is great news as the 2012 walleye spawn was largely a bust due to exceptionally warm weather last February and March and lack of flow. If you haven’t already, it’s time to go through your gear, re-spool your reels and get the boat ready.

Gary Sanders

Lake Wisconsin Walleyes, LLC

www.lakewisconsinwalleyes.com