Times are changing and with the crazy weather patterns that we are seeing this spring it’s anyone’s guess to what we are going to receive over the next few weeks. Water temperatures have plummeted with the recent cold snap and created a frenzy among anglers looking for active fish. We had water temperatures that were at 45 degrees last week but now that’s long forgotten as the recent cold has sent them nose-diving to the mid 30 degree range. Turkey hunters are still anxiously awaiting the opener which is closing in, but heavy snowfall and strong winds could play an important factor in where everyone hunts.
 
With the water temperatures falling so drastically anglers have really had to step up their ability and really put some thought into where and how they are going to fish. Cold water disperses spawning walleyes and sends them fleeing back to pre-spawn locations. These may be deeper pools in a main river system or slack water areas off the main river channel. In a lake, cold fronts will sometimes push walleyes to deeper water offshore as well as scattering the school making it harder to consistently catch fish. To find and catch active fish in these conditions try downsizing your bait or lures and slow down your presentation. One other key to catching cold front fish is to have some patients. Walleyes tend to be more passive and lethargic during cold fronts but by giving each location a few extra minutes it may be the difference between coming home empty handed and coming home with fish for dinner.
 
We were out this past week and did well catching walleyes below dams on the Wisconsin River throwing #9 and #11 Rapalas in Black and Silver and Firetiger. Most of these fish were caught in the slack water areas during low light periods early and late in the day. We also caught some nice walleyes on the river during the mid-day hours fishing deeper water up to 22 feet deep. For the deeper fish we used ¼ ounce lead-head jigs tipped with fathead minnows. We also caught a few nice crappies and catfish while targeting the walleyes in the deep water as well.
 
Fishing the big water on Green Bay this past week we had our best luck with #6 Rippin Raps and 3/8th ounce jigs tipped with 4 inch split tail minnows. We had to cover a lot of water to find the fish but when we did we found most of our walleyes holding on the downwind side of a finger that broke into to deeper water. The biggest key to our success on Green Bay was not so much downsizing but presentation. We found specific colors worked better than others and a very slow presentation was needed to get these fish to strike.
 
Have a great week,
 
Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Phone: 715-693-5843