It’s a rainy day here in Central Wisconsin as I write this but that’s good news for the fishermen in the central Wisconsin area. With cooler temperatures forecasted and substantial rainfall, water temperatures will drop considerably over the next few days and the action should really pick up. This past week water temperatures had again shot up into the upper 70’s making for less than favorable conditions for targeting many species of fish especially the musky. With that said musky anglers that have been waiting for a cool-down will get theirs prayers answered and they will be able to get back out on local waters in the very near future.
 

A common misconception about musky fishing or fishing in general is that with a cold front pushing through the fishing will shut down. On the contrary when you have had a long extended period of really warm or very hot weather during the summer months like we have been experiencing, a severe cold snap or cold front like the one we have pushing through our area right now will do just the opposite.
 

This type of cold front will actually jump-start the fish, especially the muskies driving them into a feeding frenzy. Couple this with the full moon phase that we are going through right now and this weekend could be very, very good for musky fishing.
 

Despite the recent warm weather fishing in the central Wisconsin area has actually been very good for walleyes and crappies. We have been having success by drift fishing along deep channel edges in 12 to 16 feet of water for both species. The only difference is that with the crappies we are running slip bobbers set at various depths to pick up suspended fish. With the walleyes we are casting 1/8th ounce jigs tipped with fathead minnows and letting them sink to the bottom. Once the jig settles on the bottom we are working it back to the boat in an upwards jigging motion keeping the bait moving across the bottom as we retrieve it all the way back to the boat.
 

Out bear baiting is going very well and we are looking forward to our hunters having a great season. A lot of the activity is in close proximity to local food sources but a little treat of some sweet goodies will stop them along the way to their major food source. And with only about 3 weeks left before season starts we are going to start fine tuning our locations in preparation of our upcoming hunts.
 

Have a great week,
 

Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Phone: 715-693-5843