Great weather this past week has led to some outstanding fishing in the Central Wisconsin area. Water temperatures are in the upper 50 degree range to low 60’s in some areas. A few guys are still out turkey hunting and having great success.
 

With the water temperatures heating up the crappie bite has really turned on. Most of the fish are in their traditional spawning locations like shallow water brush and bogs, along with downed timber and shoreline reeds. The best presentation for catching these shallow water crappies is a simple bobber with a hook or jig suspended below it.
 

I like to run minnows on the hook or jig for crappies as bait but my favorite is running a tiny Mini- Mite type of jig below my slip bobber. The fish seem to inhale it better and you get more hook-ups than misses like you can when running minnows. Also if you miss a fish, you can leave your bait right there as the crappies aren’t going to steal your bait.
 

The walleye bite has been steady, with good action during low light periods. We have been targeting shallow water locations in 3 to 6 feet of water with wood and some weeds. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows are working the best but we are also catching some of the larger walleyes on crankbaits.
 

In addition to the crappies and walleyes we are catching some really nice smallmouth bass. Most of the bass are holding around rocky shorelines in 2 to 8 feet of water. Jigs tipped with beaver tails are working and so are crankbaits for catching the majority of our bass for us.
 

One interesting thing that I have been seeing this spring is the abundance of muskies. So far we have caught 8 incidental muskies while targeting other species. Normally we see a couple but this year has been crazy. If this is any indication to how the musky season is going to go, it looks like it is going to be a good one.
 

Have a great week,
 

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