It looks like Mother Nature just doesn’t want to let spring get here. Recent heavy snowfalls combined with record low temperatures have really set the fishing back. A lot of lakes in Central and Northern Wisconsin still have over 2 feet of good ice. Now this doesn’t mean that guys aren’t finding and getting out on open water, but if this weather pattern continues we will have fishable ice throughout the rest of April if not well into May.
Typically at this time of the year we are spending a fair amount of time on the river system targeting walleyes. But with the weather conditions the way they have been the numbers of anglers getting out is low. The guys that are braving the conditions are actually doing well, but the fish are not where they would typically be at this time of the year. A lot of the fish we have been finding this past week have been in very deep water ranging from 15 to 20 feet deep, even deeper in some instances. A slow steady dragging (not hopping) of your bait across the bottom has been the best tactic for catching these lethargic walleyes. We have been running three-way rigs and jigs tipped with fathead minnows for bait with orange and chartreuse being the best colors.
A few guys are still getting out ice fishing and the action has been very good. Crappies and bluegills have been the primary targeted species but a few guys are catching some nice perch too. With this recent snowfall, conditions on the lakes has gotten a little rough. We have areas with some deeper drifted snow along with pockets of slush which makes for tough travel conditions. If we could get a few days of warm weather access and travel on area lakes would get much better.
Turkey season is right around the corner and with all the snow on the ground finding birds will not be that tough. Right now the key to finding birds is to look for locations where they have easy access to food. If you see birds in one spot on a particular day rest assured that until the conditions change, they will be there again the next day.
On a final note, fishing licenses expired at the end of last month so as of the first of April you need to purchase any new license if you intend to fish. Be sure to check out the regulations that apply to the Great Lakes and boundary waters, as you need to carry your paper license with you at all times while fishing these waters.
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Phone: 715-693-5843
