ASHLAND AREA
As the ice begins to form always remember to use caution and be safe. We are still in between seasons right now and there is no safe ice. The cold temps may produce thin ice, but always think safe and call ahead for an updated report. Be safe and always use caution
Angler’s All, (715) 682-5754.
River Rock, (715) 682-3232.
CUMBERLAND AREA
The small lakes have about 2 to 3 inches of ice on them, and the bigger bodies of water were still open early last week – there hasn’t been any reports of fishing activity at this point. Deer hunting reports have been mixed, with some groups seeing a lot of deer and others indicating they’ve seen fewer deer than expected.
Indianhead Sport Shop, (715) 822-2164.
DOOR PENINSULA AND ALGOMA/KEWAUNEE AREA
The perch fishing has been phenomenal for the guys who have braved the cool temps and ventured out there. Sawyer Harbor, Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay were the best bays going and should stay good until the ice forms. Fathead minnows are the ticket there. And with that said, those three bays are generally the first to freeze up since they are the shallowest and are very good first ice areas to target perch.
The pike fishing is also going good for the very few fishermen who are targeting them. Areas to target are the same bays the perch are in for obvious reasons, along with the Sturgeon Bay ship canal, Potawatomi State Park shoreline and the Sherwood Point area. Casting and trolling crankbaits, spinnerbaits and large plastics are all good options, along with soaking some suckers. And as far as ice fishing, those same three shallow bays will produce some good numbers of pike once we get safe ice cover along with some of the protected marinas in town.
There is still some brown trout action going on from the docks in and around the harbors to the north of Sturgeon Bay. Folks have been casting spoons and plugs with some moderate success. With that said, the trolling bite can be really good if you can take the frigid temperatures. And again, once the ice forms, concentrate your efforts around all of those marinas from Sturgeon Bay north to Sister Bay.
The night walleye bite can also be very good this time of year for some really big walleyes. Sherwood Point, Henderson’s Point, the Potawatomi State Park shoreline, along with the vast shoreline to the north of Sturgeon Bay, are all good areas to target at night. Concentrate your efforts along the primary shoreline drop-offs and troll large suspending crankbaits.
Howie’s Tackle, (920) 746-9916.
Algoma Chamber of Commerce, (920) 487-3090.
EAGLE RIVER AREA
The open water season has come to an end quite abruptly, with much colder weather than we had last year at this time. You might be able to get on a few of the larger lakes, but even they are icing up now. This has brought an end to the muskie season, and for most of us we’re quite O.K. with that as we look to ice fishing now. Look for ice thickness in the 3- to 5-inch range at this point. And with the cold nights we may even have thicker ice on some lakes. Spud your way out if you are heading to spots where no one else has walked – every year someone goes through at this time of year.
The main attraction for early ice anglers is walleye fishing, and that part of the season has started rather slowly. Panfish also are targeted by a few anglers early, and it is a pleasure to be able to hunt and ice fish. This hasn’t happened during the deer gun season for quite a while now. The best and most used early season tactic is to intercept walleyes in the evenings as they move into the weeds to feed. If there are no weeds, the bait fish will be in different places, so we end up moving and looking to find the weeds in the different locations. The Eagle River Chain provides good early season fishing in places like The Bullpen on Yellow Birch Lake. This is frozen over now, and we’ll see some guys out there this week.
Panfish fishing can be a little slow early in the ice fishing season, as it take a while to locate the fish each winter. The key is weeds. Early fishing seems to concentrate on perch, as the crappies are in deeper water in the holes on the chain. Waxies seem to be the bait of choice at this point.
Eagle Sports Center, (715) 479-8804.
GREEN BAY/APPLETON AREA
With water temperatures dropping daily it is only a matter of time until the lakes and rivers begin to lock up, but until then fishing remains very good. Muskie anglers continue to troll big crankbaits and cast big rubber baits to catch fish in the lower bay and in the Fox River. Though muskie fishing hasn’t been on fire, anglers are catching big fish when they are feeding. A reminder for muskie anglers – the Green Bay muskie season closes Nov. 30. Anglers who have been targeting walleyes; however, are finding one of the best bites that has occurred all year long. Anglers fishing in the Fox River have been locating hungry fish in 8 to 16 feet of water on or just off the channel break. Walleyes have ranged from 15 to 22 inches. Whitefish are entering the river every day and are starting to congregate by the De Pere dam. Whitefish are pushing into the rivers to begin their spawning run and will remain in the river for the majority of winter, feeding on the abundant forage the Fox River has to offer.
Smokey’s on the Bay Bait, Tackle and Guide Service, (920) 436-0600.
HAYWARD AREA
People have been walking on some small lakes and bays, but extreme caution is advised. The big lakes still have some open spots, although most of them are covered with a thin layer of ice – fishing action has been limited. Anecdotal reports from opening weekend of the firearms season have been consistently good, with hunters reporting to have seen and shot good numbers of deer.
Hayward Bait, (715) 634-2921.
Hayward Lakes Visitor and Convention Bureau, (800) 724-2992.
LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES
Walleye fishing has been the best during low light conditions. Walleyes have been found around green weeds or rocks in 4 to 8 feet of water. Soak meat on a No. 4 hook under a lighted bobber. Casting a crankbait over the tops of weeds will also work. On sunny days, concentrate on deep structure in 20 to 35 feet of water using a jig or Lindy rig baited with a minnow.
Northern pike were active near weeds or along breaks. A slip sinker or slip bobber rig baited with a chub, sucker, or shiner has produced fish, as has casting crankbaits, and spoons.
Bluegills are in various locations. Look for them around green weeds in 4 to 12 feet of water, or along with deep structure in 18 to 30 feet. Fish towards the bottom for larger bluegills. Crappies were suspended around mid-depth weeds early and late, and suspended over deeper water during the day.
DNR hotline, (414) 382-7920.
Smokey’s Bait Shop, (262) 691-0360.
Dick Smith’s Bait, (262) 646 2218.
MADISON AREA
There has been a little bit of walleye action over the breaks, and along any green weeds that remain. There has been a little bit of pike action in the same areas. There has also been a little bit of bluegill action on Lake Monona for shore fishermen. The bass fishing has been fairly quiet. Lake Kegonsa has seen some bluegill, perch, and walleye action, with the walleyes coming on vertically jigged fatheads. Lake Wisconsin has had some better walleye action lately in all of the usual spots.
D&S Bait and Tackle, (608) 244-3474.
Dorn Hardware, (608) 244-5403.
MARATHON COUNTY AREA
The ice on the Eau Claire River at the store was at more than 4 inches Nov. 20. Recent below normal temperatures have produced early ice this season. Anglers are advised to use caution as ice conditions may vary in the early weeks of the season. Reports from enthusiastic anglers are starting to come through. The Eau Claire River and shallow bays of Lake Wausau freeze first. Reports of panfish and small northerns coming in as expected. Baits of choice are: waxies and red and white spikes for bluegills and perch, with crappie minnows and rosie reds for crappies. Use golden shiners for walleyes and northerns. Jigging and tip-ups always prove an effective means of bringing in the big ones.
Riverside Rentals & Bait Shop, (715) 574-1771.
MARINETTE/OCONTO AREA
In Marinette County, Menominee River discharge ranged between 4,500 to 7,800 cubic feet per second and continues to be high for November. The Hattie Street dam area had moderate to high fishing pressure on both shores and from the Hattie Street walkway. Walleyes, whitefish, and brown trout were targeted, with moderate success. One fisherman was using salmon eggs as bait, which gave him some success earlier in the week. Stephenson Island area shore and boat anglers had luck catching a few brown trout, rainbow trout, and walleyes. One lucky angler reeled in a rainbow trout that measured 34 inches and weighed close to 17 pounds.
In Oconto County, water temperatures ranged from 32 to 42 degrees and flows ranged from 1,400 to 1,700 cubic feet per second throughout the week. High fishing pressure was recorded for pier anglers and boats at the breakwater pier. The most sought-after fish was yellow perch, with few being caught. Many off-shore anglers were using crawlers or minnows to catch perch. The shore anglers using minnows had more success than those who used night crawlers.
MINOCQUA/WOODRUFF/LAKE TOMAHAWK AREA
With two of the past five nights reaching lows below zero and very little time with temps above freezing, areas of safe ice are increasing rapidly. Some bays, those protected from the west winds of mid-week, are seeing ice thickness of 5 inches or more already! Caution is still advisable as larger bodies of water have only just skimmed over entirely or are still showing some open spots. There have been good reports of walleye action on tip-ups where anglers can get on ice. Smaller perch have been abundant in the same shallows (5 to 9 inches) with a few better perch taking baits meant for walleyes. Crappie anglers are finding some very good action and size. Slabs are cruising the bays in 5 to 8 feet of water. Small minnows and horizontal jigs tipped with waxies are producing fish. With little snow in the woods, access to some hard-to-reach lakes good for anglers willing to walk a ways has been good.
Island Sport Shop, (715) 356-4797.
J and J Sports, (715) 277-2616.
PRICE COUNTY AREA
The Flambeau River water level is high, and heavy chunks of ice are flowing down river. As of Nov. 15 the forest has 2 to 5 inches of snow, a good depth for the deer gun season, though the woods is wet, so be sure to be prepared. The grouse season is open till the Dec. 31. Deer and elk have been busy browsing. Elk harems have disbanded, and mature bulls are separate from the cow-calf groups that are now occasionally accompanied by the younger bulls.
Bridge Bait and Tackle, Park Falls, (715) 762-4108.
Ross’s Sport Shop, Phillips, (715) 339-3625.
SPOONER AREA
Ice has taken hold on all lakes, but it’s pretty thin on the big lakes and flowage areas. Anglers have started walking on 3 to 5 inches of ice and are catching panfish on lakes such as Spooner and Bashaw or the Yellow River right in town. Opening weekend of deer hunting went well, with most groups happy with the deer they were seeing.
AAA Sports Shop, (715) 635-3011.
The post Wisconsin Outdoor News Fishing Report – Nov. 30, 2018 appeared first on Outdoornews.
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