Local Fishing Report

	"IN THE AMISH BARN" I-94 & Hwy 83 2420 Milwaukee St. Delafield, WI 53018 (262) 646-2218 dicksbait@wi.rr.com
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Becky Smith's

Fishing Report

5-1-08

The recent cold front that moved through our area has slowed down the fishing pressure along with the fishing. The surface water temperatures were reported to be in the high 40’s to mid 50’s. Anglers still reported catching gills and crappies, but they just had to work a little harder to catch them. During warm sunny days, look for the gills and crappies in shallow, dark bottomed bays and channels in search of warm water and food. New, green weed growth will also be holding fish. During cold front conditions, look for them holding along the primary drop-off outside these warm water areas.

Bluegills can be caught using a #8 hook or ice fishing jig baited with a wax worm, spike, redworm or leafworm. Jig and plastic combos along with black ant flies are also deadly for gills. For crappies, a #8 Tru Turn hook or 1/32 oz jig baited with a small fathead or rosy red minnow will work best. Jig and plastic combos such as Dick Smith’s Panfish Grubs, Cubby Mini Mites, Nail Tails, or small tubes, also work great for crappies. Lakes to try would be Okauchee, Ashippun, Nagawicka, The Nemahbin Chain, Delavan, Monona, Rock, or Golden lakes.

The Wisconsin gamefishing season opens this Saturday, May 3^rd!!!

Largemouth bass will be in pre-spawn this weekend. Early in the spring, they key is to finding fish is finding the warmest water along with any new weed growth and baitfish. Pre-rigged worms, “wacky” rigged Senkos, jerkbaits, rattletraps, spinnerbaits, or swim jigs are good choices for spring largemouth. With the cooler water temps, live bait will work best for Largemouth Bass. Large golden shiners, medium chubs, or nightcrawlers are good choices. Good lakes to try are Okauchee, Nemahbins, Nagawicka, Pine, Golden, Silver, Rock, and Delavan Lakes

Smallmouth bass will also be in pre-spawn patterns. Look for the smallies to be cruising around shallower rock bars during sunny days. During cloudy conditions, look for them along deeper structure. Tube jigs, wacky rigged Senkos, small jerkbaits, and skirted grubs will work well. Leeches, nightcrawlers, jumbo fatheads, or small chubs are good live bait choices. Good lakes to try are Nagawicka, Pine, Upper Nemahbin, Oconomowoc, Lac La Belle, and Rock Lakes.

Walleyes will be found around weeds or structure in 6 to 12 feet of water. A jig, live bait rig or slip bobber rig baited with a jumbo fathead, medium golden shiner, small sucker, or leech will work best. Morning and evening hours will be the best times to catch walleyes. Good lakes to try are Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Lac La Belle, Pine, Upper Nemahbin and Delavan.

The DNR is again stocking trout into Lower Genesee, Lower Nashotah, Fowler and Ottawa Lakes. Trout are very easy to catch early in the season and it’s a great time to take a kid out fishing. Small fatheads, small rosy reds, and giant redworms will be the best bait choices. Bait these on a #8 hook and suspend under a slip float. Small Rooster tails or Mepps spinners, Kastmasters, and flies will also take these fish. Trout can be found anywhere from the surface down to 25 feet of water over deep water.

Spring can offer some excellent musky fishing. Smaller baits usually work better for early season muskies. Rizzo Tails, Mepps Musky Killers, twitch baits, and plastic baits such as Storm Kickin’ Slabs or Kickin’ Minnows, Tiger tubes, or Bulldawgs are good choices early in the season. Small musky suckers, large suckers, and large chubs rigged on a circle hook or lift off rig will also work well. Target drop-offs, however some aggressive fish will follow bluegills and crappies into shallower water for an easy meal. Pewaukee, Oconomowoc, Okauchee, Lac La Belle and Fowler lakes should all give up opening weekend muskies.

Northern pike should also be aggressive during opening weekend. Northerns will usually be found near weeds, and always near food. Mepps spinners, spinnerbaits, or crankbaits will all provide good action. The better live bait choices include medium or large suckers, chubs, or large or jumbo golden shiners. Good lakes to try are Nagawicka, Okauchee, Nemahbins, Genesees, Delavan, Moose, and Pine Lakes.

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Help us help you, please email us any reports you may have at dicksbait@wi.rr.com

Good Luck!
Becky Smith
dicksbait@wi.rr.com

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03-26-01