Local Fishing Report

“In The Smiley Barn”
I-94 & Hwy 83 * Delafield, WI 53018
(262) 646-2218
www.dicksmithslivebait.com

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Now is the time to be targeting walleyes on the rivers! River water temperatures were in the upper 30’s. River water levels are low for this time of year, so be careful when navigating through the river.

The Rock River in Jefferson and Fort Atkinson have produced Walleyes, Saugers and a few Catfish. Anglers caught the most fish near deeper holes.  A 1/4 to 3/8 oz. Hair Jig or Leadhead Jigs dressed with a minnow, or a 3” to 4” plastic tail such as a Moxy, Pulse R, Sauger Slayer or Paddletail produced. A stinger hook is highly recommended during pre-spawn for those short bites. Shore anglers have done best using a Dick Smith Naked Three Way rig with either a streamer fly, floating jig, or #4 hook baited with a fathead, tuffy, or rosy red minnows. Blade Baits, Rippin Raps, and casting jig and plastic combos have also produced.

The Wisconsin River at the Dells, the Wolf, Prairie Du Sac and Nekoosa; Fox River at Depere; and the Mississippi have also been giving up walleyes.

It’s also time to hit the water for early season panfish ! The key to catching panfish in the spring is to look for warmest water temperature in bays, channels, or inlets. Prevailing winds will help determine which part of the lake to look for the warmest water. During warm, sunny days bluegills and crappies will move into shallow, dark bottomed bays, channels, and marsh areas in search of warm water and food. When panfish are in these shallow areas, use your trolling motor and make long casts. Afternoon and evening hours are the best times to fish when the water will be warmest.

Use a small Dick Smith 1/64th or 1/32nd ball head jig baited with a spike, wax worm, redworm, or small plastic tail for Bluegills. A black ant fly tipped with a wax worm also works excellent. Suspend these under a small bobber and make long casts for best results.

For Crappies, use a small fathead or rosy red baited on a #8 aberdeen hook suspended under a small pencil bobber or rocket bobber. Casting a 1/32oz jig dressed with a small plastic tail such as the Dick Smith’s Panfish Grub,  Cubby Mini Mite Jig or Kalin’s Crappie Scrubs can also be effective.

Catch and Release Bass Season is now in effect. You can legally target Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass and catch n release. The Bass should start cruising the shallows and relating to weed flats. Lipless Crankbaits, Suspending Jerkbaits, Spinner Baits, Chatter Baits and Swim Baits are the best options for early Spring Bass.

Perch have been very active in the Mississippi River. Large Rosy Reds and Giant Red Worms on a 3 way rig with 1-3 oz weights and a #4 or #6 hooks worked best for the Perch.

Anglers have been fishing the Lake Michigan harbors for brown trout. Casting a 3/8oz darter jig dressed with a 4” Gulp minnow or paddle tail was effective. Soaking a spawn sac or medium golden shiner minnow on a #8 Octopus hook suspended under a slip bobber worked as well.

The Root, Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Pike Rivers have produced a few steelhead. Soaking a spawn sac on a #8 Octopus Hook under a Raven float will produce, as will Beads, Tube Jigs, Wax Worms, and Blue Fox Spinners.

Please practice Selective Harvesting for the Future of Fishing.

Please visit the WI DNR website for rules on possession, bag, and minimum size limits.

 

Good Luck!
Mike & Becky Smith

Link to Wisconsin DNR Fishing Regulations