Fishing Wisconsin - Lake sturgeon spawning

Spawning update 2015

Thursday, April 16

The sturgeon spawning run on the Wolf River has begun. There are currently multiple spawning pods working at the Sturgeon Trail in New London and at least one spawning pod working at Bamboo Bend in Shiocton. The water temperatures have warmed up quite rapidly and will continue to warm over the next couple of days with the warm sunny weather. Due to these conditions, I believe the fish will spawn very fast and we will have a short, intense run that may last less than a week. So if you want to get out and see the sturgeon spawn, I highly recommend making arrangements to do that over the next 1-2 days in New London or Shiocton. I am anticipating that there will be spawning activity below the Shawano Dam by this weekend as well.

- Ryan Koenigs, sturgeon biologist, Oshkosh.

Sturgeon spawning

During mid-April to early May, Lake Sturgeon travel upstream to their spawning grounds, giving the public a prime opportunity to see these ancient ones up close.

Sturgeon spawning is dependent on water temperature and flow. During seasons when water flow is high and water temperatures rise slowly, spawning begins when water temperature reaches 53 degrees Fahrenheit. In contrast, during seasons of low water flow and more rapid water temperature rise, spawning does not begin until water temperatures reach 58-59 degrees Fahrenheit.

Wolf River cam at Shawano Dam - underwater [exit DNR]

Call the sturgeon hotline number for recorded daily updates: (920) 303-5444.

Sturgeon guard

Volunteer to guard sturgeon at their spawning sites on the Wolf River and protect the fish from poaching

Lake sturgeon spawning/viewing locations on the Wolf River

Maps open to larger images. Sites are listed from North to South

Shawano Dam in Shawano - Parking available on the east side of the river at the end of Richmond Street.

Bamboo Bend at Shiocton - on County Highway 54. Parking available on the north side of County Hwy. 54.

Wolf River Sturgeon Trail (near New London) - about 2 miles west of New London on County Highway X. Parking available on the south side of the river about 1/2 mile from the spawning site

Winter weather possible cause of fish kill on Black Earth Creek

CROSS PLAINS, Wis. - Fishery biologists doing routine population monitoring work on Black Earth Creek downstream of Cross Plains have documented a drop in fish populations from South Valley Road downstream about 0.8 miles. On-stream reports from early season trout anglers support this observation.

"We can't say with any certainty what the cause of the drop might be," said Scot Stewart, the Department of Natural Resources district fishery supervisor. "There are several possibilities including the very cold winter, an unknown runoff event of some kind or even last year's floods which greatly reduced the size of the 2013 year-class of fish in the creek. We simply don't have any solid evidence that points to any one clear cause.

"The good news is that this creek has high quality trout habitat, is very productive, and will recover naturally in two to three years. We can say this with confidence because we've experienced fish kills here before and the creek has recovered nicely within the two to three year timeframe."

Even some of the possible causes are somewhat lacking in probability say fishery experts. A sustained and very cold winter would make a runoff event less likely and there is no record of any such event taking place. A single reduced year class alone would not completely explain the preliminary estimate of a 70 percent drop in fish population in this stretch of stream.

"Winter is a stressful time of year for trout in streams, and this past winter was colder and longer than what we typically experience," said Matt Mitro, a DNR cold-water fish research scientist. "Our monitoring of water temperatures in nearby streams showed near-freezing temperatures from early December through March in areas of streams away from springs. Trout streams are usually not that cold for that length of time."

Biologists have already taken steps to ease the impact to the popular stream fishery by stocking 300 surplus wild brown trout from brood stock and additional rainbow trout into the affected stretch of stream.

Biologists will continue routine seasonal population monitoring in the area but will add some additional summertime monitoring as current work schedules allow.

"We've worked to build populations in this outstanding stream but something has happened," adds Stewart, "we don't know what, but we've taken action to soften the impact to anglers and we expect the stream to fully recover as it has done in the past."

Select anglers asked to report what they caught and kept in statewide “creel” survey

MADISON -- In an effort to learn more about statewide catch and harvest numbers for popular Wisconsin fish, state fisheries researchers are mailing monthly fishing logs to randomly selected license holders and asking them to record where they fished and what they caught and kept and to mail the report card back at the end of the month.

"The goal of the fishing creel survey is to get a firsthand representative account from anglers on fishing trends, catch and harvest rates and to see what kinds of fish species are favored in Wisconsin," says Jordan Petchenik, research sociologist for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "This useful information will ultimately help the agency to make more informed decisions about managing our fisheries."

The creel survey will run from May 2014 until April 2015 with more than 1,000 surveys sent each month to a new group of license holders. The DNR has completed two surveys in the past in 2006 and 2001.

"The survey is entirely voluntary and can be a fun way to keep track of your fishing outings over the course of a month, while helping to improve our fisheries," says Petchenik.

June 7, 8 is Free Fun Weekend

MADISON - For two days in June, Wisconsin residents and visitors alike can enjoy some of the country's best outdoor recreation for free.

On June 7-8, people can fish for free anywhere in Wisconsin, hike or bike state trails for free, ride public ATV trails for free, and, new this year, enjoy free admission to state parks and forests on both days as well.

Click here for complete story

Jobs Bills Significantly Weakens Laws Protecting Wisconsin’s Lakes and Streams

Poynette: Today, the Wisconsin Wildlife Federation announced that it had completed its legal review of SS SB 24 and SS AB 24 that have been introduced as “Job Bills” in the Special Session of the Legislature. The review shows that the bills will significantly weaken Wisconsin laws protecting its lakes and streams and make it virtually impossible for Wisconsin citizens to have meaningful input into DNR decisions that affect their waterways. The Wisconsin Wildlife Federation, representing the interests of over 170 hunting, fishing and trapping groups, opposes the bills because of the damage that will happen to fish and wildlife habitat critically important to sportsmen and women.

Specifically, in its study of the bill the Federation found that the bills:

------Substantially remove Wisconsin Citizen’s ability to protect their lakes and streams

------Significantly weaken environmental regulations protecting fish and wildlife habitat

------Violate the Constitution-based Public Trust Doctrine protecting navigable waters

------Weaken environmental standards that apply to metallic mining in Wisconsin

The Federation has detailed these findings in the attached fact sheet.

“Whether you are a hunter, angler or trapper, Wisconsin’s lakes and streams are critically important habitat for the fish and wildlife that are the backbone for hunting, fishing and trapping in Wisconsin,” stated Chuck Matyska (Cecil), President of the Federation. “Allowing these lakes and streams to be damaged is contrary to the interest of every sportsman and woman in this state.”

“The Legislature is working hard to increase the recruitment and retention of young hunters, anglers and trappers in Wisconsin, but without quality fish and wildlife habitat, the important heritage of hunting, fishing and trapping will be lost forever,” indicated Betty Borchert, Chair of the Federation’s Environment Committee. “Ultimately, the loss of this habitat will hurt the economy and in fact cost Wisconsin jobs.

The Federation is the state’s largest hunting, fishing and trapping organization and is dedicated to conservation education and the advancement of sound conservation policy on behalf of hunters, anglers and trappers.

Gamefish on the humps

Humping For Late Fall Open Water Gamefish

A cold wind crept down his back, but he did his best to ignore it. He knew soon that the ice fishing season would arrive. He liked to cast and fight his quarry in open water. It was big fish season, and a real outdoorsman and a veteran of snowy, frigid Packers games could take it.

He continued to cast…retrieve…cast…retrieve. The repetitive motion helped keep him warm as did a thermos of hot coffee. He made a well-honed cast toward and just beyond some broadleaved aquatic plants and began his retrieve.

Read more ►

 

Paul Redel with a typical largemouth that hit his special balloon tipped Mepps inline spinner.

Photo: Courtesy Paul Redel

Lawrence Van Veghel

Milwaukee Fishing Examiner

7 state fishing records fall in first five months of 2010

MADISON – State fishing records are falling fast -- literally with a “thunk” -- as anglers have been hauling in a boatload of true lunkers.

By June 1, seven new state fish records had been confirmed in 2010 in the “alternate methods" category. The fish ranged from 4 pounds to more than 200 pounds, and the longest stretched more than seven feet long. Six of the seven were taken with a bow and arrow, one with a spear, and one new record was only on the books for a month before it was eclipsed.

A monster fish – a quillback-river carpsucker hybrid – has also been harvested in recent weeks from Wisconsin waters but didn’t qualify for a record because the state no longer accepts records for hybrid fish.

“Bowfishing seems to be growing in popularity and our record books are starting to reflect that trend,” says Karl Scheidegger, the DNR fish biologist who coordinates the state record fish program.

“More people are learning about the alternate methods category and seem to be targeting those records.”

Bowfishing involves using specialized archery equipment to target carp, drum, burbot and the like during an open season that coincides with the statewide spearing seasons. The Guide to Wisconsin Spearing, Netting, and Bait Harvest Regulations 2010-2011 can be found on the fishing regulations page of the DNR website.

The parade of record fish, and the people who landed them, are listed with the most recent first (following links exit DNR to WiscFish website, a collaborative effort by the Wisconsin DNR, University of Wisconsin Center for Limnology and University of Wisconsin Sea Grant):

•Taylor Hanson of New Lisbon shot a 4-pound, 1.6 ounce, 29-inch short nose gar from the Wisconsin River in Grant County on May 29.
•Lance Lyga of Independence shot a 3-pound, 8 ounce, 19-inch long spotted sucker, from the Mississippi River in Trempealeau County on May 22.
•Nathaniel Fritsch of Ettrick shot a 28-pound, 13.3 ounce, 35-inch long sheepshead, from the Mississippi River in Trempealeau County on May 17.
•Kyle Lakey of Trempealeau shot a 29-pound, 10.9 ounce, 33.15-inch smallmouth buffalo, from the Trempealeau River in Trempealeau County on April 18.
•Crae Wilke of Hortonville shot a 10-pound, 15 ounce, 26.6-inch silver red horse from the Weyauwega Mill Pond on March 23.
•David Kropp of Sauk City shot a 13-pound, 28 1/4 inch smallmouth buffalo on March 6, 2010, while bowfishing on the Wisconsin River in Sauk County. He held this record for a month before Kyle Lakey bettered it.
•Ron Grishaber of Appleton speared a 212-pound, 3.2-ounce lake sturgeon that stretched 84.25 inches long on Feb. 13, 2010, opening day of the Lake Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing seasons.

Wesley Babcock of Pardeeville hauled in an 18-pound, 2.7 ounce, 29-inch quillback-river carpsucker hybrid from the Castle Rock Flowage, a fish that nearly doubles the weight of the state record quill back and carp sucker records. He received an “Exceptional Catch” certificate from DNR for his efforts.

What to do if you think you’ve caught a record fish?

If you think you or someone else has caught a fish that may be a state record, here's what you need to do:

•Don't clean the fish
•Freeze the fish if possible or keep it cool, preferably on ice
•Get the fish weighed as soon as possible on a certified scale (usually found in grocery, hardware stores, etc.) and witnessed by an observer
•Contact a fisheries biologist at the nearest DNR Service Center to get the fish species positively identified and to find out whether the fish is actually a state record.
•Obtain and complete a record fish application, downloadable from the DNR websit or available from a DNR service center.
•If possible, take a photo of you holding your prize catch and e-mail it to [Karl.Scheidegger@wisconsin.gov] or send a print to his attention at the DNR Bureau of Fisheries Management, Box 7921, Madison, Wis., 53707.

May 1 opener earliest date possible

Warm spring bodes well for anglers

MADISON – The 2010 regular inland season is opening on the first date possible – May 1 -- but the fish and the anglers are already waiting and eager.

“The fishing opener is a great opportunity to take kids fishing and start to build their appreciation of Wisconsin’s great outdoors,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary Matt Frank. “We are working hard with our partners to deliver great angling opportunities for all, from first-timers to pros.”

With most of the state experiencing an early spring, fisheries biologists say water temperatures are warmer than in the past few years.

“The ice is out statewide, and the fish will be at a later stage of spawning than normal,” says Mike Staggs, director of DNR fisheries management. “Anglers may need to change their tactics to match the warmer conditions, but the fish should be feeding and we expect a good fishing opener and a great season.”

The anglers are ready.

“I am really looking forward to the opener this year. I don't know if it is too any e-mails, too long a winter, or what, but I am ready,” says Scot Stewart, who can be found fishing when he’s not on duty as fish supervisor in the DNR South Central Region.

“Panfish in the Madison lakes should be outstanding. Muskie management has paid off in a number of waters around the region. Bass, walleye, pike are all there. Trout fishing in southern Wisconsin is the best it has ever been. Explore a new river. Get out there and enjoy it and take someone with you to enjoy it with you.”

Other fish managers had equally encouraging predictions for anglers based on the results of the spring surveys they are just conducting and last year’s results. Check out the 2010 Wisconsin Fishing Report for the forecast for dozens of the most popular waters in Wisconsin, and find the up-to-date conditions report filed by fish managers in the last few days.

Northern Wisconsin

The ice went out on lakes in the Woodruff area a full two weeks earlier than usual. Initially we thought the fish would not be ready to spawn and would thus avoid our netting gear for spring surveys. The eggs need time to develop and photo period/day length has some say in that process. We figured the fish would "dribble" in, but were surprised with typical catches each day. But we set nets immediately after ice-out and found the fish were spawning as they would have had it been two weeks later. Currently, walleye are well past the peak of spawning except for the large, deep lakes like Trout (Vilas County) or Tomahawk (Oneida County). I would expect spawning to go on in those for another several days to a week yet, but well before the opening of fishing in a few weeks. In a "normal" year, we still see some active males and post-spawn females hanging shallow and up on the rocky shorelines during the fishing opener. This year I don't know if that will be the case - anglers may have to adjust their tactics to more of a mid-May presentation. Fish might take jigs and minnows yet, but trying leeches would not be out of the question by then either. Our weather has been mild and the long range forecasts are calling for continued above-average temps. – Mike Vogelsang, fisheries supervisor, Woodruff

Northeastern Wisconsin

Spring arrived early this year and the fish should be much more active by opening weekend. Spawning was earlier for northern pike and walleye, so along with warmer water temperatures these species will have moved into their active feeding patterns. – George Boronow, fisheries supervisor, Northeastern Wisconsin

South Central Wisconsin

Panfish in the Madison lakes should be outstanding. Muskie management has paid off in a number of waters around the region. It will be a good year. Bass, walleye, pike are all there. Trout fishing in southern Wisconsin is the best it has ever been. Explore a new river. Get out there and enjoy it and take someone with you to enjoy it with you. – Scot Stewart, fisheries supervisor, South Central Wisconsin

Southeastern Wisconsin

Walleye and northern pike are done spawning and out actively feeding. Musky are just starting their spawn. Pre-spawn, largemouth bass are schooling-up, congregating in shallow bays actively feeding on panfish attracted to warming waters found there. Smallmouth bass are in rocky shallows, searching for emerging crayfish. Having left their egg-skeins draped on submerged shoreline brush, yellow perch are done spawning. Come opening day, musky should be done spawning, and all game fish should be actively feeding as they put-back weight lost over winter or through spawning. Fish shallow along drop-offs early and late for walleyes and northern pike; and in shallow bays mid-day for bass. Smallmouth bass will be near rock, pier pilings and boat-lift tracks; largemouth will be over dark bottom hiding in ambush near emerging aquatic plants. - Randy Schumacher, fisheries supervisor, Southeast Wisconsin

Western Wisconsin

Eau Claire area: Walleyes have completed their spring spawning ritual and anglers should find them on the feed up and down the Chippewa River and it’s impoundments. Shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas are your best bets for larger fish. Panfish have been moving into the warm shallow water on area lakes. Small jigs or worms under a bobber will bring action. Largemouth bass have also been seen moving into the shallows. Small lures and light line will provide the best action. Local trout anglers should find conditions tough with water clarity being the issue. Lighter rains causing some runoff will “dirty” the water making the trout less spooky and easier to catch. – Bob Hujik, fisheries supervisor, Lower Chippewa and Central Wisconsin basins.

La Crosse area: Anglers fishing for trout in the La Crosse Area will find streams in the best shape they have been in my 30 years here. Anglers fishing the early catch and release season have found good numbers brown trout in the 14-18 inch range and occasinal brook trout over 12 inches. Many anglers have personally told me they have had days where they caught and released more that 20 trout. One angler released a brown that was 26+ inches (but I forgot where he said he caught it). Water levels in the streams are good and should remain that way well into the summer. This is a good time to explore some new water that you haven't fished before. (Fact: There are more than 220 classified trout streams (1,000 miles0 in the four-county area. Creel surveys have shown that average angler fishes for about 2.5 hours before quitting or moving to another stream. With our season being about 210 days long, an angler could fish a different stream every single day and he/she would still not be able to fish all the water available). Just be sure to ask permission when wanting to access private land. - Dave Vetrano, fisheries supervisor, La Crosse

Wausau area: Fishing in central Wisconsin is expected to be good even with the early spring. The walleye in the Wisconsin River should be feeding very well by now; they have been done spawning for two weeks, well ahead of schedule. With the very warm weather, I expect the panfish to be biting better than on a normal opener, since the water has been above 60 in many of the bays and backwaters of the Wisconsin River for a week or more. Also, musky anglers in Central Wisconsin can now start fishing the Stevens Point Flowage South of the new Hwy 10 bridge on the opener, instead of when the Northern Season opens. – Tom Meronek, fisheries biologist, Wausau

Season dates and regulations
The hook-and-line game fish season opens May 1 on inland waters for walleye, sauger, and northern pike statewide.

The largemouth and smallmouth bass southern zone opens May 1, while the northern bass zone opens for catch and release only from May 1 through June 18. Anglers are reminded that artificial lures and barbless hooks must be used if fishing for bass during the catch-and-release bass fishing season in the northern zone and any other water body that has bass catch-and-release regulations. From June 19 to March 6, 2011, there’s a minimum length limit of 14 inches with a daily bag limit of five fish in total.

Musky season opens May 1 in the southern zone and May 29 in the northern zone.

The northern zone is the area north of highways 77, 64 and 29, with Highway 10 as the dividing line.

The seasons for rock, yellow and white bass, panfish, bullheads and rough fish, catfish, cisco and whitefish are open all year. Check the “2010-2011 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations" for special regulations listed by county, for regulations on the Great Lakes and boundary waters, and for tributary streams to Green Bay and Lake Michigan. The complete guide is also available at DNR offices and license agents.

Fishing licenses
It’s easy to buy a fishing license. You can purchase online; at DNR license vendors; or by calling toll-free 1-877-WI LICENSE (1-877-945-4236).

Wisconsin residents and nonresidents 16 years old or older need a fishing license to fish in any waters of the state. Residents born before Jan. 1, 1927, do not need a license, nor do people who exhibit proof they are in active service with the U.S. armed forces and are a resident on furlough or leave.

About 1.4 million licenses are sold each year to adult anglers in the state and Wisconsin trails only to Florida in the number of days nonresident anglers spend fishing here. Anglers have 15,000 inland lakes, 42,000 miles of streams and rivers plus the Great Lakes shoreline and 260 miles of the Mississippi River to fish. Sportfishing generates $2.75 billion in economic benefits, supports 30,164 jobs, and generates $200 million in state and local tax revenues.

Governor’s Fishing Opener in Polk County
The 45th Governor’s Fishing Opener, officially kicking off Wisconsin’s big game fishing season, takes place at Lake Arbutus in Jackson County on Saturday, May 1. Joining Gov. Jim Doyle at the event this year will be DNR Secretary Matt Frank, DNR Fisheries Director Mike Staggs, local legislators and officials, and media from in and outside of the state.

Former Governor Warren Knowles started the tradition in 1965 to officially open the state's fishing season. The angling event is held at various locations in western and northern Wisconsin each year and is sponsored by the Wisconsin Indianhead Country Tourism group. This event is also by invitation only to key people in the media and state and local government officials.

Anglers are reminded of rules to help stop the spread of VHS
Anglers are reminded to follow rules that help prevent the spread of the deadly fish disease viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS. Earlier this year, evidence of viral hemorrhagic septicemia was detected in fish from Lake Superior by Cornell University scientists using sensitive new molecular methods. And just last week, the DNR learned from Michigan that the virus had been detected in lake herring from Wisconsin waters of the Apostle Island. In both cases, the testing was done on fish that had not died of VHS nor showed any symptoms of the actual disease.

For more information on VHS and steps that all water users can take, visit VHS Prevention.

Eat smaller, younger fish
With walleye spawning done in much of the state, many anglers will be hoping to reel in their limit of this tasty fish. It’s a good, low cost source of nutrition and a brain booster to boot, but make sure that those who eat the fish are following Wisconsin’s fish consumption advisory. A 2009 video (avaialble on the linked page) shows how you can eat your catch and reduce your levels of environmental contaminants such as PCBs and mercury. Inland waters are covered by the same general advice with the exception of about 100 waters where more stringent advice applies.

Fishing in Wisconsin by the numbers
Fifty-three percent of the adults responding to an October 2009 statewide UW-Madison Badger poll say they fish.

The latest statewide mail survey shows that anglers in Wisconsin catch an estimated 88 million fish and keep about 33 million of them, or a little more than one-third. While walleye is the top target, panfish are the most frequently caught and consumed. Learn more online about fishing in Wisconsin.

Connect with fish
Be the first to hear where fish are biting and more by subscribing to fisheries email updates or following [fishwisconsin] on Twitter [Exit DNR].

Correction on two popular Vilas County waters
The 2010-2011 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations incorrectly lists a slot size limit on walleye for North and South Twin lakes, which are connected. There is no slot size limit; the lakes are under the statewide 15-inch minimum size regulation.

Also, Kentuck Lake has a minimum length limit on musky of 40 inches. The size limit was incorrectly listed in the pamphlet.

L.A. Van Veghel Photos

In June of 2008 L.A. Van Veghel caught and released this possible state record warmouth. It probably was killed later in 2008.

L.A. Van Veghel with a smallmouth bass that fell for a small shad-shaped crankbait on the Rainbow Flowage.

All species angler, here’s L.A. Van Veghel with a fine eater Lake Michigan salmon from off of Racine, WI.

A nice eater bluegill for L.A. Van Veghel from Lauderdale Lake.

Milwaukee Area Great for Angling

One of the great things about the Milwaukee area is its access to fantastic fishing. While many waters are crowded, due to being within the highest density of fishing license holders in Wisconsin, there are other waters having less pressure than some of the famous “up north” waters. Activity is low on Pickerel, Army, Lulu, Booth, and countless others. The trick is learning the secret to gaining access. Every species the “up north” angler seeks inhabits some lake or river near Milwaukee, and more. By bordering Lake Michigan, Milwaukee and neighboring counties bring even more species to anglers’ boats. Salmon and trout, some of which are really char, are added to the livewells.

In the Milwaukee area waters, you can fish for anything from the #1 Wisconsin panfish, the bluegill, to Lake Michigan’s powerful and fast Chinook salmon and hard fighting steelhead, otherwise called rainbow trout, and to the mighty musky, the state’s gamefish.

Nagawicka, in Waukesha County, is the most fished per acre lake in our state. It produces good pike, dandy walleye, and plenty of panfish, including bluegills, crappies and yellow perch. There are no boat liveries (rentals), yet plenty of anglers launch in the park on the east side of the lake.

2,493 acre Pewaukee, just east of Nagawicka, is home for numerous fine muskies. Traditionally anglers only fished in the daytime for these large predators, but night fishing is beginning to produce muskies, plus walleyes and bass. Many years ago, Joe Ehrhardt caught a 50# musky during gun deer hunting week. He was planning on panfishing in the Madison area, and he and his partner changed their minds. The fish would’ve officially weighed over 50#, but Ehrhardt didn’t realize he had a line class, world record fish. So, on the next day, the fish was officially weighed. It had lost some weight due to evaporation, but it was still just a shade under 50#.

Other near to Milwaukee counties offering great fishing include the small lakes and ponds of Ozaukee County. These waters feature panfish and largemouth bass. Some of these small waters have stocked walleyes.

Washington County has both small and large lakes, plus smallmouth action in the Milwaukee River. Big Cedar serves nice bass and occasional large northern pike. I’ve enjoyed many hours catching bluegills on live bait and Dick Smith Panfish Grubs, largemouth bass on black Mr. Twister spinnerbaits, and pike on trolled crankbaits such as Shad Raps. Not only is trolling excellent in the summer, especially where you find inside turns having healthy, outside edge aquatic plants, but it makes hot, humid and windless summer days more bearable.

South of Milwaukee, Racine County’s waters present panfish, pike and largemouth bass. Wind Lake, for example, also has walleye on its angling menu. The Racine Quarry is stocked with trout, and the Root River, which runs alongside this deep, manmade pond, is excellent for river run fish from Lake Michigan.

Kenosha County offers lakes similar to those in Racine County, and the Pike River is home to river run fish. Yes, Milwaukeeans, it is okay to go south to catch fish. Why not? It’s closer, and gas is no longer a bargain.
We’ll have plenty to discuss regarding the diverse Milwaukee area fishery. The seasons change fish locations and depths. Sun angle does that too. Temperatures move fish around in the lakes, and ice is another factor. We will look at moonlight, high and low pressure systems, rising and falling barometers, and all kinds of other things related to fishing. With my 34 years in area instructional fishing clubs, my experience fishing some tournaments and fisherees, and my 33 years as a published outdoor writer, we can draw on this vast collection of information, and both you and I will learn and relearn all about fishing in the Milwaukee area.Now, go and make sure your hooks are sharp. It’s time to go fishing.

Photos courtesy of the Wisconsin Fishing Club, Ltd., www.wisconsinfishingclub.com/ Joe Ehrhardt’s near 50#, line class musky from Pewaukee Lake.

Webmeister Note: This article was written by Larry Van Veghel. You can see more of what he has to say at: Milwaukee Fishing Examiner

Walleye bag limits adjusted for Ceded Territory lakes

MADISON -- Daily walleye bag limits have been revised on 418 lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory in response to harvest declarations made by six bands of Chippewa Indians in Wisconsin, the state Department of Natural Resources has announced. Revised bag limits are effective between May 1, 2009 and March 7, 2010, inclusive.

There will be a three walleye bag limit for sport anglers on 87 lakes, a two-fish daily bag limit on 324 lakes, and seven lakes will have a daily bag limit of one walleye.

Most Chippewa tribal harvest takes places during the spring spearfishing season. An administrative rule passed by the state Natural Resources Board in 1998 allows the department to adjust initial bag limits annually to reflect actual spring spearing harvest and projected summer harvests. Following the spring spearfishing season, DNR will review tribal harvest and where possible revise bag limits upwards on lakes lightly or not speared. The number of lakes spearers harvest annually is typically been in the range of 150 to 170.

Lakes declared by the Lac du Flambeau Band have a daily bag limit of three walleye for sport anglers. The DNR and the Lac du Flambeau Band have an agreement giving the Band authority to sell fishing licenses in return for making declarations at a level that allows a three walleye per day recreational angler bag limit.

The adjusted bag limits (pdf; 27KB) are available in portable document format on the regulations page of the DNR Fishing Wisconsin Web site and are being published as an insert to the 2009-2010 Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations. Lakes not listed are subject to the regulations printed in the regulations pamphlet. The statewide daily bag limit for walleyes on many Wisconsin lakes remains at five fish per day, but anglers should check the regulations for special size and bag limits that are in effect on specific waters.

As part of a 1983 federal Appellate Court decision affirming Chippewa off-reservation hunting, fishing, and gathering rights, the six bands of Wisconsin Chippewa set annual harvest quotas for off-reservation lakes in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory. As part of court agreements, the Department of Natural Resources reduces bag limits for recreational hook and line anglers in lakes declared for harvest by the Chippewa bands to assure the combined tribal and recreational angler harvest does not jeopardize the ability of walleye to sustain its population in any lake. The state is entering its 25th year of the joint tribal and recreational fishery.

For background information on Chippewa treaty rights, a description of the management and monitoring system used to ensure the long term viability of fisheries in the Ceded Territory, and to see data collected as part of that monitoring system, including walleye population estimates and creel survey summaries for all game fish, see the DNR Bureau of Fisheries Management Internet pages regarding the joint tribal and recreational fishery in the Wisconsin Ceded Territory.

Webmeister Note: You may have to click a few times to get the actual Bag Limits for your Lake or Lakes, however there is important information provided by the WDNR you may want to have access to before you try to go out and catch your limit of Eyes for the frying pan. We just want to present the information the way it is.

Lake Michigan sport fish harvests down in 2008

MADISON – High fuel prices in summer 2008 and bad fishing weather contributed to across-the-board decreases in the number of trout and salmon caught by Lake Michigan anglers in 2008, state fisheries official say.

Lower forage base levels may have contributed as well to the lower harvests, and for chinook, a lake-wide reduction in stocking levels since 2006 also may have shown up in anglers’ creels in 2008, they say.

Anglers spent a total of 2.5 million hours fishing Lake Michigan and tributaries, down from 3.1 million hours the previous year. While angler effort has been slowly declining in Lake Michigan since the 1980s, anglers spent less time on the water in 2009 than in any other year than 2000, angler surveys show.

“The weather was off for fishing, and with gas at $4 a gallon, more anglers decided they didn’t want to go out and look for the fish,” says Brad Eggold, Southern Lake Michigan fisheries supervisor for the Department of Natural Resources.

Unusual weather patterns kept the chinook farther away from shore and scattered throughout the water column, and the coho fishing also didn’t follow its normal pattern of starting off strong in spring in Kenosha area waters and slowly moving northward, Eggold says.

“In the past, when chinook and coho numbers dropped, boaters went out 12 miles off shore to locate and catch steelhead,” he says. “This didn’t happen this year, most likely due to gas prices and consequently, the catch for steelhead are low as are the overall salmon and trout catch.”
Anglers who fish Lake Michigan tributaries were the only category of anglers tracked in the survey that actually spent more time chasing their quarry in 2008 than the previous year.

Wisconsin anglers pulled in more than 650,000 fish of all species from Lake Michigan, with decreases in harvests of brook, rainbow, brown and lake trout, as well as yellow perch, and chinook and coho salmon. Lake Michigan anglers harvested 256,796 chinook in 2008; that places it in the top 10 years of harvest but down from the phenomenal 431,143 the previous year. The fish were larger, a good sign that the reduction in chinook stocking instituted by Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan in 2006 is working to bring chinook numbers closer in line with the forage base to sustain good fishing into the future, Eggold says.

“Chinook stocking was reduced lake-wide by 25 percent in 2006 to balance the amount of forage per numbers of fish,” says Eggold. “Because of the salmon’s maturity schedule, we saw little or no effect on harvest in 2007. The fewer, but larger fish in 2008 could be a sign that the reductions are doing what we needed them to do.”

What can anglers expect for Lake Michigan fishing in 2009?

“Gas prices are half the price they were a year ago and provided the weather cooperates and prey base stays adequate, anglers should continue to see solid numbers of chinook and a bounce back in coho,” says Eggold.

Additional information on chinook fishing can be found on the DNR Web site, including a chart showing overall trout and salmon harvests, and harvests broken down by species, in addition to more information on chinook salmon; the best seasons for Lake Michigan year-round chinook shore fishing.

More information on Lake Michigan fisheries is also available on the DNR Web site. The Lake Michigan Hotline at (414) 382-7920 features up-to-date fishing reports and conditions.

Inland game fish season closes March 1

MADISON – Anglers should be aware that the game fish season on most inland Wisconsin waters closes at the end of the day on Sunday, March 1.

The panfish seasons remain open year-round as does the season for certain game fish on select lakes and rivers, including much of the Wisconsin River and its impoundments. Waters that remain open are listed in the “Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations” and on the Department of Natural Resources Web site.

In addition, an early trout season opens 5 a.m. on March 7 and continues until Sunday, April 27 at midnight. The early season is catch-and-release only, and only artificial lures with barbless hooks may be used while fishing for any species of fish on trout streams.

Most trout streams are open to early fishing with the exception of most Lake Superior tributaries and most streams in northeast Wisconsin. Check the “2008-09 Trout Fishing Regulations and Guide” to verify which waters are open during the early season and visit the early trout fishing page of the DNR Web site for tips on the flies and techniques to use – as well as other information – to help make your early trout season more enjoyable and successful.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Joe Hennessy - (608) 267-9427; Larry Claggett – (608) 267-9658

Deadlines approach for ice fishing shelter removal

MADISON – Deadlines are approaching for ice anglers to remove ice fishing shelters from inland and boundary waters. The regulations for removing ice shanties changed last year, and state conservation wardens report the change has resulted in some confusion as to when shanties must be removed from water south of Highway 64.

The new law requires that for waters south of Highway 64 ice fishing shelters must be removed daily and when not occupied after the first Sunday following March 1 and after the first Sunday following March 12 north of Highway 64.

“March 1 is a Sunday this year, that's probably why it's not as clear,” says Barb Wolf, Regional Conservation Warden for the Department of Natural Resources South Central Region. “But because the law says the Sunday following March 1, this year that means beginning on Monday, March 9, shelters must be removed daily and when not occupied or in active use.”

Shelters north of Highway 64 will need to be removed daily when not in use by Monday March 16 this year.

However, Wolf emphasized that is just the legal deadline for daily removal, and that anglers should consider removing their semi-permanent shelters before then if it appears that lake ice conditions are deteriorating. If not removed, shelters, also known as shanties, can sink or be carried away, creating a danger to boaters. If a shelter should break through the ice and sink, the owner is responsible for recovering the shelter.

All ice fishing shelters must be removed by the end of the day on the following dates for other waters around the state:

• March 1 – Wisconsin-Minnesota boundary waters.
• March 15 - Lake Michigan, Green Bay, Lake Superior and Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters.
• Feb. 20 - Wisconsin-Iowa boundary waters. This earlier date, affecting the Mississippi River south of the Minnesota-Iowa border, is set to correspond with Iowa regulations.

After these dates for removing ice fishing shelters from a frozen lake or river, an angler may continue to use a portable shelter but must remove it when it is not occupied or actively being used.

Failure to remove a shanty or ice fishing shelter by these deadlines could result in a forfeiture of $248.60. Additional costs may be incurred if the DNR must arrange to have the shanty removed or if the shanty or ice fishing shelter breaks through the ice and must be recovered and disposed of.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Bureau of Law Enforcement - (608) 266-2141

2009 Lake Winnebago sturgeon spear season one for the record books

OSHKOSH – The lunker’s still out there.

The 230-pound behemoth lake sturgeon netted by state fish crews in the fall eluded the record 10,239 licensed spearers who took to the ice for the 77th consecutive 2009 Lake Winnebago system sturgeon spearing season.

But the separate seasons on the big lake and the Upriver Lakes were still fit for the record books. Sturgeon history was made on day 2 of the season when Amy Van Beek of Menasha threw an 80.8 inch, 168.8 pound female sturgeon out of her shack on Lake Poygan. It was the largest fish ever harvested by a woman spearer, the largest fish ever registered from the Upriver Lakes, the fourth largest fish by weight on record and the sixth longest fish on record.

Van Beek’s fish was one of 32 sturgeon harvested that weighed more than 100 pounds; in all, spearers took 1,512 fish during the 2009 sturgeon spearing season on the combined lakes of the Winnebago pool which includes Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes -- Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts.

Last year, spearers registered 42 sturgeon that weighed between 100 and 172 pounds, the highest percentage of trophy-size fish ever recorded in the history of the fishery. A 100-pound sturgeon can be anywhere from 65 to 80 years old; heavier sturgeon are proportionally older.

“The number of these trophy-size fish has been increasing significantly over the last decade,” said Ron Bruch, DNR senior sturgeon biologist. “This is due to the distribution of age classes currently present in the population and due to the impact of harvest regulation implemented over the last 17 years designed to increase survival of these large fish.”

The 2009 season opened on a partly sunny day with light wind that didn’t chill the excitement in the record 6,853 shanties on the lakes for the first day of the spearing season. “The season ended with a snowstorm and strong winds that created white-out conditions on Lake Winnebago, but that didn’t stop large numbers of dedicated sturgeon spearers from driving out on the ice to their shacks in an attempt to get their sturgeon on the 8th and last day of the 2009 season,” Bruch said.

The Upriver Lakes season, which is limited to 500 licenses and is controlled by a lottery, was open five days, closing Wednesday, Feb. 18. The focus then shifted attention to the big lake, where the season ran another three days. “The average season length on Lake Winnebago since we've gone to the 6-hour spearing days in 2002 is 11 days,” said Bruch.

“We are always glad to see the season go longer than be very short -- at least into or through two weekends -- to give the spearers ample opportunity to get out on the ice, and to give the local establishments an opportunity to take advantage of the extra patrons that sturgeon spearing produces while the season is going on,” he said.

Of the 1,512 fish speared, 301 were juveniles (86% of quota), 615 adult females (97.6% of quota), and 596 males (59.6% of quota). Harvest caps for the 2009 season were set at 350 juvenile females, 630 adult females, or 1,000 males.

“At this point, it does not appear that we exceeded our 5 percent exploitation limit for any of the three harvest categories (juvenile females, adult females, or males) but we won't know for sure until all the data are entered,” Bruch said.

Wisconsin has the world’s largest lake sturgeon population. The DNR has been intensively managing the lake sturgeon population and fishery for more than 60 years, conducting annual surveys and working closely with the public to maintain safe harvest levels, Bruch says.

The current lake sturgeon population in the Winnebago System is estimated at about 60,000 fish ages 1 to 80, including 25,000 males and 13,000 females in the adult spawning stock.

This season, 4,031 people applied for the Upriver lottery; 500 licenses were authorized and 490 Upriver licenses were sold. The DNR also sold 9,749 licenses for Lake Winnebago. In all, 10,239 licenses for spearing on both Winnebago and Upriver lakes.

“We have seen a 20 percent increase in sturgeon spearing license sales in the last two years,” said Bruch. “I believe the success of our management program in producing and sustaining this high quality fishery with a high success rate has caused interest to grow around the region, state and Midwest.”

The average success rate on the Upriver Lakes is 56 percent. The success rate on Lake Winnebago averages about 13 percent, which means that if regular sturgeon spearers apply every year, they may be able to experience spearing success six to eight times in their lifetime.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron Bruch, (920) 424-3059; Tom Turner, DNR Public Affairs Manager, (920) 662-5122

2009 Sturgeon season ends with snow and wind; 1,512 final harvest total

Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearers harvest 89 Saturday

OSHKOSH – The 2009 sturgeon spearing season on Lake Winnebago ended at 12:30 p.m. Saturday with a total of 1,512 fish taken from the combined lakes of Winnebago, Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts.

Sturgeon Biologist Ron Bruch said, “The registration tally on Friday popped the 90% trigger for adult female sturgeon which gave spearers one more day to harvest their fish on Lake Winnebago before that season closed. That day was Saturday.” The Upriver Lakes season closed on Wednesday.

Spearers took a day’s total of 89 sturgeon on Saturday including 44 female sturgeon (14 juvenile females and 40 adult females) and 35 males.

The final count for this season for both Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes is 1,512. A breakdown tally is 301 juveniles (86% of quota), 615 adult females (97.6% of quota), and 596 males (59.6% of quota). Harvest caps for the 2009 season were set at 350 juvenile females, 630 adult females, or 1,000 males.

“A snowstorm and strong winds created white-out conditions on Lake Winnebago today,” said Bruch. “But that didn’t stop large numbers of dedicated sturgeon spearers from driving out on the ice to their shacks this morning in an attempt to get their sturgeon on the last day of the 2009 season.”

Bruch reported several statistics on past and current sturgeon seasons on Lake Winnebago. More regular Lake Winnebago licenses were sold in 2009 than any other year (9,596), more shanties on the ice than any other year (6,213), and the second highest sturgeon harvest (1,237) since 2004, when spearers took 1,854 sturgeon from the big lake.

The Upriver Lakes had an opening day shanty count of 640. Sturgeon taken from Upriver lakes numbered 275. There were 4,031 lottery applications and 490 Upriver licenses sold.

Brandy Lake Ice Fishing Contest

Fourth Annual Brandy Lake Ice Fishing Contest

Date: 2/28/09
Event Type: Fishing Tournament/Fisheree
Location: Brandy Lake (Cecilia)
State: Wisconsin
Details: Contest will start at 7:00 a.m. at the Brandy Lake Boat Landing and end at 3:00 p.m. at the Boat Landing. Five classes - 1st, 2nd & 3rd prizes for each class. Prizes include: Ice Augers, Portable Ice Shacks, Vexlars, Underwater Cameras, Cash and much more. Lunch will be provided at noon for all participants. Entry fee $25.00

Contact: Brad Schillinger (715) 614-6961

New regulation changes game fishing on Wisconsin River between Rhinelander and Kings Dam

RHINELANDER - A 22-mile stretch of the Wisconsin River from Rhinelander to Kings Dam will now be closed to game fish angling starting April 1, 2009 and reopen with the statewide opener on May 2. That section of the river -- which had been open in the past to fishing year ‘round -- is being closed to protect spawning game fish.

“This part of the river was once one of the most polluted in the state,” said Fisheries Manager Dave Seibel, “and closed seasons were not needed to protect fish that people did not want and weren’t plentiful. Since the passage of laws like the Clean Water Act in 1972 and other regulations, however, the river has made a dramatic comeback and the abundance of bass and walleye have increased along with fishing pressure.”

The regulation change now makes the section of the river consistent with most inland waters in northern Wisconsin. After April 1 and in the future, game fishing on the river will open the first Saturday in May and run through the first Sunday in March. Also applicable this year and in the future is a catch and release only season on bass from the first Saturday in May through the Friday before the third Saturday in June. After that the daily bag limit is five with a minimum of 14 inches.

The river portion included in the change begins at the Rhinelander Paper Mill (St. Regis) Dam down river to Kings Dam including Hat Rapids Flowage and Lake Alice.

Lake Winnebago sturgeon spearers harvest 53 Thursday

Contact(s): Ron Bruch, DNR Senior Fisheries Biologist, 920-424-3059
Tom Turner, DNR Public Affairs Manager, 920-662-5122

OSHKOSH – “Lake Winnebago spearers were happy to learn that the season on the big lake will likely go on for a couple of more days,” said Ron Bruch, Winnebago Sturgeon Biologist. Harvest caps on Lake Winnebago haven’t been reached with only 53 sturgeon taken on Thursday. According to Bruch, the slow harvest pace guarantees an open season on Friday, February 20 and he projects that the fishery may be open for the weekend crowd on Saturday.

“The best water clarity and success still remains in the northern half of the lake, especially off the Stockbridge and Quinney areas,” said Bruch.

Thursday’s numbers include 41 female sturgeon (10 juvenile females and 31 adult females) and 12 males. Harvest caps for the 2009 season are set at 350 juvenile females, 630 adult females, or 1,000 males. Currently, juvenile females are at 77.7% of quota, adult sturgeon are at 88.9% and males are at 76.5% of quota. Spearers need to harvest 27 more adult females to pop the 90% trigger closure, or 90 adult females to hit the 100% closure trigger on Lake Winnebago.

The largest fish registered Thursday was a 132.1 pound, 74.9 inch female registered at Jerry’s Bar Registration Station by Brett Ellis of Omro. The system-wide grand total now stands at 1,346.

The DNR’s sturgeon registration crew said spearers were grateful for the low temperatures during the past two days which improved the ice thickness and reduced the runoff into the lake. Earlier runoff, following nearly a week of moderate weather, reduced the water clarity, particularly at the southern end of Lake Winnebago.

Spearing continues on Lake Winnebago. The Upriver Lakes closed on Wednesday.

Total Harvest for the Day: 53
Total Harvest thus far for the Season: 1,346

Winnebago System Sturgeon Spearing Season 2009

Thursday, February 19. -Although the Upriver Lakes sturgeon spearing season closed yesterday, the season on Lake Winnebago continues on. Lake Winnebago spearers were happy to hear the season on the big lake will likely go on for a couple more days before harvest caps are reached. The slow harvest pace guarantees an open season tomorrow (Friday February 20) and the current harvest rate projects the fishery being open for the weekend crowd on Saturday. The best water clarity and success still remains in the northern half of the lake, especially off the Stockbridge and Quinney areas. Four more fish 100 pounds or larger were registered today bringing the season total of these trophy sized fish to 29. The largest today was a 132.1 pound, 74.9 inch female registered at Jerry's Bar Registration Station by Brett Ellis of Omro.

Click Here - to go to WDNR website for more information on the 2009 Spearing Season