4/29/14 Price County Fishing Report
Well it's almost here, just a few short days and the 2014 Game Fish season opens in Wisconsin. As with last year the ice hung on to the end and in some areas of Northern WI the lakes are still ice covered but there are many opportunities for open water fishing in the Phillips WI/Price County area. As of Monday 4/28 Long, Elk, Duroy, Soo, Musser, Grassy, Pixley, Crowley, Lower Park Falls Flowage, and the Upper Park Falls Flowage were open and clear of ice. Some other area lakes like Wilson and Solberg were close to going out and I feel with the winds and rain that we are having there is a good chance that they will be open by the weekend or shortly after.
Because of the late ice out I would start looking for walleye in the shallow areas of the lakes close to or where they spawn. Look for rocky points, Creek and River mouths and rip-rap around bridges especially where there is some current flow. A small Jig and a Fathead minnow should work well and as the water warms try casting a stick bait like a Floating Rapala or a Smithwick, this will help you cover a bigger area while searching for the fish.
With a little sun look for fallen trees along the shorelines to load up with Crappie and Gills as they seek out the warmer water in the lakes. Usually a small jig and plastic like a Cubby or a jig and small minnow set shallow under a float works well at this time of the year. It might be a little early for this yet but it looks like there might be a chance of some sun for the weekend and into next week and that bite should start soon.
Good Luck on the water and be safe this weekend.
John Carlson-N.P.A.A. #378
Ross's Sport Shop & Guide Service
286 North Lake Ave
Phillips, WI 54555
715-339-3625
715-820-0958 mobile
W.W.I.A.
N.P.A.A.