Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report
This is my inaugural bi-monthly fishing report for the Wisconsin river area including Petenwell and Castle Rock lakes. My name is Bob Wilson owner of Gone Fishing Again Guide Service and I have been fishing or guiding this area for over 35 years, started with my grandfather at 6 years old. So let’s get started with the fishing report. As of today the dams from Nekoosa to the Castle Rock dam are open. I have been on the water and the temps from March 5th until now have changed in a range from 35 to 39 degrees. I will tell you this the water temp is going up fast. There are no big ice flows left in the river and all the ice is off of the big lakes. Water levels are just a few inches above normal and all boats ramps that I have looked at are good to go. Caution should be taken in the river from Nekoosa to Castle Rock Dam. There are a few rock water hazards you should have a good chip in your GPS or a good Hot Spot map. Baits we have been using are the old stand by jigs with Baitmate fish attractant and two or three inch minnows. A stinger hook is a must to up your odds. All colors for the jigs worked well for me. An old standby that has worked over the years is the number 4 bait holder hook with a number 4 or larger split shot, 12- 18 inches above the hook will work well. You should work all of the live bait rigs using your own techniques. Remember to take advantage of the river current. Live baits that we are using are large fatheads, large tuffys and mud minnows. Some of the soft tail baits that are working are the mister twister an old stand by and color did not matter. An old favorite used on the Mississippi river for over 25 years is the ringworm. Color is open to what you like. I go for blue or purple all day long. There are a lot of good soft plastics made today that are out there that will work very good. Now in the spring of the year in this river system do not and I will repeat do not overlook stick baits. When I say sticks bait I mean large #12 to 14 husky jerks. Original floating Rapalas in the #12-14 range. What I like to use are the large reef runners. All of the stick baits mentioned work well in shallow water along the shore line nite or day. When I say that I use these types of bait, this is what works for me. There are a large number of of different stick baits that work very well not only on the Wisconsin river and the Petenwell or Castle Rock Lakes but also on many different rivers or lake systems. Now with all the information and techniques I am passing on in my area. I hope this will also help you on your own lake or river system. As I have found out over the years that no river is the same they change every day and every year. Some of the local bait shops in the Petenwell and Castle Rock lakes area are, J.B. Sales 608-564-7400 on Hwy. 21 and County Hwy. Z on the Adams County side and on the Juneau County. At the base of the Petenwell dam Is Petenwell landing bait and tackle 608-565-7212. You can call or e-mail Bob at 608-403-1239 bobgonefishingagain@yahoo.com tylergonefishingagain@yahoo.com
