Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report
Well this has been an interesting week. Water temperatures have dropped about 10 degrees from where they were last week at this time and the bite has really picked up. We are now seeing water temperatures in the low 70 degree range along with plenty of recent rain to help flush out the system.
Musky action has been very good with a great top water and BIG bucktail bite going on right now. We are finding most of our fish in 3 to 8 feet of water associated with the river channel edges and current breaks. For throwing those top-water baits and Big Bucktails I recommend a long heavy musky rod like the 8’ 6” ERX Heavy musky rod from Elk River Rods. This is by far the best musky rod that I have ever used.
We have been having a great week catching walleyes on the Wisconsin River. A lot of the fish are being found in 6 to 10 feet of water holding tight to submerged wood and structure. A weed-less jig and minnow or crawler is all you need to pull these walleyes from the cover. One note though is that as soon as you feel the strike set the hook are haul them out of the structure as quickly as possible or they will dive in, get tangled up, and snap you off.
If it is action you are looking for the panfish bite is about as good as it can get. We are catching lots of nice crappies and bluegills and some of them are real slabs. Most of these fish are suspended out over deeper water right now. We are finding most of the fish about 4 to 8 feet down while drift fishing the river channel edge in 12 to 16 feet of water. For bait we are running slip bobbers with tiny crappie minnows or a piece of crawler, but at times we are running Mini Mites or twister tails on tiny lead head jigs instead of live bait.
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Web: www.hooksetters.biz
Phone: 715-693-5843