Richland County Fishing Report—April 15, 2016
By Wayne Morgenthaler
Currently water levels are excellent for some early trout fishing. Current regulations require all trout to be released back into streams. Weeds and grasses have not grown up yet and this makes for better casting and traveling along the stream banks. With the up coming warm weather bugs should be coming out and making for some great fly fishing. If you are in to spinning rods, then I would be using small silver and gold Panther Martins. Cast upstream for best action and wade upstream to keep that low visibility. The Pine River, Willow, and Mill Creek are your major streams and provide good access along highways, county roads, and town roads.
The Wisconsin River remains high and the backwaters from Spring Green to Boscobel need about a week to warm up. Turkey season is now under way and looks good for opening week.
Crappie Shop located on the edge of Arena on Highway 14 is a great place for all your spring and summer fishing needs. Their address is 300 Dalogasa Drive, Arena, WI or you can call 608-753-2727 or email crappieshop@yahoo.com. They offer a wonderful assortment of live bait, catfish bait, and fishing lures for pan fish, bass, pike, trout, and catfish. They have the largest display of liquor, beer and wines in the River Valley area. They also carry groceries, apparel and pet supplies. If you want food while out on the river or backwaters, they offer an excellent take out menu, including a Friday all day fish fry. Give them a try, and I am sure you will make it one of your regular stops.