The Cold Facts...This Fishing is Hot
By Jim Olsson
When you wake up on January 15th the first thought that comes to mind probably doesn't relate to getting your boat out or going fishing in it. Maybe it should, right here in our wonderful state of Wisconsin we have one of the premier Brown trout fisheries in the entire world, The Milwaukee Harbor. Even if you can only hit the water for a couple of hours, as was the case for me today, or if you can spend an entire day you have an excellent chance for success.
Milwaukee Harbor angler Jim Olsson often finds the brown trout and other Great Lakes fish willing to cooperate on a cold winter day.
Your quarry will be a voracious predator that can be taken with nearly any lure that you choose. My favorites are crankbaits, spoons, gulp and spawn sacs. Each type of lure will give you the ability to fish at a different level in the water column. Once you find out where the active fish are, stay put and hold on.
These fish are ultra-aggressive and can produce some spectacular strikes very near the boat as they pursue your lures.
It's not uncommon to drop a lure back down and have a pursue fish strike it. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the very delicate hits you receive as you drift spawn sacs right near the bottom.
My preferred rig for spawn is the wolf river rig. I use a #2 or 4 circle hook with a 1/2 ounce weight on a dropper. Regardless of your preferred method of tackle once hooked these fish fight like no other. Landing the common two to four pounders isn't too tough but when you tie into one of the numerous fish over ten pounds you are in for a treat.
Although browns in quantity and quality make fishing the Milwaukee Harbor more than worthwhile, rainbows and lake trout (season closed) can also be frequent visitors.
If you want to come out and fish the Milwaukee Harbor at this time of year please use all the precautions and safety gear available to you. While it is a very safe activity you are still in a boat in sub-freezing conditions and bad things can happen if you are unprepared.
Bring a bag of salt and a bag of sand to the boat launch in case it is icy. Bring a dry set of clothes and a towel in case the unthinkable happens and you fall in. Make sure you have all the required safety devices for Lake Michigan; this list can be found on the Coast Guard website. Above all, don't go alone, fishing is more fun when you’re with friends any way.
Jim Olsson,
Antler King Trophy Products
Pro-Staffer