Phillips Area Panfish Action Never Better
By Professional Guide John Carlson
Wow! The panfish action has been hot in the Phillips area and it's not limited to one body of water but on almost all area lakes. The Bluegill population seems to be at an all-time high and the size structure is good as well. It's nothing to catch a meal of 8 to 9.5 inch gills in the area right now. The gills have moved in to the shallow areas of the lake to spawn and are easy to target. Look for them on sunny shorelines with wood or reeds. Fish them using simple light tackle. An ultra-lite rod/reel with 5 pound power pro, a #6 light wire hook, a small bobber and some waxies or panfish worms and your set to catch a fabulous meal.
I think that the spike in the panfish population is a direct result of the weed explosion from the last few years along with lake residents doing tree and brush drops along their shorelines. The extra cover sheltered and provided food for the young fish. More people are also being selective with their harvest of the fish and taking only what they need instead of "filling the freezer".
Pictured is client Nancy with one of the gills that she caught on a trip with us on 5/16/2012
For information on lodging, dining, entertainment and more outdoors, contact the Price County Tourism Department at 800-269-4505 or www.pricecountywi.net or connect directly with Kathy Reinhard at tourism@co.price.wi.us.
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
rossport@pctcnet.net
www.rosssportshop.com