On Wisconsin’s Rivers
By: Joel “Doc” Kunz
Private party panfish
Although far from being an avid ice fisherman, there are a few nearly unavoidable enticements that get me strapping on the creepers and preparing for a little ice action. Those are: perch and walleye on the Wolf River system and my favorite meal of fresh fish, bluegills, from anywhere. That’s right, I may not venture far and wide searching for the best ice walleye bite or head to perch fishing paradises around the Midwest, but a day filled with catching some nice sized bluegills—that gets me going.
Early ice is a good time to hit the lakes and backwaters in search of decent bluegill fishing. But more often than not, by the time I hear of the good bite, crowded fishing conditions usually turn off the fish or force them to move.
Access is also an important factor when it comes to my ability to ice fish. A very arthritic hip keeps me from being able to walk long distances, so I need to be with someone who has a snowmobile or four-wheeler in order to get to any remote location. In fact, if it’s over 200 yards, my hip says NO! The best case scenario is when the ice is good enough to hold a vehicle, but then, that’s not prime bluegill time. That is when the fishing for walleye on Lake Poygan might be tempting enough to get me out there and the reason why I fish the Wolf River in certain locations: easy, walkable access. I might also be talked into some perch fishing out on Lake Winnebago, and if Dale Stroschein calls, I probably will go to Sturgeon Bay to fish for walleye or whitefish. But that is it … unless it’s bluegills.
The author with a dandy "private party bluegill."
Knowing that some of the best bluegill fishing opportunities that can be had through the ice have limitations which make them inaccessible to many, I am glad to see that such a place as Bluegill Haven was born. A former commercial bluegill raising facility, my friend Roy came up with the idea after the downturn in the economy reduced the need for the fish by pond owners and restaurants. Roy was also reaching retirement age and didn’t want to start hiring people to help with the catching and transporting of the fish, especially with overall numbers down in the fish raising industry at the time. So he had an idea and sought out a local outdoor writer that he knew to talk about his dream. After all, for years people have been coming out to the property, especially during the winter, and asking for permission to fish the ponds known to be full of bluegill worth the moniker of being from Bluegill Haven. Now that will become a possibility as limited access will become available starting this year. There will be a small number of members who will be allowed to use the resource, along with youth groups and those working with the elderly and veterans looking for such an opportunity.
With a great population of bluegills to go after, including some over 12 inches, this should be a winter to savor my favorite table fare and meet some new people who will be getting the chance to enjoy something special that starts with a tub on the line.
What if there is no “Bluegill Haven” near you? Well, folks, no matter where I’ve been in the state, I have found some small private ponds, neighborhood ponds, farm ponds or even golf course ponds that have a strong population of bluegill in them. A little networking, a new friend, or knocking on a door and asking is usually all it takes. In most cases, owners are more than willing to let you remove a bunch of fish out of the pond.
Bluegill populations need to be trimmed in any enclosed body of water or they will become stunted and not grow to their full potential. So your taking some good eaters and some smaller fish, as long as they are filet-able, does the pond owner a favor. Your favorite electronics will help you locate fish, and if you do it right, you should fish in relative reclusiveness and have a great meal of fish to enjoy. Don’t expect it to be a cakewalk. The first few times I went to Bluegill Haven to test the waters, catch a few fish for pictures, and see for myself what it would feel like to fish in such a manner, fishing wasn’t easy. Same thing when I got the chance to visit some golf course ponds in Door County and my friend’s farm ponds near Waukesha. We had to move around a bit and change baits and jigs a few times until we figured out what they wanted to bite on. Then, just like any other body of water, changes in the weather, sunshine, or barometer turned them off like someone threw a switch. For me, that was encouraging because I didn’t want it to be like catching fish at a trout farm. There needed to be some challenge, which there was. There was also some reward as we caught beautiful bluegills that we enjoyed lightly breaded and pan fried until they were golden brown.
If you know of an older person or someone with limited mobility who doesn’t get out as much anymore to chase his panfish favorite, the bluegill, look to the small, local, and private ponds for an overlooked opportunity. Or contact me, Joel “Doc” Kunz, through my friend Roy at www.bluegillhaven.com.