Richland County Fishing Report 8/18/14
By Wayne Morgenthaler
The water levels have been falling as we have not had rain for about 4 weeks. Fishing remains good for most of the county. Trout are biting on Panther Martin Spinners. I used a larger green and yellow spinner and landed a nice 17 inch brown. Also, caught some smaller trout on the same lure. Most of the trout are to be found in deep pools and fast running water.
The backwaters are providing excellent bass and pan fish action using a wax worm with some type 1/32 ounce white jig. Bass are liking top water baits fished along the lily pad edges or openings in the lily pads.
The Wisconsin River is very low now but fishing is good with a night crawler and egg sinker fished on the bottom. Look for dead trees along the shore line and anchor right next to them. I even like to bump the bigger logs which seems to wake up the fish.
If you are quiet along the trout streams at this time of the year, you will be able to see some nice bucks in velvet. The bucks seem to like to lay near water with high grass. I think the bugs are not so bad and less effort to get to water.
There is a nice bait shop in the middle of Richland Center that will give you plenty of good tips. The business is called the Huntin’ Shack and is located at 208 South Church Street in Richland Center. Store hours are 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 3 pm. The phone number is 608-647-0056.
If you want to fish the Pine River, I would suggest going to Rockbridge and floating down in a canoe or kayak. Make a call to Mark McCauley of Pine River Paddle and Tube (608-475-2199) or look him up on Facebook.
Picture of Kevin Morgenthaler with 36 inch northern