Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 1-09-13
Solid ice on area lakes is making for great fishing for all species.
The walleye bite has been very good this past week with nice catches of fish coming from local backwater areas in 4 to 7 feet of water. Most of the walleyes are coming on tip-ups baited with golden shiners early and late in the day.
 |
 |
| A nice pail full of crappies and perch | A nice mess of panfish getting ready to be filleted |
Crappie action is outstanding right now and catching a pail full of slabs is not out of the question. Tip-downs baited up with tiny crappie sized minnows or jigging with tiny ice jigs like the Northland Mooska are working very well. Target depths of 12 to 18 feet and use your flasher unit to locate and work suspended fish.
For you guys targeting bluegills the bite has been very good especially on the larger 8+ inch gills.. Most of our action is still coming from shallow weeds in 3 to 5 feet of water but we are now seeing a few fish drifting onto the deeper shelves and adjacent flats.
 |
 |
| Brian from Appleton with a nice walleye. | Mike Loppnow and Brian with a nice musky that Brian caught on a tip-up |
We have been seeing some action from perch the past few outings and although it has not been limits, we are getting good numbers of some decent sized fish. Most of the action is coming from 10 to 14 feet of water while jigging tiny spoons and jigging Rapalas right near the bottom.
 |
 |
| Terry Woldvogel with a couple of jumbo perch | Terry Woldvogel with a couple of slab crappies |
Northern pike have been tearing it up this past week and we have seen some really nice fish. Most of our action is taking place in 4 to 8 feet of water while running our tip-ups baited with large golden shiners and medium sized (4 to 6 inch) sucker minnows. The key to having a great day over an average one is keeping your bait suspended well above the bottom. On most of our outings we are running our baits several feet off the bottom and in some instances even right under the ice.
Nick Laska with a nice Wisconsin River backwater walleye
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide
Hooksetters Guide Service www.hooksetters.biz
Ruttnut Guide Service www.ruttnut.com
Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots www.foodplotting.com