Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 4-4-2013
Plenty of ice still hanging on for ice fisherman as we enter April and the start of the open water walleye season on the river.
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| Hooksetters Guide Phil Schweik with a couple of nice crappies through the ice. | Hooksetters Guide Adam Rasmussen and John Sparbel with some nice open water walleyes. |
We are still catching lots of nice gills and crappies from area lakes and backwater areas off the river. Most of the fish (both crappies and gills) are in 6 to 10 feet of water. We are running tiny ice jigs tipped with waxies or spikes along with plastics in purple and red. The key to consistency right now is to have flasher unit to locate them as the fish are sporadically suspended throughout the water columns.
Most walleye anglers are now searching out open water for their quarry, and as the season progresses the bite is only going to get better. Right now water temps are in the mid 30 degree range, but a couple of warm days along with some rain and the water temps will jump right up and we will be into a full swing walleye spawn. For now target water depths of 8 to 14 feet for action. Afternoon periods have been better as the water has had time to warm up throughout the daytime. Jigs tipped with fathead minnows have been our best bait.
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| Hooksetters Guide John Sparbel with some nice open water crappies. | Kevin Munson from Madison with a couple of nice open water walleyes. |
For you turkey hunters out there, this season looks like it could turn out to be one of the best on record. Even with the heavy snow falls we received and with winter hanging on for what seemed like forever, the numbers of remaining birds is staggering. Do your scouting and look for feeding grounds to be the number one location for targeting birds early in the morning and try targeting known roosting areas in the evening as the birds head to rest.
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