Iron Mining, Deer Hunting Forums & Fremont Walleye Fishing
3-12-2012
Two items came across the On Wisconsin Outdoors wire from DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp that we’re linking to on this website under “Outdoor News”. The first, regarding the Iron Mine proposed for far northern Wisconsin that died with the ballot this week, sends the message that politics have become more important than getting things done for Wisconsin’s citizens. The second spotlights 35 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Forums being held in March.
Talked to Gary Chikowski, who own Chico’s Landing at Orihula four miles south of Fremont on the Wolf River. Anglers have been on a partly iced river since March 1st and catching lots of small fish. All ice is gone as of today, March 9.
“There are 15 boats on the river in front of Chico’s Landing right now,” he said. “All of them are catching fish.”
 Gary Chikowski, owner of Chico’s Landing on the Wolf River, anchors over a sandbar and pumps jigs and minnows downstream to catch four walleyes on the Wolf as the sun sets. Ellis, shown being tutored by Chikowski, caught a cold. |
 Tom Stuebs of Weyauwega and Brian Troedel of Iola land another beautiful Wolf River walleye Thursday during the peak of the spawning run. |
According to Chikowski, March came in on the Wolf with lots of “little walleyes in the 8 to 12 inch class and lots of limits”. “Three boats came in with a limit of 40 walleyes (14 inches and up),” he said. “My son and a partner were out drifting and caught 30 to 40 walleyes with six keepers and a lot of little ones.”
Chikowski likes to fish at night by double anchoring on a sand bar and pump fishing. We’re linking here to “Inland Fishing” and a column with photos I wrote with Chikowski using the tactic in 2011. Despite me being in the boat…we caught fish. I mean… he caught fish. In 2012, the last two nights he has been on the sand bar twice, with nine walleyes caught each night, including six egg swollen females between 18 and 22 inches. Chikowski and most of the anglers around here are big catch & release guys.
The run will be strong and big fish part of the routine by the end of the month, Chikowski predicts. In addition to accurate walleye run information on a daily basis, Chico’s Landing at 920-446-3345 offers boat rentals and two cabin rentals located right on the Wolf.
“We need rain,” Chikowski said. “The river is lower than summer-time low. WE need some current to draw the fish in.”