Bluegill Fishing Southwest Wisconsin
By Wayne Morgenthaler
To be a good ice fisherman for the backwaters along the Wisconsin River from Spring Green to Boscobel takes a little preparation. I like to fish the sloughs in the spring and summer, as it gives me a chance to locate the best fishing. I have found that the fish will be there come winter and through trial and error you will find the fish. I also try to remember weed lines and the deepest water depths. If you don’t have the time, then stop at a local bait shop for good advice. Looking at a Google map or the DNR maps of the area helps you locate small ponds along the river. You will be surprised how many sloughs will show up.
Ice Fishing the Wisconsin River backwater in Richland County is productive and fun, with great scenery.
As for equipment, just about any ice fishing rig will work. The water tends to be not more than 10 feet in depth with most of it between five to eight feet. If you are fishing early or late in the season I like to take along a spud just to make sure the ice is safe. I like to use a vexilar just to get the level at which the fish are feeding at. The electronics also tells me if any fish are in the area. Jigs tipped with waxies or red worms are your best bet. Color can make a difference and this year green or white seem to be the hot attraction for a good bite. A tall five gallon bucket and a plastic bag are all you need to collect those pan fish.
As for the best fishing techniques, I have found that you need to vary your presentation. I usually start by jigging down slowly until I hit the bottom. This way if fish are suspended, you will know it right away. If nothing on the way down, I like to bounce my bait off the bottom to get some activity going. If I hook up on weeds, then I will move a little distance. Your best bet is to drill about 6 holes first and try each one for about 10 minutes. Just sitting in one spot is not going to catch you many fish if they are not very active.
Red worms are a little tricky to fish with, but I barely hook them with most of the worm just dangling. As soon as I detect a bite, I drop my bait to the bottom and count to three. Bluegills will take the bait and run if the worm sits on the bottom, then with a quick jerk you will catch them most of the time. Wax worms are a different story. I fish these two different ways. One method is to cover the entire hook and put the brown part of the worm on the hook first. The second way is to just hook the worm at one end and let it dangle. I like to fish with two poles with one having a wax worm and the other having a red worm sitting motionless. Cloudy days are the best with early morning or late evening being the peak periods. The late season can be great for big crappies as they are just below the ice. Early season brings good pan fish action as the sun sets. Always be careful of springs and areas where beavers keep the water open.
The most backwater lakes are located around Muscoda. The small lakes do have names, and if you go to the DNR website on lakes it would be worth your time to print them out. Most of the sloughs are owned by the DNR and have access roads. Stop in at the Mobil gas station in Muscoda for all your needs for ice fishing and a good sandwich. If you are on highway 14 just entering Spring Green, there is a nice bait shop located near Subway. Lone Rock has a bait shop located on highway 14 just past the gas station about a half mile. Some of the gas stations also carry live bait.