Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report
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It’s been another fantastic week in Central Wisconsin. With turkey season in full swing and fishing getting better and better daily it doesn’t get much better than this. The number one fishing topic this week has to be the OPENER. With the 2015 open water fishing season upon us, anxious anglers will be headed to their favorite locations in search of walleyes and pike, and in the southern zone muskies. With near perfect conditions predicted for this weekend it should be one of the best openers in years. Walleyes are done spawning in the Central Wisconsin area and have moved off to traditional late spring summer locations. Long line trolling with crankbaits over flats and along channel edges should produce well as will traditional jigging with 1/16th to 1/4 ounce jigs along shoreline areas and on break lines and humps. With water temperatures in the 50 degree range the crappies should be very close to spawning if they are not spawning already. Shoreline wood, brush and weeds will hold a vast majority of the fish right now and anglers tossing tiny crankbaits, spinners, or small jigs will tempt plenty of these fish into biting. One of the best methods we have found for targeting springtime crappies is by using a tiny Mini Mite jig suspended below a bobber. Musky anglers have been patiently waiting for the opener, some even since last fall. With virtually no other options for them to target muskies in Wisconsin short of heading to a southern state, they have had zero opportunities at targeting their featured species. Now is their time to get out and chase that old toothy critter. With the early spring we had most muskies will be in shallow locations near spawning grounds. Anglers looking at targeting muskies this week should be trying shallow locations with wood and weeds. I would suggest running small bucktails and twitch baits along with some smaller rubber baits. I like the Slippery Sam Jr. The 7 inch Suick and some of my smaller Bucher crankbaits to start out with. Slow and steady is the name of the game and persistence will pay off to the angler that puts in his or her time. When it comes to running smaller baits I would like to suggest using a little lighter tackle. I like the Daiwa Lexa 300 spooled with either 50 or 65 pound Power Pro or Cortland Spectron line. The Daiwa Lexa 300 is a smaller reel with plenty of line capacity and it’s great for handling big fish. For a musky rod I would strongly suggest looking at Elk River Rods: http://elkrivercustomrods.com/ Look at the ER 1 Musky in a 7’ 6” model. These rods run a little higher in price than some, but the quality and craftsmanship is unbelievable. I own several of these rods and they are my favorite ones. Turkey hunting has been very good this past week with hunters taking quite a few nice birds. Most of the action has been by hunters sitting along field edges, but a few savvy hunters have found locations along ridge lines and in swampy lowland areas. One thing I have found over the years is that if available, turkeys will roost over water. I believe it offers them a sort of security by not allowing danger to approach from beneath. Hunters that know this can take full advantage of these types of areas by setting up on nearby dry land where the birds launch or land when heading to and coming from their roosting trees. Don’t forget to log into Kwik Trip today or anytime this week for great offers, discounts and specials “usually free stuff” that you can receive on a regular basis. Please "Text KWIK to 75309” for special offers on your phone" Have a great week, Phil Schweik 
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