Midwest fishing report including Lake Winnebago
February 23rd, 2006 by Fishing admin
Midwest fishing report including Lake Winnebago
Ice : It’s back. The return of ice to many northern and western lakes led faithful reader Jim Reitmayer to crack that the February ice in 2006 is the “earliest ice we’ve ever had.” But use caution, especially on lakes south of the city. It’s late in the winter and the sun is much higher in the sky, which means making and holding ice is more difficult.
Lake Winnebago (Wis.) sturgeon spearing: Only 114 sturgeon had been speared through Monday. The season is expected to last the full 16 days, through Sunday, though moderating weather should bring more spearers out and should up the daily harvest. Lake Winnebago sturgeon biologist Ron Bruch noted that in 1992, a similar year with poor water clarity, only 186 sturgeon had been harvested through the first nine days, but the season total climbed to 526.
Area rivers : Brutally cold weather limited angler effort over the weekend. It’s been cold enough that guide Buster Culjan expects most sauger on the Illinois River to be back in the deep winter holes in 26-30 feet and on a jig bite. He expects the launches at Starved Rock and Peru to remain accessible.
Chain O’Lakes : Returning: Triangle reports plenty of fishable ice, but with some areas of open water. Bluegills are strong on Channel, while Pistakee has stripers and small walleye. There have been some good stripers and walleye on Marie, but that is one lake on which to use extreme caution. Pike good on Loon.
Cooling lakes/strip pits : Mainly unsafe ice will limit activity on the Mazonia/Mazonia South lakes. Braidwood should open as scheduled next Wednesday. LaSalle is set to reopen March 15; Heidecke April 1.
Downstate : Return of unsafe ice has limited fishing in many areas. Powerton reopened to boat fishing last Wednesday with a slow day for smallmouth. The weekend cold should improve fishing with increased current. Catfish have been steady in the back hot water.
Lakefront : Variable: It’s much the same. The perch take sorting for keepers. The difference is the ice that re-formed in virtually all harbors. By and large, consider the ice unsafe to ice fish on. Those who break holes from piers or find open water or open pockets are doing best. The stateline power plant at Calumet harbor would be one of the better shore options for browns, and maybe an early coho.
Madison, Wis.: Holding : There’s lots of snow on the ice from last week’s big storm, but getting around is decent. The bluegill fishing is holding on Waubesa, Kegonsa and Monona Bay, according to D&S Bait. Perch devotees might want to make a note, Mendota is sealing up. If the weekend cold snap solidifies things more, Mendota might yet offer some good ice fishing for perch.
Northern Wisconsin : Cold: Brutal cold limited weekend effort, but should pick up with more typical winter weather. Remember some 8,500 skiers will descend on the Hayward area for the Birkie this weekend. Minocqua area guide Kurt Justice said travel on lakes has much improved and that bodes well for weekend fishing contests.
Northwest Indiana : Waiting: The browns are stacked around all the discharges and many were taken last week before the cold snap. If the weather moderates enough, the Indiana discharges are among the best options for boaters, both for browns and early coho.
Dale Bowman