Fishing Reports

SPECIAL EDITOR'S NOTE: Don't forget that unlike most all other areas of Wisconsin, the walleye, northern and bass season on many of the waters in the Central Wisconsin area DO NOT CLOSE. You don't have to just settle for panfish! Check ahead to make sure the water you want to fish is indeed one of those that remain "open."

Ice anglers enjoying solid action from crappies, bluegills and perch, along with taking some nice walleyes and northerns. A few open water anglers are getting out below area dams and having some very good success jigging for walleyes -- all going on in...

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and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin's Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).

Warming temperatures have ice conditions in Central Wisconsin uncertain. Extreme caution is strongly urged!

The Central Wisconsin area is in a period of transition from ice to open water, which is a few weeks away. For sure, ice anglers MUST CHECK with local bait shops, the DNR, or a local guide for accurate conditions. Thinning ice areas and strong currents are becoming more prevalent by the day. Best suggestion is to hire a local guide who knows the area, and who will get you on and off the ice in safety, while putting you on plenty of fish.

Ice anglers who are getting out in the Central Wisconsin area have found the panfish bite to be great. Shallow backwater areas have been producing large numbers of nice sized fish. Crappies, bluegills and perch have all been very active. To target them, run a small minnow on a tip down about one foot off the bottom in 3 to 5 feet of water and jig with a small teardrop jig in red or green. Use a waxie for best results.

Walleye and northern ice anglers have been seeing quite a few nice fish in the Central Wisconsin area. Run tip ups in 2 to 5 feet of water, right on the weed edges. Run golden shiners or small sucker minnows right under the ice for best results.

A few anglers are getting out in open water below Central Wisconsin area dams, and are having some very good success going for walleyes. Walleyes are hitting jigs tipped with fathead minnows, dragged slowly on the bottom in 12 to 16 feet of water.

If looks like open water season in the Central Wisconsin area is only a few weeks away, so now is a great time to make sure that all of your open water gear is in top notch order. Don't wait until you're ready to go out and then find that your gear isn't working.

(This report based on interview with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee. Wisconsin).

For more information about fishing and hunting in the Central Wisconsin area:
* Phil Schweik, Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services: phone: 715-693-5843; e-mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz