Joel DeBoer
04-06-2012, 08:19 PM
What a glorious spring it has been up to this point, even with the recent "cool down"! The angling opportunities for a variety of species remain solid, offering local anglers plenty of chances to perfect their hook-sets. As of today (04/06/12), the surface temperatures in the mornings have been ranging from 50-53 degrees on the fisheries here in Marathon County. Water temperatures in this range mean that large walleye and northern pike remain shallow, yellow perch are nearing the end of their spawning cycle for the season, and crappies are in pre-spawn mode often in solid numbers, around staging areas.
Presentations for springtime panfish such as crappies and yellow perch begin simply enough with live bait suspended under a float, as it has been the ticket of late. Anglers looking to cash in on this early season bite need to have an assortment of small Mustad hooks, split shot, and bobbers at the ready. In respect to live bait, both crappie minnows and fatheads have been working well for both species.
While the vast bulk of the pre-spawn crappie population is currently being found in depths of water from 10’-20’, the spawning perch are located in depths of water 4’ or less. Minnows suspended under a slip bobber have been productive for both perch and crappies and can be efficiently fished whether in shallow or deeper water; in addition, jigs ranging from 1/64 to 1/16 ounce, depending on the water and wind conditions, and tipped with a Mister Twister Nymph in black or yellow/brown are dynamite, and allow an angler to search an thoroughly to locate concentrations of fish, especially for those located in shallower depths.
Anglers looking to score with both northern pike and walleye, especially the largest specimens, would be wise to forego deeper water and target depths of 5’ or less. The largest northern pike and excellent numbers of legal and “slot” sized walleye continue to inhabit the shallower water of Marathon County’s Wisconsin River and her reservoirs. Shorelines, shallow bays, large flats, and gradually sloping points have all been holding fish as of late; the best part – few anglers have been targeting these fish. Shallow running crankbaits such as Rapala’s Shallow Shad Rap and the Storm Thunderstick have been working well for both pike and walleye; plastic swimbaits like the Berkley Hollow Belly Swimbait have been even more productive for both species. When rigging a swimbait, choose an option such as a Mustad swimbait hook. When paired with a 4”-6” swimbait body, these lures have been dynamite in a range of depths and structure situations.
The robins are chirping and the fish are biting – enjoy early spring, it’s a magical time! I’ll see you on the water…
Tight lines,
Presentations for springtime panfish such as crappies and yellow perch begin simply enough with live bait suspended under a float, as it has been the ticket of late. Anglers looking to cash in on this early season bite need to have an assortment of small Mustad hooks, split shot, and bobbers at the ready. In respect to live bait, both crappie minnows and fatheads have been working well for both species.
While the vast bulk of the pre-spawn crappie population is currently being found in depths of water from 10’-20’, the spawning perch are located in depths of water 4’ or less. Minnows suspended under a slip bobber have been productive for both perch and crappies and can be efficiently fished whether in shallow or deeper water; in addition, jigs ranging from 1/64 to 1/16 ounce, depending on the water and wind conditions, and tipped with a Mister Twister Nymph in black or yellow/brown are dynamite, and allow an angler to search an thoroughly to locate concentrations of fish, especially for those located in shallower depths.
Anglers looking to score with both northern pike and walleye, especially the largest specimens, would be wise to forego deeper water and target depths of 5’ or less. The largest northern pike and excellent numbers of legal and “slot” sized walleye continue to inhabit the shallower water of Marathon County’s Wisconsin River and her reservoirs. Shorelines, shallow bays, large flats, and gradually sloping points have all been holding fish as of late; the best part – few anglers have been targeting these fish. Shallow running crankbaits such as Rapala’s Shallow Shad Rap and the Storm Thunderstick have been working well for both pike and walleye; plastic swimbaits like the Berkley Hollow Belly Swimbait have been even more productive for both species. When rigging a swimbait, choose an option such as a Mustad swimbait hook. When paired with a 4”-6” swimbait body, these lures have been dynamite in a range of depths and structure situations.
The robins are chirping and the fish are biting – enjoy early spring, it’s a magical time! I’ll see you on the water…
Tight lines,