Oak Creek Power Plant / Bender Park/ Boils

[yatch]

Just wanted to start a new thread for Bender, I couldn't find one. This is usually one of the hottest open water spots in the area. Fished it last week Wed. both with boards and cranks and minnows. Worked the warm water areas and went only 2 for 6 on browns with bright colored fast tracks. Left the plant area and went to the boils. Marked fish but unable to get them to go with minnows. I think the water has to get a little cooler for numbers of bigger fish. Lake water was still 37-38 degrees. I'll be down there tomorrow working cranks and spoons. The Milw. harbor is got to be a little to muddy right now. What do you think.

The last time there I noticed guys working the wind point area anyone have info on this?

Yatch:D

[yatch]

Went down to the power plant to do some trolling for those browns that should be there. Trolled cranks from 7ft. of water out to 20ft. worked the top 15 ft. or top 5 with out a bump. Lotsa warm water to 51 degrees. A little stained near the plant but no big deal. Worked the discharge area with whistlers and tails without a sniff. Went down to the boils with minnows for an hour or so, zilch. This warm weather my be a blessing for getting out and fishing but I have noticed that the water temp on the pond has actually gone up a couple of degrees. Apparently this may not be a good thing for the catching part of fishing.:confused: I guess I am like most fisherman and have found a way to blame it on the weather. Next time.

Yatch :D

[BigMusky]

still some floating ice packed in the launch lanes this AM....opening in breakwall and "harbor area" is open otherwise.

[Eric Haataja]

Made it out once this past week and crushed the browns and some nice fish at the Power plant discharge using zips, jigs and plastics with gulp and minnows. Lots of fish there now!!!!!

Eric

[John S]

Great site guys!

We're planning on being at the launch tomorrow at 6 am. Hopefully, we won't have to shovel or chop ice to get in. Be sure to stop by and say "hi" if you see a green Sylvan.

[brewcityfishr]

did you guys make it out today? how was the launch? thanks

[John S]

Locked in tight as of 6am Satutday.

[yatch]

[B]Went down to Bender yesterday (Wed.) Light west wind, upper thirties, harbor ice is all gone, this is going to be a great day. WRONG, got to the launch at 9:30AM and two trollers were pulling out. They did not have a bite in two hours of pulling sticks or spoons. Water is all dirty from recent rain both in and a good distance out. One of the guys said he spent some time throwing cleos around the discharge but zilch. (hum, what would Eric do when confronted with this) Oh well, I'll be back soon. :D

[Eric Haataja]

I would try to find clear water, and at times it does not matter the fish are there in the dirty water but tougher to catch. Dipseys and small dispeys seem to work better for me in those conditions. Lots of times you have to move way south or north to find active fish in the clearer water or out in the deeper water.

Better luck next time.

[irishqone]

Eric is right, clear water or not fish are usually there, just not as active.
I probably fish this area 80-120 days a year. No boat right now:( Very seldom do you get skunked with a West wind. Try the Dipsy or far back on lead core.

Eric, I received a Eric H guided trip for Christmas:D I'll get in touch soon.
Good Luck to all!
Jim

[yatch]

Looking for info on conditions at the launch at Bender, after these warm days it should be a go if the east winds stay away. Would like to hit it tomorrow morning. Wed. or Thur. I'll spend time with sticks, etc near the plant and minnows at the boils. I'll give a report for you hardy souls that are thinking about it for the week end. :D

[yatch]

Worked the warm water discharge water at the plant with cranks and spoons went 7 for 9. Worked minnows with spinning rods and took another 10 fish. Biggest about a 10# female. Great day, boy that soft water feels good.

My fishing buddy was really happy with this beauty taken on 6# and lite spinning gear.

Yatch :D

[BigMusky]

Good to hear Bender is open...I used work over there and would have liked to give you report on status of launch, but I do not make my way down there very often anymore.

[yatch]

Lite west winds and 50 degrees. We had to go back. Boated another 20 silver bullets, I mean brown trout. All on minnows, no trolling today. Most fish are running 2 - 4# some smaller and some larger. What more can I say.

Yatch:D

[brian1785]

Is it hard getting out of Bender? I mean is it really shallow at the mouth of the harbor? Thanks for any information.

[yatch]

[B]Stay to the right as you go out of the gap. Trim motor way up. It comes up to about 1.5 ft. but it is sand. Should be no problem. There is a sign in a barrel by the ramp. Look at it, the rocks shown are dangerous. As soon as you get out of the Gap a short distance go east and your home free.

Yatch

[Eric Haataja]

Fishing has been awesome down here both on the boils and by the plant trolling and live bait rigging.

Eric

[Eric Haataja]

Talked to my buddy who fished the plant yesterday and they just killed the browns and steelhead over 100 fish in about 4 hours with 2 boats fishing spinning tackle. He said trolling was kinda slow but the fish were piled in at the shoots.

Eric

[yatch]

Went 8 for 12 this morning all browns on cranks and spoons. Nothing at the boils. N/E winds yesterday and S/E today may have something to do with it. Water temp up to 38 degrees. AS high as 45 degrees near the plant discharge.

Yatch :D

[irishqone]

Finally the wind let up a bit. Got out this A.M. by 6. Shot out to 30 fow put rods in. Nothing. Went to the Plant was pretty clear. Got one 3lb. Brown in the current casting a spinner and a Gulp minnow. Slow here too. Checked with the camera for awhile and saw nothing but rocks. Went back out to troll, nothing near the plant. Moved to Grant Park area and got 4 Browns. Three were 3-5lb.s and the other was 10-12lb.s about 28inches. Only got a pic of the first one at the plant though, camera will not hold a charge in the cold it seems like. It was cold. All fish trolling were on large glow spoons behind Dipsys. Stopped back at the plant before home and it was really muddy. A big Barge was just brought in.

Good Luck and Good Fishin'
Jim

[luv2fish]

How long does the bite at the power plant usually last?? Doesn't usually end around spring time?? I got a new (to me) 17.5 ft crestliner that im itching to get out in but its gonna be a couple weeks for the portering service..:(

[irishqone]

Seems to be slowing down already for Browns. There are always fish there somewhere. Just depends on the timing and water temps. I did better trolling off of Grant last weekend. I've been doing even better just South of the South Gap for Lakers. See you when you get the new boat out.

[T-Bone]

I only have a 16 ft boat so I pick and choose my days to fish safe. Launched @ 5am from Bender Park 6/14 fished in 40-50ft of water. Marked a lot of fish chasing bait fish. One bump that hit green fly on a dipsy, other than that I had a great day talking guy stuff with my brother!
t-bone over and out

[T-Bone]

I am new to the area and have been watching your posting and learning as much as you guys care to post! Thanks for the info for a 55 year old rookie! Am I better off going to Launch at So Shore and trying that area because I seem to be crappin out off Bender. I only have a 16 ft x-tra wide deep v and know I have to pick and choose the days but it sure would be nice to tie into one of those big honkers! Thanks again guys!
T-bone over and out

[irishqone]

Got out this morning and it was a bit rough. NE wind made for a short trip. I took out a crew member of the Dennis Sullivan and he got one 20lb.ish King early in 50fow and that was it. Got the fish on white flasher and aqua fly off a board 120 loc. That set set-up has my last 4 fish, all over 16lbs., in the last 4 days. Happy 4th and thank a vet, old and young!

Good luck and good fishin'
Jim

[T-Bone]

I found that I would have to go a lot further out @ Bender than I cared with my boat, so I started fishing S Shore. The Green Can has been very good to me. Using Dipsys and a green/blue fly I have taken some nice chins/did some perch fishing by the wall on the south end south of the marina and did fair w/minnows # 10 gold hook with a small piece of plastic just enough to cover the eyelet where the line is tied to the hook! tight lined over the side was the best slip bobber did not fair as well but was ok!
Take care!
T-bone-over and out!

[irishqone]

South Shore Park's launch will be closed for the Frolic's from 12:00 midnight on Wednesday until 12:00 midnight on Sunday night according to a sign in the lot this morning. The bait shop is closed too.

I trolled this morning from 4-8 and only managed one Brown. I stayed close because it was windy and marked a lot of fish, but not many takers. I decided to pull it in and head to Bender for Perch. Got some bait at the new place in South Milwaukee and hit the Powerplant. In about 30 minutes I caught 18 and kept 5 over 11.5, biggest was 13.25. Not too bad. It looked like others were doing well too. Tails on the bottom was good for me.

[T-Bone]

I was thinking about going out of s shore Sunday glad you mentioned that! Sat I'm Feeding my son's Army Unit that is returning from their 2 week AT thanks again for the info, I'll have to find out where that darn boil is never fished it!
thanks again
t-bone over and out!

[irishqone]

They are biting. We did well using spinners and tails. OCPP 9-11 A.M. Caught 50-60 and 2 goby. We kept 10 nice ones for a fish fry. Finally a summer like day.
:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):) :):):)

[bswan98588]

Can anyone point me in the direction of the public fishing near the Power Plant? A "friend" gave me directions which lead me to the Plant........course the security guard wasn't quite so friendly!

[T-Bone]

I don't know of any public areas right by the P P that can be fished from shore. I see a lot of guys fishing the rocky areas aty Bender but never by the p p w/o a boat!
Lot of guys fish off the walls down by So Shore Yacht club on the south side towards the Coast guard station/used long poles--even the perching boats were fishing by the walls.
T-bone over and out!

[Eric Haataja]

Just giving you guys a heads up there's a ton of browns in bender Park now and they are pretty easy to catch with spawn, skein tubes and waxies, along with casting spoons.

Early mornings are always best for action!

[luv2fish]

Thanks Eric...I live like 5 minutes from there, will have to give it a shot....

Quick Question...When does the fishing at the power plant usually pick up???
I know it should be sometime soon....

[Eric Haataja]

usually Late October into November

[Eric Haataja]

Still getting good numbers of browns from shore in Bendor on small chartruse spawn sacs.

[luv2fish]

Fished this morning from 6ish till 9...Caught one brown and missed another... Spawn sacs (chart) 2-4 ft down is what took the fish, no hits on jig n waxies...Seen a couple other fish caught...

Good Luck,

Ryan

[brookiereleaser]

Hey all,

i would like to try around bender area this week,

What i need to know is,

where are the landmarks, '

the boils, the shoots , and the green can , or anything else "the pump?"

i have never found a map that shows this stuff can somebody help me out

[Eric Haataja]

Stay in the harbors most of the browns are there.....Sure there some by the boails which is just north of bender park about 1/2 mile up the shore line out in about 20 feet of water off of the filtration plant can't miss it if it;s calm. The power plant would also be o.k. but most of the browns are up the rivers or in the lowrer harbor. That hard part is figuring out hot to get them to bite!

Once you do that is should be a done deal!

Try Racine at the harbor, or Mckinnely, or the summerfest lagoon by the piers. Lots of fish all over now. Talked to my buddy who caught 18 browns today so the bite is going good!

Best of luck

[luv2fish]

When you launch at Bender the power plant is South and the Boils are North...You can't really miss the power plant but make sure you head east for a 100-200 yards before you go south as there is a BIG boulder between the launch and the power plant...The boils are a little harder to find, when you launch head north and look towards shore for the water filtration plant ( the two big white spheres)...The boils are straight east of the filtration plant and you will be able to tell when you find them as you can see the water "boiling" on the top of the surface... If you look back either on here or on Lake Links Bender thread somebody was nice enough to give gps coordinates to the boils those should help you out too:):):)

As for the "pump", i have no idea what your talking about....sorry:confused::confused:

[luv2fish]

DAMN!!

You beat me to it Eric...:D:D

[brookiereleaser]

thanks alot guys, i think ill probly just stay with the mckinley area this week then , although ive been curious about the power plant for a while, i guess i can wait on that.

I saw fish still along the iron walls down at the marina , it would either be dead on the locator , and then bam started going crazy with fish all over,

my question would be do you guys tend to try and find fish by sight or on locator and follow them around or do you just find a spot that you normall like and fish it in the hopes something will pass through,

i think my lack of success lately has been due to kinda staying around a general area and not searching. When you guys fish milwaukee do you regularly hit many main areas of the harbor etc or just pick a spot to focus on. I feel like i get stuck fishing a place, ill go to summerfest or sailing center and never am like well i wonder what its like over there. oh well , im just learning

thanks

oh and eric i ordered a few of your episodes on waters and woods that i missed, cant wait to get them in the mail, always enjoy your shows

[yatch]

Went out of Bender on Tues. morning. Went to the boils first. Nada, not pumping and no fish present. Water was only 3 degrees over lake temp. Went over to the plant and worked the warmer discharge water trolling spoons and cranks. I could see schools of browns (2-4# class) moving around in front of the boat. Not a hit. I stayed in 6 to 10 ft. were the warmer water was. Anchored for awhile and threw crocs and soaked some minnows, nada. O well it was a nice day with 74 degrees and a lite s/w winds. Lake water was 50 and highest discharge temp I found was 55. A little to early. Next time. :rolleyes:

[blitzfish]

A bad day of fishing is always better than a good day at work... unless your Eric Haataja!!!:p

[Eric Haataja]

Still a decent bite at bender and racine for brwons some days it's really good other days it's a struggle to land a few. Small chartruse spawn sacs and jigs is doing the damage!

[brookiereleaser]

eric,

will the brown fishing slow down on the lake now or will the type of fishing/location just change.

Are they eventually going to move back into the main harbors more this fall yet before it freezes over where you would be better off trolling , or will they stay in close and be better off fishing stand up for these guys,

I plan on hitting bender/oak creek power this weekend will post how it goes

[Eric Haataja]

Bender is a great bite typically every fall it usually starts in ocotber and last throught december but the bite can change in a hurry here from fantastic to slow.....if the wind waves and chocalte mil pours into the harbor. Bender is totally over looked by the majority of brown trout fisherman. Probably the best small harbor for sheer numbers in the state. It's such a small harbor and the browns pile in there like anywhere else but there a lot more here. Milwaukee, and Racine are also good spots with the boat ramp in Racine and lower river (Azarions and 6th Street) being the better area's in racine for browns. Milwaukee will also have fish piling up at the discharges, Mckinnely marina the summerfest lagoon, South Shore and Jones Island.

The rest is just getting them to bite!

Best of Luck!

[brookiereleaser]

went out this afternoon for a few hours....

About 10 or so people fishing bender.

Tried just about everything, gulp, spawn, spoons, tubes w/e.

Only saw one fish on the pier some guy caught earlier. Nobody else hooked up while i was there. There were some browns surfacing and thrashing around, big ones too, but no takers.

Water outside the harbor was reallly rough, eric did you mean that when its rough and the water becomes choc milk that it usually makes things shut down, ? because if you did then that certainly appeared to be the case today, water was very murky and it looked like deadliest catch outside the wall.

good luck all

[Eric Haataja]

I know Steve and C Bangler got 12 or 13 today down there so the fish bite today.

[Finseeker]

I heard the bite was great on Friday but you wouldn't have known by Saturday. I got skunked after 4 hours of work, I saw several regulars down there and they didn't catch anything either.

The water was murky and ice was packing in to the North West corner of the harbor blocking lots of real estate. Not many jumpers either. Guys coming off in boats did pretty well I heard.

Here are some pics from the previous Saturday.

[Finseeker]

More pics from Saturday the 15th

[yatch]

Lite south west wind, end of Nov. 38 degree water and 45 degree air. The only thing missing were the fish. Boils and discharge with minnows, trolling cranks, spoons etc. Nada. Talked to others at the launch same story. Even the shore fisherman. Guess I will have to wait for Feb. for a decent bite. At least a dozen other boats out there also.:confused:

[Eric Haataja]

Power plant is Hot right now I made it out this past week before they locked the gate and fishing was very good in by the pumps at the plant. We caught all our fishing with gulp and jigs and most fish were 6-10 lbers and good action almost all day. It will be a while more than like for them to open up the park again with all this snow????

We also fished the boils and never had a bump! thw water was much clearer in by the power plant and we were the only boat there!

[yatch]

Anyone know if the launch is open. I was hoping with this warm weather I would be able to get out. I'll make some calls to see if I can find out also.

[Eric Haataja]

Yes I beleive it is open, the waves will screw it up for about 4-5 days though after tomorrow...... The bite was really good down there about 2 weeks ago!!

[Eric Haataja]

Good bite now out of bender with lots of fish coming trolling up around the power plant and the boils. Launch is open.

Eric

[cheddermelt]

Eric,

Was wondering if there is any ice to fish on and if the water is murky? Thanks for the info!

chedder

[yatch]

Fished out of Bender on Monday One launch open, harbor and surronding area all good to go. Went right to the boils, boated two small browns, very little discharge marked very few fish. Went to the plant and anchored for awhile outside the shuts. Warmest water we found was only 41 degrees. Building waves sent us home early. All minnows no trolling this trip. Nice being on soft water again but a little early for a good bite. Thanks Eric for the heads up on the launch. I'll be back soon. :D

[Eric Haataja]

From what I hear the trolling bite is going well down there now and a decent live bait bite as well.

[Eric Haataja]

My buddy did pretty decent out of bender today trolling so the bite is still going pretty good there, they did well way south of the power plant up shallow.

[luv2fish]

How long does the bite typically last down there?? I have a week off of school in 2 weeks and am ITCHIN to get the boat out...

Oh by the way, congrats on the seminar today Eric... i heard it went well. I had to work in the morning but was able to make it to the last 2 seminars...

[driffter]

Bite should be really good for the next month or so. I've fished well into april with very good success.
a side note. Planning on going down tomorrow, can anyone tell me how the launch looks after the snow. THANKS

[luv2fish]

Just drove down there for the first time since fall...Man those piers took a BEATING!!! There was a little ice in the harbor area but it looked launchable...A bunch of ice out on the lake also...Once we get a decent west wind or any kind of warm up it should be good to go!!!

[Fish Tales]

O.K. guys, I've seen the reports and understand that Bender's harbor is good for Browns during the fall, but two questions:

1) How is the fishing for Browns here during the late winter/early spring? I've got some quality cured spawn that I will be tying sacks from, and another rod set up with a white tube jig under a slip bobber.

and...

2) How do they do here on Perch during the summer?

Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to message me.

Thanks,

Fish Tales

[yatch]

Should be a good to go down there for Friday morning. Can anyone confirm that? I'll post when I get back. :D

[luv2fish]

Just got back from Bender....Ice moved in, no chance of launching...Not sure what they are callin for weather but ya better hope for west winds, rain, or both...

Im headin up to the dells for a couple days to chase the walters :):)

Good luck guys,

Ryan

[driffter]

What's the ice conditions at bender? Is it go time for the boat? I'm ready

[deno b.]

I was down there yesterday and there still was alot of ice in the lagoon. 4inches in some spots.

[luv2fish]

I would ASSUME after todays rain we should be good to launch, the water will probably be muddy for a bit though...

This is only my guess, if i get down there ill let you know for sure if its open or not...

[BigMusky]

let me know launch conditions when you get down there...I am taking boat out this weekend no matter what...just trying to decide best place with all the rain we got.

[Eric Haataja]

It should be perfect by now with the west winds!

[luv2fish]

You wouldn't have been able too launch yesterday...Half of the lagoon was open and half had snow/ice yet and there was ALOT plugged up at the mouth...If i get back down there today ill let you know...good luck..

[luv2fish]

Second stop today was bender and i hate to say it but there is still alot of ice in there...I was looking to get the boat out tom. but i think i will be waiting...I will say that there were three trailers in the lot but guys, trust me there is ALOT of snow/ice still...As i was driving down i saw two guys w/ a 16 ft aluminum boat and they were dragging it across the ice towards the mouth. The ice was thick enough for them to stand on AND drag their boat across...If thats how you intend on launching then sure, go ahead and launch but i think ill be waiting a bit...

Wish i had a camera....

[BigMusky]

thanks for the update...I would have hated to drive down there with boat and have to deal with that.

[andyj]

Second stop today was bender and i hate to say it but there is still alot of ice in there...I was looking to get the boat out tom. but i think i will be waiting...I will say that there were three trailers in the lot but guys, trust me there is ALOT of snow/ice still...As i was driving down i saw two guys w/ a 16 ft aluminum boat and they were dragging it across the ice towards the mouth. The ice was thick enough for them to stand on AND drag their boat across...If thats how you intend on launching then sure, go ahead and launch but i think ill be waiting a bit...

Wish i had a camera....

I don't blame ya, that is nuts!

[Eric Haataja]

I know Capt Mike Richow launched his 2025 Lund with a 250 today and they caught fish....if that helps any...it's not easy but you can do it and there's enough room to get out with out breaking ice.

[luv2fish]

Yeah, i saw his trailer parked....Big white truck right?? Im hoping with the few people that are plowing through the ice it will loosen up and push out. But right now its a little much, at least for me...

Good Luck

[Gerry]

I got out this morning from bender park in the kayak... there was a lot of ice in the harbor, but the 7 boats launching ahead of me cleared the way:).

It was great exercise paddling to the plant and back, and a nice day out (flat water), but I didn't have much luck with the fish. A couple hits raised my pulse but no fish in the boat. I was trolling shad raps and J-11s, two behind planer boards & one line straight back with 1 color of leadcore.

I did manage to hook my PFD from behind, twice, which reminded me that I'm not as flexible as I used to be. Unhooking a big treble stuck in nylon in your back while trolling in a kayak is something I hope to not do again.

Fish or no fish, any day out there beats a day just thinking about it!

Gerry

[luv2fish]

Dad just got back from a drive by and said there were 10 trailers in the lot and the lake looked nice!!!

FINALLY!!!:D:D:D

[luv2fish]

Started out fishing the PP w/ minnows but the chutes weren't pumpin too good, nothin...Strolled over to the boils and the boils weren't boilin...Only brought 2 trollin rods with (expecting to be fishing with live bait) and ended up catchin 1 nice brown and missing 2 or 3 more...Fish hit stinger sized monkey puke and rogues....Wish i would've brought the rest of the trollin rods...oh well...Ill throw up a pic. sooner or later...

Good Luck

Ryan

[yatch]

Launched out of Bender at 7 am Sat. morning. WEnt to the boils zilch, only found a 2 degree rise near the boils. Ran over to the plant and the whole harbor was was mud stained. I worked small area of relatively cleaner water with out a bump. Did see a couple of fish taken on cranks but not mine. South east wind was not a good thing. Next time. :D

[Fish Tales]

Can anyone tell me whether or not the ramp to the longer fishing pier in the Bender Park launch basin has been repaired and connected? Last time I checked the longer pier (north) was an island. Looked like the connecting ramp to the shore had been ripped away by winter storms. I know you can climb on the rocks to fish that area, but it's a lot easier to use the piers. I'm not 18 anymore. Hoping to get some Browns before they move out for the summer. Thanks.

[deno b.]

Fish Tales- I was down there yesterday and no work has been done. I would imagine that, weather permitting, they should be starting the work soon. The water was really muddy also.

[Eric Haataja]

Browns showing up in Bender Park in the weeds, and lots of browns some kings and coho's at the plant by the discharge.

[John S]

Eric,

Do you think all this east wind will mess things up at the chutes?

[Eric Haataja]

For a few days at least, looks like things are going to go north west with the wind come Friday evening. so Sunday or Early next week will be good again if it stay west. In about 10 days it won't matter fish will be there regardless of the temps.....

Eric

[deadeternity]

Some of the fish are turning colors already, I caught a darker fish off of McKinley today so, it is early but the spawn is coming faster then week think.....

[Eric Haataja]

Fish always tend to get dark in August I've seen dark fish already in July. The main spawn will still be around the same time late Sept and first few weeks of Ocotber.

It's not uncommon to see dark fish in August. Ecspecially late August like this, I'm sure there's a few stragglers up in the river as well, the pike had a good bunch of fish go up it.

[Fish Tales]

Spent 2 1/2 hours on the pier inside the launch basin fishing with spawn sacks under slip floats. Caught one young Rainbow right before I left...released. Noted a number of fish jumping, most seemed to be Smolt sized, with a few larger ones mixed in.

[pink ugly stick]

Fish are in the Bender Park Boat Lauch Area. Saw some people yesterday casting with silver spoons. Fish were jumping but didn't see any biting. Some were nice size. Alot of bait fish right along the shoreline.

[Fish Tales]

I was one of them. Even got there early, early hoping to take advantage of the darkness, since everything being caught by on shore guys right now seems to be at night. I can second the fish presence, but they just are not eating anything we were offering. Six guys there with me during the morning, no one had a hookup. Thought we might need a weather or wind change to get things fired up???

[Fish Tales]

Had planned to fish elsewhere last Friday morning, but those plans changed at the last minute, so I decided to put some time in at Bender just for the heck of it. Pretty much got what I expected, with water temps easily in the mid-60's. Few fish jumping here and there in the middle of the basin but none seen on a walk around the piers. Don't think I'll bother again with Lake Michigan until we get some COLD temperatures and west winds. Lack of rain has curtailed any activity in the rivers. The only thing going that I know of from shore is being had by the guys who are going out in the dark and casting with glow spoons to the Salmon held hostage in the harbors by low water levels. Took a look at the Root Friday afternoon and there are berms of gravel and rock in places TWO FEET HIGH blocking anything from making its way upriver, even if they wanted to. For the record, fished from 7:30-9 a.m. with zero results. I would expect it to be better by October 1.

[pink ugly stick]

Bender Park Launch area was dead, no real action. I'll keep you all posted as our fishing improves. Oak Creek needs a Big Rain. I also went down to Mckinley Pier and saw several people trying to fish but only 1 fish caught in hours. The odds right now are not very good from the shore. No wonder John Gillespie drove 12 hours north to Andy Myers Lodge to find some fish.
:( no fish.

[pink ugly stick]

No boats in water at Bender Park, no trailers in parking lot either and nobody fishing off the piers this morning, Monday 9/28/09. It was quiet and no fish were jumping. Oak Creek had about 15 people fishing this morning. The water levels were higher than they have been and the current was very fast. Everyone was ready but NO FISH YET coming up the creek yet.

[pink ugly stick]

10/4/09 update. 5-6 guys on the piers fishing at Bender Park between 4pm-7pm. The water was calm and no fish around. Many hopeful fishermen came down by the lauch to check things out, only to leave disappointed and not even try. One of the guys that was at Bender was seen over at the Oak Creek Parkway Dam-Grant Park. He was skunked at both locations. There had to be 20+ people fishing the hole by the dam. They had a better chance of catching a fish at Pick-N-Save. Others were in their waders walking up and down the creek and it looked like they were having a good time splashing in the water. Not much happening on the south side of town. What's going on with the fish this year? :confused:

[Fish Tales]

Not sure if this is your answer, but I've heard the mean temperature along the lakeshore is still around 63 degrees. Hard to believe with all the west winds we've been having, and the cold nights. Colder water will bring the Browns in, if I am not mistaken. Perhaps smarter anglers than I can weigh in with their thoughts.

[pink ugly stick]

I try to keep you all updated, Today at 8:30am 10/8/09 at Bender Park Launch. No boating activity, No trailers in Parking Lot, One guy fishing since 6:00am and still waiting for a bite. Weather was cloudy and not raining. Down by Oak Creek/Grant Park, about 5-7 guys near the dam and 1 guy down the creek. No real action happening. I went down by the first bridge and watched for any movement of fish coming up-stream as it's shallow enough to see bottom for about 15 minutes. ZERO FISH. They are not at the shore yet. :(

[Fish Tales]

Now that we've had several nights of freezing or near-freezing temperatures and they are forecast for this entire week, can we finally stop being so concerned with wind direction (west vs. east) and expect to see more Browns coming into the harbors, such as Bender, for us shore anglers? Seems like things are way behind this fall?

[Eric Haataja]

Yep fish are in there as we speak!!!!!!!! At the power plant and a few in the harbor

[deno b.]

Buddy of mine spent Sunday evening fishing bender. He fished outside the launch in his boat, because he saw a ton of fishing jumping out there. We energies has the new stack up and running and the new discharge is just south of the launch basin. He did fish inside the launch and saw no activity.
I was down there a week ago and saw nothing in the launch.

[Fish Tales]

That's what I was getting at. I try to learn by studying a lot of past posts on a variety of websites and then apply what I've learned to actual fishing. It's very gratifying when you learn something and then apply it and find that it works.

For some reason, this year, there just seems to be an invisible barrier between the lake and launch basin. Take a look at Finseeker's post on this thread from November 24, 2008. I've been dreaming of a day like the one depicted in his photos. Been looking forward to it all summer, in anticiption of fall fishing this location. So far, no one catching anything but a cold.

I've been told there is a Milwaukee County man named Richard (Dick) who supplies all the shops up there with spawn from the Browns he catches daily, simply by jigging a white tube jig off the pier. When he is there, it is said, that's the time to fish the Bender launch basin. I guess he never leaves empty handed. If anyone runs into the guy down there, let me know.

[pmjasper]

Last year Bender was on fire but this year thusfar it's been a different story...at least when the wife and I have been out. We had loads of browns and salmon porposing around the launch basin last year but this year we've only seen a stray brown here and there. I keep saying there is always next weekend but that story is getting old. Been spending my weekends tying steelhead flies instead.

[Steelheader]

Hi all. I fished the boat launch both Saturday and Sunday morning. The action was still slow, but on both days I got a couple of finicky bites fishing spawn sacks with an egg sinker and a quiver tip rod. I landed a small rainbow of about a pound on Saturday and was smashed by what I assume was a king although I never saw it. Today I lost a large brown when he took a sudden run under the pier below my feet before I could get the rod tip submerged. Later I caught a beautiful rainbow of perhaps two or three pounds, but I left an hour later after getting only one more bite.

I witnessed a large carp which was landed by a couple of guys also fishing for the browns after it took his spawn sack. It had to be close to 20lbs. I have some photos of the rainbows and the carp which I will post after my buddy sends them my way.

Nice to get a couple of rainbows - even the small ones put up a nice little battle on light tackle. Hopefully the browns action will pack up by the end of the month. The colder weather keeps away a lot of the Wal*mart fisherman for which I am grateful.

[Steelheader]

It seems that the bite at Bender is still very much hit and miss.

A friend of mine put in three hours fishing spawn sacks just off the bottom this morning, and didn't get a single bite.

Last weekend there were periods where the bite was "on" and fish were being caught, but it did not last very long. I also overheard several guys returning in their boats from the power plant/boils areas, and were evidently skunked.

[pink ugly stick]

A few boats went out this past weekend out of Bender. Both came back and didn't have any more luck than the guys fishing off the piers. Sunday Night after 11pm, there were alot of jumpers but none biting. Oak Creek/Grant Park is a joke in the mornings. 20 people around the pond trying to catch the few fish that made it up the creek overnight. Then you have others down the creek figuring they will get the fish as it's going up the creek. Gabriel Inglesias would have some new material if he came to South Milwaukee for a day! :D

[Fish Tales]

Spoke with a kindly older gentleman while fishing the other day and he told me that there is a new fishing pier being constructed at the power plant which will run out to the "new" discharge. He said there are already railings in place and that the only thing left to complete is the section that connects it to land. Access is supposed to be gained right off the main entrance to the plant. We discussed something about there having been a fishing pier installation as part of the proposal made several years ago to enlarge the power plant. Now a pier going out to a warm water discharge sounds too good to be true, but it wasn't the first time that I heard of a pier being part of the package to enlarge the plant. Anyone out there care to clear this up, confirm or deny? Thanks.

[Fish Tales]

Another goose egg for Fish Tales. 8-10:30 a.m. Two rods each with a spawn sack (pink and chartreuse, different depths, under slip bobbers). One rod with a Fathead swimming under a slip bobber at varying depths. Three other guys there at one point or another. One left with what appeared to be a Brown, approximately 20-22". Nothing seen for anyone else. Even the legendary "Dick" was quoted as having said "They're in there but they're not biting." In September I was waiting for October. Now I am going to wait for November.

[blitzfish]

These fish have seemed to be quite finicky these past couple days/week. I don't know what has made them so picky, especially for this time of the year. Its could be the weather/ water conditions and with this full moon phase coming up, hopefully it will pick up. I have always done good in the fall during them, but many factors will make that decision.

[Eric Haataja]

Hit and miss but as it gets colder the bite gets hotter....... Be patient Dainielson "said Meagee"

:-))))))))))))))))))))))))))

[Steelheader]

I put in a couple of hours this morning at the boat launch. It was a beautiful clear morning with a fairly gently NW wind (compared to the last few days it was moderately calm). I spotted more fish today than any of my recent visits to Bender. I saw several large browns patrolling the perimeter of the piers, and many were jumping and thrashing on the surface close to the piers. I even saw a small brown almost beach itself on the rocks before flopping back into the water. Crazy.

Despite the large numbers of fish in the harbor, there still aren't a lot of hookups. I had four or five bites in the first 90 minutes, one of which resulted in landing a nice hen brown of around 7 or 8 pounds. I was fishing orange spawn sacks about a foot off the bottom with an egg sinker rig. After landing the brown I had just one more bite before the action dried up.

There were several other fisherman present this morning. Two regular trout fisherman at the launch were seen landing a large carp each much to their apparent dismay! An elderly gentlemen landed a small coho of under two pounds. Again, all action was on spawn sacks, and stationary sacks on the bottom are producing better than under bobbers. I have not seen a single fish caught on a jig, spoon, crank, or spinner here in the last month. It is quite strange to say the least.

All in all the action is still slow, but the signs are good that things are starting to improve. Within the next couple of weeks I would anticipate better success for the trout fisherman at bender. We just need a nice cold spell so that more browns move into the basin and the action will follow.

Later,

Steve

[Fish Tales]

Thank you for your post Steve. It is most reassuring. I spent two hours down there this morning, and did see some fish. There were also four or five other guys down there with me from 8 - 10 a.m. I've been suspending the spawn sacks under slip bobbers, anywhere from three to seven feet. If I may ask, you stated you had yours about a foot off the bottom. Approximately how deep would that make them? Can I suspend them off the bottom, only using my slip bobber setup? There was nothing for me today except watching 'em jump and a few swim past. Water is still a milky turquoise/green color. Lost sight of my spawn sacks (yellow-green) after they dropped into the two foot range. Keep forgetting to bring my temperature gauge to measure water temperature. Still awaiting the first Brown of 2009....

[Steelheader]

FishTales,

I am fishing off the bottom using floating spawn sacks and a small free-running egg sinker on my main line. The leaders I have been using are between twelve and eighteen inches. My egg sinker is just heavy enough to keep some tension in the line but light enough that the fish feel little resistance when they run with the bait. When it is windy, I prefer this setup to the slip-bobber since the bobbers tend to drift around a lot which I think makes for a strange bait presentation, and you have to keep mending the line.

You should be able to fish just off the bottom with your slip-bobber by finding the depth with gradual stop knot adjustments. I usually find the depth by casting out my slip-bobber with a large splitshot attached to the bend of the hook. If the bobber sinks below the surface you slide the stop knot up the line another foot and try again. Once the bobber lays on the surface you have exceed the depth of the water. You would want to ease back so that you are off the bottom and out of the weeds.

Normally, I think your range of 3-7' depth would be good here I think. Nevertheless, I have had no success fishing in this depth range at Bender in the last month. I am not sure what the depth of the basin is here, but they say that since the fish look up rather than down, it makes sense to start higher in the water column and work your way down until you start getting some action. The browns do seem to forage around near the bottom more than rainbows and salmon, even though they are not considered bottom feeders, per se. Once it is colder I think they will be feeding higher in the water column. I am not an expert by any stretch - just saying what has worked for me so far this year. These browns are finicky at times. The bait fish I have seen down at Bender in the shallows have been huge lately. If you have no luck on the spawn you might try a large crankbait to see if that gets you some action.

Good luck. Hopefully see you down there some time!

Steve





Thank you for your post Steve. It is most reassuring. I spent two hours down there this morning, and did see some fish. There were also four or five other guys down there with me from 8 - 10 a.m. I've been suspending the spawn sacks under slip bobbers, anywhere from three to seven feet. If I may ask, you stated you had yours about a foot off the bottom. Approximately how deep would that make them? Can I suspend them off the bottom, only using my slip bobber setup? There was nothing for me today except watching 'em jump and a few swim past. Water is still a milky turquoise/green color. Lost sight of my spawn sacks (yellow-green) after they dropped into the two foot range. Keep forgetting to bring my temperature gauge to measure water temperature. Still awaiting the first Brown of 2009....

[Steelheader]

From the last two days. I have some others I will post later.

[Fish Tales]

Steelheader:

Thank you for your information. I am always trying to learn and you've suggested some things to me I just haven't tried yet. Since I am almost always with three hooks/three rods I will likely set up two for the bottom and leave one up higher, or use the third to cast crank baits. Again, your postings have been enlightening and encouraging. I hope to run into you down there some time so I can thank you in person. I usually have a camo jacket, a blue folding chair and a black net. Was down there Monday from 8-10 and saw fish, but no action. Once these beasts begin to bite I want to get my 12-year-old down there. He dearly would like to catch something "big," almost as bad as I want him to catch something big. We have a little gentleman's contest each year to see who can catch the biggest fish. I have an unfair advantage because I can go more than he because of his being in school. This year I am on top with a 28" Rainbow caught out of Racine in late August. What a thrill it would be for him to hook into something bigger. In three years he's only held the leader board once, for about a month. Would those big Carp hit a big crawler laying on the bottom? I have some Canadian crawlers left over from the summer in my worm box. At this point I'll be happy to hook into an old fisherman's boot. Look for me, and thanks!

[Steelheader]

There are a lot of carp in the boat launch area. You'd have a good chance to catch one by using corn or bread on the bottom. I have seen three big ones caught in the last two weeks on spawn sacks no less. The worms will work, too, but in my experience you can't beat corn and bread for catching carp. I am pretty sure I hooked another one last week. It almost pulled my pole in the water when I was chatting with another fisherman. Unfortunately I didn't get a good hook set and it came off at the end of a long run toward the pier. It didn't feel like a brown to me. Most fishermen over here hate carp, but I am from Europe where carp fishing is huge. They fight really well and offer good sport and can be tons of fun to catch. I'd rather catch a 15 pound brown than a carp of the same size, but I just love catching any fish really....

[Fish Tales]

Thanks to Steelheader I finally experienced some success here this morning. Fished from 8-10:30 a.m. Very windy, but the boat basin was shielded for the most part. Adjusted my floats so I was suspending my spawn sacks just above the bottom. First action was a big ole Carp (27" long and 8 pounds, 9 ounces weight). About 9:45 I noticed some suttle action on one of my floats and when it appeared to be moving away from me I set the hook and got a nice little Rainbow (15 3/4" long, 1.6 pounds). The hookset badly damaged the gills of the Trout so I brought it home for the frying pan. Pretty fish. When I gutted it I took a look inside the stomach and this fish already had two other spawn sacks inside and two small alewives. So, I guess the baits of choice would be yellow-green spawn sacks or small shiners. Thanks again for your advice Steelheader. See ya down there.

[Eric Haataja]

Steve thanks for the great reports!!!

Eric

[Fish Tales]

Took my son out to Bender this morning from 7-9:45. Nearly had the place to ourselves. Fished the same way as yesterday. It can be hard for a 12-year old to exhibit patience when float fishing. He's used to Bluegills taking a bobber down almost as quickly as you throw it in. One two occassions our bobber was pulled under, but by the time I got Chris over to give him the pole the float was back up again. One of the lines had a 2" shiner on it near the bottom and it was mauled. The other time it was a pink spawn sack that was mashed to nothing. I should've just set the hook myself, but then my son claims that he "didn't catch the fish" if I set the hook and then hand him the pole. Oh well. Just have to keep trying.

[deno b.]

Had to get out of the house during the packer game, because they suck. Made my way to the park for a couple of hours. Caught no fish but I was amazed by the big fish that i saw jumping. Every fish i saw must to have been 15lbs plus.

Should make for a fun winter. Can't wait.

[nutmeg]

I sent an email to We Energies asking about the fishing pier that was being built at the Oak Creek power plant and if it was open to the public yet. This is their response....

"Thanks for the email. Yes, the fishing pier has been built, but will not open until construction is complete. We anticipate it being open in 2011.

Please let me know if I can be of any additional assistance."

[BigMusky]

here's a tip for you float guys....make sure the float is as neutral as possible. It matters with trout because they will not feel the resistance as much and give you more time to react.

[Fish Tales]

Nutmeg:

Thanks for the info. Better late than never. 2011 will have to do. It will be here before you know it.

Fish Tales

[Fish Tales]

Fished Bender Friday morning from 715-1015. Had three lines in, two with spawn and one with some left over crawlers from the summer. Caught three fat Bullheads on that, and lost a fourth. Had two takedowns on spawn sacks, but nothing would commit where I could get a hookset. A fellow angler had a Brown on for a short time but it broke him off under the pier. Everyone in attendance agreed it must be colder if anything is going to happen here this year. Tight lines.

[Steelheader]

Fished the boat launch area this morning from 6:30 until 9am. Just two fisherman until a little after eight when a few others arrived. The water was quite chalky looking today. I tried spawn sacks fished just off the bottom and got just a single bite with no hookup. I cast some small rapalas for a while with no action. I then switched to a small cleo, walked to the far end of the pier and at the end of the first retrieve got slammed by a brown. It was a nice male of seven or eight pounds. Nice to get a fish, but it seemed like a fluke since the bite was definitely off today. One of these days I should try the Milwaukee river since the action is seemingly much better there at the moment. I may hold off on fishing Bender again until we are getting consistent frost on the ground. I have heard reports of spotty success, but it is very hit and miss. A friend of mine got three browns and lost a couple of others one day last week, but it seems that days like that have been few and far between (unless you know better).

[mjpauer]

Got this beautiful 15 lb Brown on a yellow and green Cleo. On the same Cleo i got a 6in Bullhead, the Cleo was as big as the Bullhead. Also missed one other on a spawn sac.

[deno b.]

Its about time the bullheads turn on.

[Eric Haataja]

There's a solid bite the past month open water fishing at the power plant and in the boat launch FYI---- Made it out there once this week and we caught 11 fish open water fishing on spawn and skein.

[Eric Haataja]

Stopped and checked out bender it will probably be all iced up tomorrow but it was 1/2 open and there were 6 guys fishing there and saw one guy loose a fish. That was shore fishing, made it out of the boat last week out there and did surprising well at the plant with small minnows for browns and steelies.

[Rempump]

If by chance anyone drives by, can they let us know if it is open. I am guessing it will freeze up with these cold temps!

[Eric Haataja]

Iced up now but if you pop holes around the peirs you can still catch an occasional fish, but the open water bite was good in the Marina. Fun to catch but, too bad more fish are not released down here! You couldn't pay me to keep a 15+ lb buck brown to eat!

Eric

[Steelheader]

I totally agree. I fished there quite a bit this fall with sporadic success, and also noted that most of the guys fishing there keep 'em (big or small - male or female). I kept one large female that was bleeding badly from the treble hooks on a cleo, and man did she taste like crap. I ate one of the filets, but gave the rest to my dog, who didn't seem to be so particular about the flavor.

I also saw an old dude snagging in the shallows down there a couple of times. It's a shame to do that since it is not necessary and tarnishes the reputation of our beloved pastime. A lot of guys like to keep the spawn, which is fair enough, but you can milk a decent amount of eggs and still return the fish to the water. I sometimes wonder how many of the spawning females that get taken actually make it onto the dinner plate.

It was bitter cold today. I am not sure if I will bother going out this weekend if it stays this chilly.

Iced up now but if you pop holes around the peirs you can still catch an occasional fish, but the open water bite was good in the Marina. Fun to catch but, too bad more fish are not released down here! You couldn't pay me to keep a 15+ lb buck brown to eat!

Eric

[Eric Haataja]

Amen! Those trout do not die it's so easy to carry a bag milk some eggs and let them go after, think about next fall a lot of those same fish would return back but they would be bigger............

Unless I'm literally starving, I'll pass on the browns. Keep a steelie, or a smaller silver brown and they would taste better IMHO. I've tried them a few time and I love to eat fish, just not browns.

I know guys that like them smoked but most of those guys are cronic smokers....... (just kidding) :-))

Guys are complaining of where are all the browns.....well if more people released the fish there'd be more to be caught! Simple math!

[andyj]

I agree with you guys. To many guys killing these fish maybe not knowing how long they will actually live. I will keep a hen brown from time to time if I can't milk the eggs and if I am getting low on eggs which is the case now, I need a loose hen bad! I keep enough silver kings in the late summer to give me plenty of meat to last the season. To many guys gaffing fish and then forced to keep them.

[Rempump]

Thanks for the info on the ice/water conditions. I think we might do a indoor archery shoot instead. I can't ever seem to catch anything through the ice.

In the last 4-5 years of fishing the Mil harbor and Oak creek, I have kept one brown trout. It was deep hooked and died. I will have to say it was one of the worst tasting fish I have ever eaten. it was even cooked by a buddy of mine who is a great cook and knows what he is doing.

A few years back we are at the Mil harbor. There was a boat anchored about 25 ft from us. 4 or 5 guys were fishing in it. We were all catching fish and they were tossing theres in a giant cooler and we were tossing ours back. One of the guys in the boat yells over and ask why we are letting them all go, I tell him because I don't think they taste good. The guy looks at his buddies in the boat and they all shrug thier shoulders. Turns out they had never eaten brown trout as they were from Ill and just came up for the first time. They procedeed to fill their coolers with 20-25 browns. These were big browns and maybe a steelhead or two. Everyone in my boat bet they would get home, eat one throw the rest in the freezer and never eat them.

If we do not manage this fishery properly there will no longer be a fishery. The popularity of these fish has been growing on a pretty steady clip the last few years. I think it is critical that we let as many fish go as possible.

[Eric Haataja]

I totally agree but the DNR would never consider a reduced bag limit on brown trout, I think the best thing to do is to try and continue promoting cath and release of these fish ecspecially the bigger fish! I've seen that same scenerio played out a hundred times. I'm glad some people enjoy the brown trout to eat, that's why fish were put here to be part of the food chain. I just think they taste horrible and I see guys posing with 12-18 lb big males that are dead and think to myself "why in the heck would you kill a fish like that"???

My client really really wanted to keep this fish but I insisted it would not taste good so he turned it back, I wish some of the other guides/charter captains out there would convince there clients to do the same!

He did go home with several steelhead which I said would be better for eating.

Eric

[andyj]

The browns spend a lot of time in the harbors which most you should know is not the cleanest water around. Pretty much as bad as eating a fish out of the Milwaukee River if you ask me. The DNR needs to look at managing these fish better or kick up the stocking of the browns. These fish are getting much more attention from anglers in the last few years and that trend should only continue. It seems that the browns have adapted to eating primarily gobies now which is a good thing. The gobies aren't going anywhere anytime soon. If these browns have plenty to eat (gobies) then I wouldn't see a problem with kicking up their stocking numbers. I would like to see them also stock these fish in a lot of different locations to spread out the concentrations.

[Rempump]

I personally would like to see more browns stocked or a reduction in the bag limits. They have got to be one of the best fighting, hardest hitting fish out there.

I try to spread the word when I am out fishing, I do not intrude but I do strike up a conversation about the fish. If someone has had them in the past and likes them that is great, go ahead and eat them but if you grow a extra arm, don't blame me.

If the person has never had them I encourage them to eat a smaller one to start, to taste it. If they like it, go for it.

Also I have found with many types of fish, fresh is better and frozen is not so good. This is especially true with trout. If you must eat um, eat um fresh.

[avid1010]

Sorry in advance for the non-report. I'm just wondering why anyone feels a reduced bag limit is needed for browns? I don't fish them too much anymore, but when I young I used to catch winter browns in Port, I'd keep the 2-5lb fish and have Ewigs smoke them for me. I really enjoyed them smoked, but I guess that's besides the point. Letting the bigger fish go, to become trophies makes sense to me, but I have to believe the DNR is stocking less because of the lack of baitfish???? As I understand the stocking is relatively cheap. Just interested to see what you guys think.

[pink ugly stick]

Went down to Bender Park to see how the ice was. Lake Michigan had very little ice along the shoreline. The launch area had some ice but was not solid enough to walk on. Someone dug about 5 fishing holes just off the pier. They probably used a Jiffy auger like Gillespie. I don't know if they caught anything as nobody was around except a few dog foot-prints on the ice.

[BP1357]

Drove down to bender for look today. Ice gone other than a little at ramps. Water was looking like cocoa....

[Rempump]

Has anyone had a chance to get down and check out the ramp? How is the ice there?

[BP1357]

Took a look today - some open water in middle- mouth is somewhat choked up w/slushy ice. Ramps are inaccessible due to the ice build up..

[yatch]

Appreciate the launch up date. Will be getting more important in the next couple of weeks.

Thanks again

Yatch :D

[Rempump]

I am starting to sound like a broken record :)

Anyone had a chance to drive by and see how the ramp conditions are? Can you get a boat out?

[BP1357]

Drove down sunday around noon. open water, 1 trailer in lot, 2 guys fishing from north pier...Can't speak for since then.

[Rempump]

Thaks for the info- If the harbor is slow might try it down here. The 'river' down by the plan can be some good entertaintment :)

[Eric Haataja]

I know that bite can be hot down there in the harbor and out in front of the boils and plant trolling and live bait rigging but we also have done extremly well in there just fishing off the docks!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rempump]

Fished the milwaukee harbor in the morning and then headed to bender to check on the ramp and conditions.

Harbor was open and there were 4 or 5 guys fishing from the docks. Did see a couple browns caught. We fished for a hour or so in the little harbor area. Not much going on for us. Tried cranks and jigs. There was one trailer in the lot and it looked like he was out in about 40-50 ft of water trolling.

[Eric Haataja]

Yea the dock bite down there has been fantastic and will be good for another month or two and there's some pigs in there!

Talked to Capt. Jason Woda who was out on Sat in the boat and he crushed the fish out there, so the fish are finally showing up in great numbers!!!!!!

[yatch]

Anyone out there today? Would like to know if the water is all stained or clear. Like to hit it this week.

Yatch:D

[Fish Tales]

Was out there a day ago. The water was kinda turquoise green. Not very clear, but not mud. Unbelievable amount of sand near the mouth. You could step off the pier and walk to the rocks. The sand berm is almost higher than the pier.

[Eric Haataja]

Gene they are doing well out there I may make my way out there tomorrow for a while, trolling has been best.

Eric

[deadeternity]

Fished the Bender Park boat launch area today and I came up with nothing. Didn't see any fish either which was strange. It looks like the waves pushed alot of sand into the mouth of the little boat launch area because you can actually walk across the sand in between the dock on the south side of the launch area and the rocks. I hope this does not make it harder or unpleasing for fish to pass in and out of there now. It is way shallower then the past years......

[yatch]

Did a lot of looking but finally found the fishes. On the edge of the warm water south of the plant working 12 to 15ft. of water. Went 6 for 9 with the biggest at 31". Spoons were the best but did take some hits on cranks. Warmest water we found was 41 degrees. Great day. The harbor launch is almost closed in with sand.
Had to use a push pole to get out. Not good.

Yatch:D

[deadeternity]

They need to dredge the mouth of Bender launch area and the mouth of the Oak Creek. It is ridiculous what it looks like....

[Kenneth]

Has anyone been to Bender Park lately? I haven't gone there since March.

[Eric Haataja]

Those perch snapping down there?

[snelled_again]

I don't think any one is getting too many yet.....it doesn't open until Wednesday.:(

[Eric Haataja]

I guess they are slamming the big perch here and at the plant my buddies limited easily but they said it was an early AM bite. I wish I had time to go down there and get some perch!