Wisconsin River/Wisconsin Dells

[Rempump]

Fished the dells yesterday afternoon. Plenty of ice chunks coming down stream. Some of them were pretty big and could be dangerous to anchored boats. Fished from 15 to 30 ft of water. 20 -25 seemed to hold the most fish. We did seem to graph fish and then catch, if they were close to the bottom. Keeping tight to the bottom was key. Heavy jigs fished vertically. Ended up with 15 or so and 4 keepers. Water was 32.6 degrees. Water has to warm up before the action warms up. Probaly a few weeks or so.

[Lyubaka]

It is awful hot in the dells!
All in all situation is as follows River shiners are plentiful and a must although guys like Big Dave have the theory of using a distracting bait I guess if you throw a rack of ribs at a hungry dog they will chum it down faster than a stick of firewood... Flatheads are biting no word of them being over the 12-15lb mark but that is plenty for me - best baits live Suckers and Sunfish...

Last time out in the rain I had 2 lines with Warmouth on both had a horrendous hit and breakoff ... my bad 6# test sunburnt line rookie mistake...
There was a prehistoric Snapper in the bay below the culvert that appeare to have a head larger than my fist... way larger so I was kind of dubious about wading the shallows :eek:

Spent a long while fieldtesting and the ones that got my attention(but none of the fishes') were this plug:
And this shiner stick, but maybe it is just me....
After the rain and the breakoff decided to cast for more livebait and then there was a steady school of carp cruising the shallow sandbar in front of me (and the Snapper)...
Had a 2-way on with a popper as indicator/dry fly and a #10 beadhead tipped with a purple whiptail... As I was dragging my fly in the sand one ofthe fish flashed and I set the hook so that the shallows exploded!


Had no net and gathered all the other anglers asking what I had on... wish I had told them a Salmon or better yet a Bonefish :rolleyes: Pretty Funny Face!

Let it go! Be well!

[Lyubaka]

Tried the flyfishing on the Wisconsin River again and did pathetic, I wish I had more time to scout the fishing grounds like before I became a dad :rolleyes:

This one came on the same beadhead #10 this time tipped with a pinworm (purple)

[Lyubaka]

Dells` scenic beauty:

...got to keep the bait fresh somehow even if it gets you on one of these...

... Freakin' leatherback was hissing and twisting like a snake...Had to use my knife to release him unharmed (... I am talking myself staying out of harm's way ;) )
Rebaited and recasted - called home to let them know I won't be long so I'll make it for the baby's bath as nothing was happening and then my rod bent again this time I expected the turtle...:idea:

Beauty 31" (79см) & 17lbs+~(8kg)

I guess now is the time to catch fish larger than my little one cause when she grows it will get more and more impossible :wink:

[Lyubaka]

Released a smallish Flatty right away and was hoping for lots of action...
Had To Focus On Larger Chunks Of CutBait
These Guys Were Fighting Great, But Not Taret Species LOL
Eventually rigged a 8" shad whole and had a really hard take but did not commit...
Catch You Soon!

[Lyubaka]

the rains and cooler(relatively) weather combined with the moon phase did great for a lot of anglers - if you can find a dry spot that does not get wake from the speedtourboat you stand an excellent chance to tie in with a couple-o-three keeper sized walleyes they seem to be the norm for us 16-18" good eaters if that is your fancy and excellent shot makers if you like to bring a camera along

local shiners seined from the river
floating minnow cranks in clown silver and chrome blue colors
orange jointed cranks or a little redder

in that order
and of course shad soft plastics
good luck and hope to see you on the water - i am picking more crappie than anything and excellent gills on waxies - go figure

[Lyubaka]

it wa sfun during my break from work today went through over 60 pannies to keep 15 for a buddy's fish fry he wanted to make for his sister

small chartreuse 1/80 oz #10 ball jigheads with purple leech immitations and a few on tipped jig with a waxworm
fun fun
too bad none of them were bigger than my optimistic musky cranks LOL

[Eric Haataja]

Nice reports Lyubaka!

Fished the dells with the family for about 4 hours, went camping with the in-laws and family and we had a blast in barboo too out some kids fishing in the dells and we did pretty good. fished down river of Rivers edge below the biggest rapids and caught lots of smallies on soft plastics. the keu was to find current and rock and there were lots of fish schooled up busting on bait fish. The only problem was we did not get anything bigger than 17 inches but the kids had a blast catching lots of smallies, also caught some eyes trolling up river on shad raps and frezy shads.

Back home now!

Eric

[Lyubaka]

Went out late took a buddy along and between talking on the phone checking bottom lines and casting for Crappies he ended up slipping off the ledge we were fishing and soaking himself in the drink....

I pulled my first 180pounder out of the Wisconsin River (too bad it was a ... sucker) this guy almost made me pee my pants laughing - phone, smokes papers, money everything on him was soaking wet but tough as nails drained his clothes and we kept catching Slabs and waiting for the Dino's

I should say a couple of things:
DO NOT WASTE MONEY ON A STURGEON TAG IF YOU DO NOT PLAN TO HARVEST!
KEEP YOUR DRAG LOOSE (AS HE WAS BEING PULLED OUT OF THE RIVER MY 8FT POWER TELESCOPIC ROD ALMOST SNAPPED I GUESS THE FISH WAS JUST SITTING THEIR SMOOCHING THE BUNDLE OF CRAWLERS AND AS MY BUDDY TOOK A DIP HE STARTED OFF ... AND BEFORE I GOT A FREE HAND TO OPEN THE BAIL OR LOOSEN DRAG HE BROKE ME OFF AND LINE WENT SLACK)
BRING A DRY CHANGE OF CLOTHES IF YOU PLAN TO JUMP IN AFTER A FISH LOL
BRING AN ULTRALIGHT TO HAVE FUN WITH THE CRAPPIES/BLUEGILL/WALLEYE AND BASS WHILE WAITING FOR YOUR MONSTER



well I am glad Eric had fun fishing and not working (pun intended)
have fun guys will add pix soon (did not have the guts to snap him in the water was too worried he will go under LOL:D but i do have him dripping on the rocks right next to my lantern not a dry hair on him...)

[Lyubaka]

Casting Both Cranks and Streamers after dark works pretty good lately for me.
Firetiger, Silver, Silver/blue & Walleye colors all produced
My best one is far from trophy size this fall at mere 23" but fun none the less

[Lyubaka]

Did hook in some other dandies! Smallies, Drum, Flatheads, Crappies, White Bass, Sauger Perch And Gills. Gotta love neoprene waders and the fact that crowds are gone!

[Eric Haataja]

Nice fish that smallie and flathead are cool, how big was the smallie?

Eric

[Lyubaka]

Nice fish that smallie and flathead are cool, how big was the smallie?

Eric
He was about 17-18 if I am not mistaken. The flathead hit in the fastest current had to scoop it with the net and take it to shore to figure what I had I was waist deep casting and he held tight to bottom throughout the fight...

[Rempump]

Fished the dells this weekend(Saturday) Got on the water around 10:00am and there were only 3 boats in. Fished down stream of rivers edge landing and did pretty well. Fished 16-20 foot of water with jigs and minnows and lindys with minnows. The jigs took bigger fish but the lindys had the action. Caught 6 keepers rangeing from 15 1/2 to 19 1/2. Lost one big dude at the side of the boat- It was in the 20 - 24 inch range(always look bigger when they get away).

We talked to the other boats and they hd mixed results. They were also fishing the lindys and or jigs. The lighter the better on the jigs.

[Eric Haataja]

Thanks for the great report!!!!!!

[Eric Haataja]

Talked to my buddy today and they limited out both yesterday and today very quickly up at the dells get up there now! Lots of fish he said came up from lake Wisconsin.

Eric

[Rempump]

Fished the dells on Sat morning. It took forever to launch the boat. I saw some seriously horrible boat launches and loadings. It did provide some comic relief after awhile. Got on the water and fished the past the cable to start. Had a few short hits. Moved up stream to the deaper hole around the island. Nothing there either. Saw a few dinks caught. There was at least 15 boats around the island cable area with boats drifting through. It was a absole zoo at every hole and stretch of river. Fished from 8-25 ft of water. Missed a few fish and had a nice one on. Fished jigs and lyndys.

I do not think I will ever fish this river on a weekend again. Way to many boats and to big a hassle to play bumper boats.

[trophy taker]

How are the shores above the damn? My dad and I usually go up there easter weekend every year,but with the snow i think it's gonna be cancelled.

[yatch]

Fished out of Rivers Edge on Monday and Tues. 6 hrs on Monday and 3 on Tues. ended the trip with 7 keepers and 4 shorts. All walleyes no saugers at all. Worked the cable area both days. Great accomadations and food. We look forward to this trip every year. Check them out.

http://www.riversedgeresort.com/rivercam/default.htm


Yatch :D

[fishin4life]

I have never fished the wisconsin river and am looking to come up soon. after searching forums for boat landings i am at a loss. Can anyone help me out here? Would like to come to the dells but am unsure of where to launch. Thank you.

[yatch]

Great place, decent launch.

http://www.riversedgeresort.com/rivercam/default.htm

[Lyubaka]

I have been fly fishing locally this season (have a 20month old at home and that is a pretty good marker for time) it should not be BC for Before Christ it should be BK for Before Kids... Anywho Carp on the fly or as they call them mile high bonefishing except for I do not recollect anyone beaching a 21 lbs Bonefish:rolleyes: so far the best luck I have had is with wooly buggers in white and red and also stoneflies in black as well as orange and yellow yan eggs - there are also suckers, buffalo carp, shepshead and bass to get so it is AWESOME!!! so yeah before the DNR poison everything that swims come have some real fun on what is left of the once great Lake Delton

[Lyubaka]

Usually there are at least 3 legal fish registered the first half of the season... so far there is none(as of yesterday)but the good news is I got my first noble fish a hair shy of 30" - a dandy 29-3/4" Walleye that is still swimming for the next tie up :)

[Eric Haataja]

Awesome job! Nice fish!

[Eric Haataja]

I would be that with this warm up the walleye's will be snapping like crazy in a boat this week up there!!!!!!!!!

Eric

[Eric Haataja]

It's all open for boats up there now. Buddy was out today and limited out pretty easily he said.

Eric

[luv2fish]

Went up to the dells Thursday/Friday for " the Steal" , i mean deal:):) It IS a steal though...Two steak dinner, two breakfasts, two boat launches, and a room for 75 bucks...where else are you gonna find that??? Anywho, fished all day Thurday, water was cold and slow moving. Picked fish up in the deeper holes (hawks beak being most productive for us) up and down stream from Rivers Edge. In fact i don't think we caught a fish under 10' of water... Not a ton of fish and i lost what would have been my only keeper at the boat but it was a great day to be out...Orange seemed better than chart for me, and i didn't pick anything up on lindy rigs or the reservoir rigs, just a jig n minnow...Did see a couple nice 20-24" slot fish taken, just not in my net;);)

Woke up around 6:30 Friday morning and the line of boats was leaking out onto highway A...Decided to not even put the boat in and cash in on our free breakfast...Talked to the lady at the bait shop and she said there had to be 80-100 boats out there and i don't think she was exaggerating...Not a big fan of bumper boats:):)

Should be going good pretty soon after the rain and warm up we got...

Good Luck

Ryan

[vdubdipr]

well we got a late start at around 5 and fished untill about 10:30 pm. we saw a about 6 fish caught and we only managed a suager and a burbot... i think it was just a bad day. i bet if we woulda limited out if we had my boat... :rolleyes:

[Rempump]

Fished from 1:00 to 6:15 yesterday. When we arrived there were boats parked all over the place. Luckily someone had just pulled out and there was a spot. Otherwise it would have been a long walk.

Started down by the cable. Caught a few on jigs and lindys. Nothing over 14.5 inches. There were a lot of shorts caught by other boats. Didn't see any fish stay in a boat for long. Most guys were drifting with a few anchoring. Fished water from 8-22 ft deep. Caught fish in all depths. Did seem to get more fish when we were drifting. All fish were males so it will only get better.

Went up to the dam and fished 4 or 5 spots on the way up. Picked up a few fish on the gravel bar but again they were small. Fished a few of the holes and the new area by the wash out. Not much going there. Several boats up by the dam but I didn't see a fish caught. We spent some time drifting around but nothing going. Water ranged from 38-40 degrees up and down the river.

[walleyewackr]

managed to get to the dells saturday mid morning and fish for about 4 hours. was decent flow, and plenty of fish in the areas we were in. gettiing them to go was another thing. had to legal eyes and some shorts to go with 3 sturgies. one that measured in the high 40's caught by my bud george. hooked more then we caught, couldnt keep them buttoned for some reason.
only going to get better. havent been here in a few years, but it was great to see the beautiful scenery the dells has to offer. makes me wonder why it took me so long to get back

[Get Hooked]

I made my annual run to the Dells today, water temp was 38 in the morning, and up by the dam, I got 39.3 down by the cable. When I left at 8pm, water temp was pushin high 37's. I talked to several guys and the bait shop, it was slow for me and really slow for others, including the other guy in my boat. He was stinkin my boat up. I managed 3, 2 walleyes, 1 at 151/2'', and 1 at 13", Also a smallie at 141/2. I was a week early if you ask me. Next week should be the time to go. What worked for me was a 1/4 oz. VMC blue Hammer Head jig, lined it with a bigger fathead minnow, and added a stinger. Tried many other techniques, but this it what produced. All 3 fish were caught between 5 and 6 pm. 8 bucks to launch.

[luv2fish]

Hey guys, ill be heading up the first week in April for my spring break...Last year my dad and i caught a few fish by hawks beak and "the cables". I was just wondering if anyone has any GENERAL areas/tactics for the crappie, wouldn't mind tangling with a few while walleye fishing. Any info would be appreciated, ill be sure to give a report when i get back!!

Good Luck,

Ryan

[Hunter5]

I'll be in the dells next week but won't have a boat. Can anyone suggest a shore spot for fishing for Walleyes

[Rempump]

There are a few spots to fish from shore up at the dells. If I were you, I would stop in at Rivers Edge and talk with the folks in there. They can give pretty good directions to a couple of the spots.

For the spots other than the cable and hawks beak, I would say the whole river from the cables up stream holds fish. I have caught at least one walleye in every hole, every strecth of river. There is no such thing as a secret spot on this stretch of river. The boats will be bumper boats on any piece of water deeper than 3 ft :) Pretty much if it looks fishy, fish it

[fuzzyfishin]

Riversedge also have boats to rent.

[Hunter5]

Fish from shore around the damm area, sun-wed. Only 1 keeper eye. Also caught a few nice size Perch and small eyes.