Southern Wisconsin Fishing Report – September 7th, 2012

BEAVER DAM / FOX LAKE AREA

Fishing pressure is light due to the low level of Fox Lake. Those who go out will be rewarded with sizable muskies, walleyes, crappies, and bluegills. Anglers reported catching 48- and 50- inch muskies last week. Anglers have been catching walleyes on crankbaits in 10 to 14 feet of water along Chief Kuno Trail. Limits of crappies are being taken by those drifting small Twister tails and Beetle Spins. Bluegills are staring to bite along shallow rock bars on red worms.
Tim Nehls’ Fish Tales Bait, (920) 520-0015.

LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES

Sheboygan trollers have been catching mostly chinooks, along with a few rainbows, lake trout, cohos, and browns in 110 to 140 feet of water, but some anglers also have taken fish in as shallow as 55 feet of water and as deep as 200 to 240 feet. Action from the piers has been slow, with more effort on the south pier than the north pier.
Port Washington trollers have been taking good numbers of chinooks, along with a few rainbows, cohos, and lake trout. Fish have been found between 60 and 180 feet, with the most commonly fished area being 120 to 150 feet of water. Shore fishing has been generally slow, but a few brown trout have been taken from the pier, with glow spoons producing the best.
Milwaukee County trollers have been catching chinooks, along with a few rainbows and lake trout. Most anglers have been working north of the harbor in 100 to 130 feet of water with baits 70 to 90 feet deep. Fishing off McKinley pier has been slow. Anglers at Jones Island have caught a few browns on minnows fished under bobbers.
Racine trollers have been catching chinooks, with a few rainbows and lake trout mixed in, in 60 to 100 feet down in 150 to 175 feet of water. Those fishing from shore have had some spotty success for brown trout off of the piers.
In Walworth County, Lake Geneva anglers are reporting decent catches of bluegills on wax worms. Lake Geneva bass are hitting plastic baits close to the bottom. Bass are being caught on Delavan along weed edges, especially during early morning hours. Anglers are reporting decent catches of bluegills.
DNR hotline, (414) 382-7920.
Smokey’s Bait Shop, (262) 691-0360.
Dick Smith’s Bait, (262) 646 2218.

MADISON AREA

Fishing pressure has gotten a lot lighter and perch fishing on Lake Mendota has slowed down. Anglers are catching perch along the city shoreline once in a while. Water temps dropped into the mid 70s. Lake Monona guys are catching a few muskies and seeing a few more, with the most action on the east side, at the mouth of the Yahara River and in Squaw Bay. Bluegills and perch are suspended from 15 feet down to bottom, but the action has not been fast and furious. Lake Waubesa bluegills are hitting by Rockford Heights. Fishing on Lake Kegonsa has been a little tough, but some nicer bluegills and crappies are being caught. Lake Mendota walleye and smallmouth action has been off a little.
D&S Bait & Tackle, (608) 244-3474.
Dorn Hardware, (608) 244-5403.

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN AREA

The water on the Wisconsin River is extremely low, and successful anglers of all stripes are focusing on what little moving water there is. Bluegill fishing has been very good on the main river channel and adjacent to wing dams. No. 10 hackle jigs of 1⁄8-ounce and a float have proved to be the bait of choice. Try black and chartreuse or black and pink. Some nice perch have been mixed in with the bluegills. Catfish continue to be active. Try dip baits or nightcrawlers. Recent bass tournament anglers weighed some nice catches, and swim jigs produced largemouths on points and channel edges, and deep, rocky cover produced fish, as well. Pike fishing has been good all summer for anglers who find spring-cooled water. Spinners, spoons, and live bait have been producing pike.
Stark’s Sport Shop, (608) 326-2478.

SAUK CITY AREA

Lake Wisconsin walleyes are being caught on mud flats in 12 to 15 feet of water. Using your electronics, locate schools of shad and then vertically jig with blade baits in shad color patterns. White bass fishing has been very good. Watch for sea gulls to locate the schools of baitfish and then cast weight-forward spinners, or crankbaits. On the Wisconsin River, smallmouth bass fishing has been very good. Try jigs, surface baits, or crankbaits. Fishing for catfish has been excellent.
Wilderness Fish and Game, (608) 643-2433.