Southern Wisconsin Fishing Report – October 19th, 2012

BEAVER DAM / FOX LAKE AREA

Fox Lake muskie action has been very good, and 46-, 49-, and 50-inch fish have been caught. Walleyes are being caught by those trolling crankbaits in 10 to 18 feet of water. Crappies are suspended over deeper water and are being caught on minnows and slip bobbers. Little Green Lake also is producing crappies. Traffic for the youth deer hunt was light, though archers have registered many good bucks. Waterfowl hunters are focusing on the lakes, as many of the marshes are dry. Local ducks dominate the harvest, as migrants have yet arrive.
Nehls’ Fish Tales, (920) 520-0015.

LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES

In Milwaukee, some kings have moved into the harbor and have been caught by trollers working the gaps and the channel. Other trollers have been catching chinooks, along with a few rainbows and lake trout, in 50 to 110 feet of water on spoons and flashers and flies. Anglers fishing off McKinley Pier continue to catch a few browns and chinooks. The browns were caught on alewives, spoons, and crankbaits, but the kings were taken in pre-dawn hours on glow spoons. Shore anglers fishing the Summerfest grounds have taken a few browns and kings, but fishing has been slow. Anglers fishing off the pier at Grant Park have been catching a few chinooks at daybreak on spoons. Fish have been moving up into Oak Creek, as well.
Smokey’s Bait Shop, (262) 691-0360.
Dick Smith’s Bait, (262) 646 2218.

MADISON AREA

Anglers are beginning to catch a few muskies on Lake Monona, though most fish have been small. Suckers have been providing the most action. Panfish action on Lake Mendota has been fair. At Warner Bay, try weed edges in 12 to 14 feet of water for bluegills, perch, and crappies. At Fox Bluff, crappies are being caught in 12 feet of water. Walleyes are beginning to be caught near the Tenny Park breakwater by anglers casting crankbaits at dark. Archery deer hunting has been slow. Waterfowling has been hampered because many traditional haunts are high and dry because of the drought.
D&S Bait & Tackle, (608) 244-3474.
Dorn Hardware, (608) 244-5403.

SAUK CITY AREA

Below the Sauk dam, walleye fishing has been good. Anglers are catching legal fish by fishing at twilight and casting crankbaits. On Lake Wisconsin, crappie fishing has been good. Look for schools suspended 6 to 10 feet down over 20 feet of water. White bass are being found near rocky areas. Walleyes are starting to be found around deep holes. Local ducks still dominate the bag, and geese are concentrated in the river. Bowhunters registered some big bucks early in the season.
Wilderness Fish and Game, (608) 643-2433.