April 14, 2016

LAKE MICHIGAN/METRO AREA LAKES All of the area lakes are ice-free. It’s time to hit the water for panfish. The key to catching panfish early in the spring is to look for the warmest water along with green weeds in 15 feet of water or less. Prevailing winds will help determine which part of the lake to look for […]

ASHLAND AREA The ice keeps bouncing back and forth, opening some landings and closing others. Most trollers, when they can get out, are doing well flat-lining crankbaits out of Saxon Harbor, Sand Bay, and Bayfield. The streams, currently blown-out, do contain steelhead, so be patient – spring will happen. Angler’s All, (715) 682-5754. River Rock, (715) 682-3232. EAGLE

Banquet/Fundraiser  April 16: Lake Country RMEF Banquet, 4:30 p.m., Turlteback Golf & Convention Center. For more info call Peggy Lundmark, 715-822-2015. April 16: Wisconsin Packerland WTU Banquet, 5 p.m., Stadium Valley Bar, Green Bay. For more info call 800-274-5471. April 16: Neillsville WTU Banquet, 5:30 p.m., American Legion Hall, Neillsville. For more info call Jill

District 5 — Lower St. Croix area Warden Jim Cleven, of Colfax, attended a meeting in February to establish a new Explorer Post program for kids interested in conservation careers. The program is sponsored by the Dunn County Fish and Game Association. Warden Cleven also assisted the DCFG with an ice-fishing contest on Lake Menomin.

St. Lawrence River: Fishing activity slowed with the cold weather, but bullhead action should be heating up as soon as the temps warm a bit. And perch, sunfish and crappie fishing absolutely will take off when shallow waters warm up. Black Lake: Richard at Chapman’s Marina reports fishing activity ground to a halt when the

Rivers were at fishable levels for opening day of trout season and even after the cold weather arrived. Quill Gordons were out, along with some Hendricksons and Blue Quills. Beaverkill and Willowemoc: Quill Gordons started emerging in the mid afternoon. There were also some Blue Quills and Caddis about.  Delaware East Branch: Wadeable an actually

Some early trout action, notably browns and lakers, was available at some of the east of Hudson reservoirs. But the cold snap stalled fishing activity and as a result we don’t have a lot of details to report. Some of the reservoir outlets are also a great option for stocked trout

Saratoga Lake: Tim at Saratoga Tackle and Archery reported crappies were biting off the Fitch Road area, at least until the cold weather arrived. But things should pick up again. The bite has fluctuated with water/air temps. Anglers fishing Saratoga Lake and at Lock 5 on the Hudson River have also found some panfish and