Region-by-Region Opening Weekend Fishing Forecasts

I saw the slogan on the back of a faded t-shirt while waiting in line many years ago: “So many fish, so little time” - there are few states where that slogan rings more true. The fact that Wisconsin is home to a large number of diverse fisheries, from aesthetic meandering trout streams to picturesque crystalline natural lakes, from seemingly Canadian-inspired wilderness flowages to the vast expanses of the Great Lakes, means that anglers not only have an array of species to target but also a host of waters in which to pursue them. Whatever your destination this opening weekend, here is an opening weekend fishing primer just for you - region-by-region forecasts from a few top Wisconsin fishing guides.

Northwestern Wisconsin:
Hayward area guide Dave Dorazio reports that action for both bluegills and crappies has been outstanding on the Chippewa Flowage. Dave has been finding the majority of his fish relating to cover in northern bays. While minnows have been taking their fair share of fish, Dorazio reports that most anglers are also doing well with jig and plastic combos. Walleyes on the Chippewa Flowage have finished spawning and Dorazio shares that anglers will find a population of fish relating to deeper water, advising to check depths of 12 to 20 feet. He recommends targeting them with a 1/8th or 1/4th ounce jig and a 3 inch fathead or mud minnow, but adds that some of the larger walleyes will be using the weed beds. Dave relies on his electronics to find the freshest, thickest weeds and then fishes them with a 1/16th ounce jig and minnow. In the darker water he relies heavily on bright colored (orange, pink, and chartreuse) jigs as they typically work the best. Should you find a concentration of walleyes, Dorazio recommends implementing a slip bobber rig with a leech. For anglers willing to fish during the low light periods of dusk and dawn, Dorazio encourages casting cranks along and over the weeds, with his personal favorites being bright colored #9 Rapala Countdowns or #10 Rapala Husky Jerks. For anglers choosing to fish the clear lakes of the Hayward area such as Lac Courte Oreilles and Grindstone, Dorazio expects to find walleyes along the deep weed edges, and advises working them with jig with minnow combinations or a back-trolled Lindy Rig.
For more information:
Dave Dorazio
715-558-4591
flowageguide@yahoo.com
www.davedorazio.com

Northeastern Wisconsin:
Guide Rob Manthei calls St. Germain home, but is a veritable nomad when it comes to scouring the waters of Vilas and Oneida county looking for the next hot bite. Manthei reports that water temps in the greater St. Germain area are currently ranging anywhere from the upper 40's to mid 50's, depending of course on the size and depth of the lake. With the walleye spawn now over, Manthei expects to be finding large numbers of fish relating to both weeds and wood, and feels it should be a great opener for anglers looking to score on walleyes in his area. When it comes to tackle for opening weekend, Rob advises concentrating on jigs and minnows, particularly redtails and fatheads; in addition, he states that crankbaits and Gulp! worked over and around emerging weeds will produce as well. In addition to the walleyes, Manthei expects both crappies and northern pike to be active in weedy bays and on flats.
If you plan on fishing the greater St. Germain area opening weekend, Manthei recommends the Rainbow Flowage, Big St. Germain, and Big Arbor Vitae all as great choices for this weekend, and invites any and all anglers to stop in at Fibber's Restaurant and Bar on Big St. Germain to talk fishing with him after a day on the water.
For more information:
Rob Manthei
www.robmanthei.com
www.stgermainlodge.com
www.fibbersresort.com

Green Bay:
The waters of Lake Michigan, including those of the bay of Green Bay can be described as enormous, daunting, and intimidating; they can also be described as fertile, diverse, and loaded with a variety of fish species! Captain Brett Jolly of Green Bay is forecasting an opening weekend on Green Bay that should provide excellent walleye action. Captain Jolly states that the majority of walleyes are now post-spawn and becoming increasingly active. On the West shore Jolly advises looking for 5 to 10 foot flats containing new weed growth, and then targeting resident walleyes with crawler harnesses – an offering that according to Jolly will provide great action for the marble-eyes of the West shore. On the East shore of Green Bay, Jolly looks for rocky breaklines, points, and humps for the best ‘eye action, and notes that casting or trolling crankbaits such as Berkley Flicker Shads will typically out produce other techniques on the East shore. For anglers looking to target smallmouth bass, Jolly states action should be excellent on the opener for big pre-spawn fish. He recommends slow moving offerings including jerkbaits, tubes, jigs, and wacky worms to entice the biggest specimens. Anglers headed to Green Bay now have the luxury of having all their opening weekend tackle needs met thanks to the recent grand-opening of Smokey's on the Bay Bait and Tackle Shop, located at1122 N Irwin Avenue right in Green Bay.
For more information:
Captain Brett Jolly
Captainjollycharters.com
715-581-5678

Central Wisconsin:
It should be an excellent opening weekend in Central Wisconsin, with water temperatures currently in the mid-fifty degree range but on the rise due to the recent warmer weather. The stretches of the Wisconsin River from Merrill to Brokaw and Rothschild to Mosinee, as well as Lakes Wausau and DuBay, is currently experiencing solid activity from a variety of species. There is little doubt that many of the waters set to open this Saturday in Central Wisconsin will see fish activity levels rather similar. Numbers of crappies are still staging in deeper water, but more and more fish are showing up in the shallows daily. Small in-line Mepps Aglia and Aglia Long spinners cast around docks, brush piles, and submerged trees are working well to locate fish. Once crappies are found, slip bobbers and minnows are the ticket, with subtle casting the key to avoiding spooking fish. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are being found shallow, and have been quite aggressive over the past week. Lipless crankbaits like the Rapala Rippin’ Rap and Clackin’ Rap, 4” Mister Twister FAT tubes, and wacky-rigged senko-style baits like the Mister Twister Comida have all been productive. Fine numbers of above-average sized northern pike are still shallow thanks in large part to the cooler water temperatures. Jerkbaits like the Rapala Husky Jerk, swimbaits such as Berkley’s Hollow Belly rigged on a Mustad swimbait hook, and Terminator spinnerbaits in bright color patterns have all continued to produce quality pike, some even pushing the forty inch range. Walleye fisherman can find above-average fish, both in size and numbers, by searching water depths from 3’-6’, especially during the low-light periods. Casting Husky Jerks or Countdown crankbaits is working well for shallow walleyes while trolling Flicker Shads or working jig-and-livebait combinations has been productive for fish relating to deep holes or stretches of river channel. For esox anglers fishing South of Hwy 10, musky season also opens this Saturday. Look for fish to be relating to shallow cover, bays, and backwaters. “Hybrid” twitchbaits like the Musky Mania 6” Squirrely Jake, regular sized Bulldawgs, and smaller bucktails such as the Mepps Musky Killer or Esox Edge Lucky 7 should all produce action.
For more information:
Joel DeBoer
715-297-7573
joelthemuskyman@charter.net
www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com