walleyemaxx
05-06-2011, 09:44 AM
Hi everyone,
Here's this weeks DNR report for our neck of the woods.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Most lakes and flowages in the Upper Chippewa Basin have been ice free for about two weeks, but unseasonably cold weather has kept water temperatures down in the low 40-degree range and slowed up spawning progress for walleye and musky. Walleye have just completed their spawning ritual on all but the largest of the lakes and musky are just beginning on most waters. For walleye, many males will continue to be found along rocky shorelines and islands for the next week or so. Most of the larger females have retreated to deeper water for a short recovery period, but a fair number are starting to show up in the shallow, mud-bottom bays and weed flats for their post-spawn feeding binge. With a continued warming trend forecast for the weekend, look for a very good walleye bite for the game fish opener. Northern pike have also completed their spring spawning ritual and action should be fair, with the fish being found along emergent vegetation lines and over old weeds beds. The cold water temperatures have kept both largemouth and smallmouth bass in deeper water and generally inactive. But once water temperatures top 50 degrees, look for both species to start showing up in shallow water and in a more active feeding mode. For panfish, perch have mostly their completed spring spawning period and their skeins of eggs can be seen along shore in 2 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are about two weeks away from spawning, with bluegill and pumpkinseed likely beginning in three to four weeks. Some nice crappie and bluegill have been showing up in the shallow, warmer bays and action could be good if water temperatures get up to 50 degrees in these warmer protected bays. Trout stocking has been completed on most trout lakes and prescribed streams, and anglers should find good action on opening morning. Most rivers and streams in northwest Wisconsin are seeing some relatively high flows, so stream anglers may want to consider the high-water conditions in their opening day plans. Mayfly nymphs have been seen moving in many waters so that may be a clue as to the type of lure to use (small spinners).
Good luck on the opener everyone. Post your success stories here. Don't forget the pictures.
Walleyemaxx
Here's this weeks DNR report for our neck of the woods.
Park Falls DNR Service Center area
Upper Chippewa Basin fisheries report (Price, Rusk, Sawyer Taylor and inland Ashland and Iron counties) - Most lakes and flowages in the Upper Chippewa Basin have been ice free for about two weeks, but unseasonably cold weather has kept water temperatures down in the low 40-degree range and slowed up spawning progress for walleye and musky. Walleye have just completed their spawning ritual on all but the largest of the lakes and musky are just beginning on most waters. For walleye, many males will continue to be found along rocky shorelines and islands for the next week or so. Most of the larger females have retreated to deeper water for a short recovery period, but a fair number are starting to show up in the shallow, mud-bottom bays and weed flats for their post-spawn feeding binge. With a continued warming trend forecast for the weekend, look for a very good walleye bite for the game fish opener. Northern pike have also completed their spring spawning ritual and action should be fair, with the fish being found along emergent vegetation lines and over old weeds beds. The cold water temperatures have kept both largemouth and smallmouth bass in deeper water and generally inactive. But once water temperatures top 50 degrees, look for both species to start showing up in shallow water and in a more active feeding mode. For panfish, perch have mostly their completed spring spawning period and their skeins of eggs can be seen along shore in 2 to 4 feet of water. Crappie are about two weeks away from spawning, with bluegill and pumpkinseed likely beginning in three to four weeks. Some nice crappie and bluegill have been showing up in the shallow, warmer bays and action could be good if water temperatures get up to 50 degrees in these warmer protected bays. Trout stocking has been completed on most trout lakes and prescribed streams, and anglers should find good action on opening morning. Most rivers and streams in northwest Wisconsin are seeing some relatively high flows, so stream anglers may want to consider the high-water conditions in their opening day plans. Mayfly nymphs have been seen moving in many waters so that may be a clue as to the type of lure to use (small spinners).
Good luck on the opener everyone. Post your success stories here. Don't forget the pictures.
Walleyemaxx