Fishing Report

All good news to report this week!  We are steadily putting on ice with guys making it out to Marges Island.  Out in front of the shop we have 5+ inches.  Still need to be careful going close to Rosebud Island, although that should thicken up nicely the next few nights.  The fishing has been very good considering the areas that we are still limited to.  Guys have been catching a mixed bag of Bluegills, Crappies, and Perch.  The bite has been pretty steady through the day as well which is always nice.  Down by fishermans rd I have been told the ice is about 5 inches as well, and guys are catching Bluegills and Crappies.  There are also guys doing well on bass using tip ups and small shiners.  I have added minnow tanks so I will be carrying a larger variety and supply down here compared to previous years.  Stop in and get the latest report!

I can’t say I have much of a fishing report yet, however I do have some information on the ice for everyone.  The early cold has been welcome for everyone who is eager to get out but with the temperature swings we aren’t getting a hard fast freeze like last year.  This weekend has the potential to do some damage to the ice as well, so fish with a buddy and use your spud!  The last two days guys have been fishing out in front of the shop and reported 3 to 3 1/2 inches of ice.  There did make it to the dredge line and about 100 yards east and west of the landing.  Fishermans rd has about 4 inches and people have been out there for multiple days now.  Camp 22 has had fisherman on it but I have not gotten an ice report.  Lauderdale’s has guys on it now as well.  Again be careful if you go out this weekend, next week has some colder temps that will make some good ice for us!  Stop in and I will let you know what I have heard!

I am starting to feel like a broken record but weather continues to create problems!  The front that came through on Sunday with the snow completely shut down the fishing.  By Tuesday the fish started cooperating and it seems to improve day to day.  There have not been a ton of guys out with the challenging conditions, however the guys that I have talked to are catching bluegills and crappies.  I don’t have a good feel for the perch right now I haven’t spoken to anyone who has been targeting them specifically.  With the exception of Saturday the extended forecast looks pretty steady as far as temps go so I expect the bite to remain decent.  Stop in and I will let you know what I have heard!

The weather continues to be the biggest factor in what is affecting the bite.  I can’t even give an accurate report with the temps swinging from 60’s to 40’s.  The rain we have gotten has reduced water clarity in parts of the lake, and it remains to be seen if the high water coming down the river will dirty the lake or not.  With the crest in La Crosse expected to be around 11.2 the fishing should remain good, I think water clarity will be the biggest variable.  Through yesterday the bite has been great.  I found a few hours to get out myself yesterday afternoon and did very well on perch.  What I would take away from this is that the fish are still down there, you might need to try something or somewhere different to get them!  Stop in and I can give you the latest info!

The cold weather is here and we are really getting into the fall bite.  The bluegill bite has continued to be excellent with good size.  The perch are moving in more and more, I have started seeing jumbos getting caught.  A lot of crappies are suspended over deep water with minnows working well.  There is a steady bite all day in regards to the crappies, but the biggest fish are being caught early in the morning and later in the evening.  Bass and northern are in there fall feeding frenzy as well.  The best advice I can give is we are in one of the best times of the year to catch fish.  Get out and have some fun before it is over!

All of the rain we have gotten this week has not slowed down the bluegill bite one bit here on Lake Onalaska.  When the temps got up into the 90’s this past weekend it did slow things down for a day or two but we are right back at it!  If you are looking for crappies a fair amount are hanging out around 8-10 feet.  It is always difficult to get a handle on how exactly the crappie bite is going to be.  I know so far like the bluegills they have been running bigger this year.  My theory is that we are seeing the benefits of poor fishing this spring.  In regards to the perch the 9-10 inchers are being caught with more regularity, and I think there will be a big upswing in both numbers and size over the next 10 days or so with cooler weather moving in.  Stop in and get the latest report!

The area is getting exactly what was needed with a stretch of dry weather.  The lake is at normal weather with good water visibility and the river is dropping quickly.  The bluegill fishing has been excellent in the last week, with many reports of big healthy fish with little sorting.  The crappies have also become more active especially in the mornings and afternoons.  I expect that the coming cooldown will really kick them into gear.  Perch are still being caught here and there but it doesn’t seem like they are schooled up real tight yet.  I expect that to change soon!  Bass and northern remain active, some weed beds are starting to lay down and you are able to start throwing something that has treble hooks again!  Stop in for the latest report.

It seems like Mother Nature doesn’t want to make life to easy for fisherman with all of the rain we have gotten recently.  That being said we are pretty lucky here on Lake Onalaska.  Water conditions are still normal, and the bite has remained good.  If you are looking to fish pool 8 I would definitely get a report from a shop in La Crosse because I have heard that it is quite a mess right now.  The bluegills are still going strong as I think they will for the next month or so.  Lots of nice sized gills with very little sorting.  The crappies have started moving in with a few guys catching their limits although I think we are still a few weeks off from peak bite.  Perch remain elusive but guys are starting to pick up more every week.  The fall bite is on get out and get your fish!

First off to let everyone know who is wondering Lake Onalaska was not impacted by the heavy rains south of here, and the fishing is improving daily.  If you are after bluegills guys are catching a lot of them, and there is not much sorting going on.  I think with the difficult conditions this spring and summer means that there will be more quality fish to be caught this fall.  There have been crappies being caught but we are not yet to peak crappie fishing yet.  I have also started to see some nice perch, don’t be afraid to target them in shallower water.  Stop in to get the latest report and hot baits!

We have started to turn the corner into what I call the “fall fishing cycle”.  The bluegill bite has steadily improved over the last couple of weeks, and the crappies have started to filter back into the east side of the lake.  It is still a bit early to get into a steady perch bite, but you will pick up a jumbo or two while you fish for other panfish.  The fishing should continue to get better and better as we get more cool mornings and we get closer to fall.  The river is FINALLY back down to normal levels and I have fished out there a bit myself.  The flow is good and the walleyes and smallmouth are biting on the wing dams.  Guys targeting northern are getting them deep, and the bass bite on the lake has remained good.  Stop in and get the latest report!