We have continued to run behind schedule with the fall bite, which has been the pattern since spring. The bluegill bite continues to be decent but not what you normally see by this time. The perch are slowly picking up, I think it really correlates to the vegetation. As their cover falls down they move out and start schooling. Crappies are around on the lake and you can catch them, but again not to the extent you would expect by this time. You might want to think about keeping the boat out, either the season is going to run late, or their is going to be a compressed window that will be phenomenal.

Thanks,

Chad

Alright I have finished my vacation from this and you can expect weekly updates from here on out. The warm water fishing as a whole on Pool 7 has been way below average mostly due to the extended high water. The way I look at it though is the fish are still out there getting fatter, and it was also ideal spawning conditions for most species. We should see an overall improved fishery for the next several years because of it.

In regards to the fishing right now we are running a few weeks behind the normal cycle for Lake Onalaska, usually the bluegills are in and feeding heavily. You can still go out and have a good day, however you will have to work to find them. A few guys have been able to find the crappies and perch, take a look at my facebook page to see a picture from last week. If you have been waiting to go out on the main channel we are now close to 6 feet, and the water conditions are probably the best they have this summer and last.

Stop in and get the latest report!

Thanks,

Chad

I apologize for the lack of updates, the water levels made fishing very difficult this spring. Just wanted to let everyone know who has been waiting the bluegills are up in the shallows and getting ready to spawn. I have not heard of any being spawned out yet, but the forecast is warm so I imagine they will soon. Bass and northern fishing has been good, crappies were and have been really tough, and perch have been so so. Hopefully the water keeps dropping!

Thanks,

Chad

The high water continues and with the rain we are getting today it looks like we are going to go back up a few tenths. Fishing is starting to pick up a bit with crappies and northern being caught. The water has come down enough to make the landing pretty easy to launch on. Hopefully the water gets back to normal soon!

Thanks,

Chad

Late ice is going by about as quickly as is possible.  Its a real bummer because this is when the fish really start biting well.  As far as ice conditions we are starting to see some significant deterioration of the main ice sheet.  Guys are saying that we have around 15 inches left with probably 10 of it being clear solid ice.  That’s quite a bit of ice lost considering that we were between 25-30 inches 2 weeks ago  Ever since last Friday overnight into Saturday the shorelines got wet due to the lake rising about a foot overnight.  Guys are still able to access off of the docks at the landing with ease, and there was one ATV out yesterday.  As far as the fishing goes guys are hammering crappies with some nice ones being caught.  Multiple reports of fish over 15 inches with an average of 11-12.  If you are willing to make the walk they are down by Marge’s Island.  They are also picking up a few perch but I have not heard of anyone targeting perch successfully.  The high water mixed with the poor clarity is changing the normal fish patterns and guys have really struggled to get on any sort of consistent bite besides the one I mentioned.  That being said if we see an improvement in clarity it should improve the overall bite.  Stop in for the latest report, conditions are changing quickly!

Also another note I don’t mind taking phone calls but please remain brief I have been receiving about 30 calls a day.  If I don’t answer I am on the phone with someone else or helping a customer.  Also I do not return messages when guys ask me to call them back with a report.

Thanks,

Chad

I really think we are about to hit a tipping point in the next week.  We have warm weather on the horizon and the perch are ready to go.  I know the local guides have been able to find active perch but overall they have not picked up yet.  If you only have one shot at the perch I would give it at least another week.  I really do think that my next report will be that the perch are biting.  Hopefully we can get a good 3-4 weeks of late ice and get some quality fishing in.  I do not have much of a fishing report at all, the lake has been a ghost town this week.  Keep your head up though, we are heading into my favorite time of the ice season!  Stop in for the latest report!

Thanks,
Chad

Once again the weather is the main topic on everyone’s mind. The storm this past weekend has impacted the lake quite a bit. Fisherman’s Rd is no longer open, the airport closed the gate and they are not committing to a date when the road will open again. They had to take the snowblower for the runway out there to get two guys out over the weekend. There are some significant slushy areas on the ice which is preventing guys from driving much farther then Marges Island. They seem to be getting around ok in the dredged areas however. I have spoken to the warden several times now about permanent shanties and if you are having issues removing yours give him a call and they are willing to work with you on it. If you want more information on that feel free to call me as well.

As far as the fishing goes the pressure has been really light this week so reports have been few and far between. The perch are starting to move around, they are starting to pick up some here and there in front of the shop. A couple of groups have also run tip ups out from me and they are picking up northerns. I don’t have any information on bluegills or crappies if you head out let me know how it goes! My report is only as good as the information that I get from fisherman!

You can’t catch them from the couch!

Thanks,

Chad