Start out again this week with ice conditions. The area in front of the shop continues to thicken with plenty of ice for walking and ATV traffic if you stay in the well travelled areas. The rain we have had lately has done very little damage to the ice where it was good. What I am noticing is the warmups and rain will open up areas that were not safe to be traveled on anyways. The coldsnap we are having this week is definitely making some more ice. Hopefully we can get some more temps like that so guys can start driving trucks out.The fishing this week has remained good, between the rain and the wind the fishing pressure has been light the last few days. Not a ton of new information to report. Perch are still being caught over by the lights as well as some nice bluegills. If you haven’t seen the picture on my facebook page of the 42″ Northern caught last weekend check it out! www.facebook.com/schafersriverrentals Tip ups continue to do well both shallow and deep. In the deeper water it is still a mixed bag, with the perch numbers not as good as they were (I think they have moved shallow). Crappies still have been outperforming my expectations this winter, if you get them dialed in you can catch some nice fish. Spoons have been working well out here, stop in and I can recommend a few.
January 3, 2019
Much to everyone who called in the last few days surprise the lake did not lose much from the rain last week. In addition to that at least in the dredged area of the lake most of the ice is getting close to the 10″ mark with some areas over a foot. Other parts of the lake continue to struggle. I get a lot of calls about best ways to access the airport lights. From what I have been told the shortest way is going straight across from the Nelson park landing and cutting over land. I imagine their is a visible trail by now. I still don’t think you can get to the lights from by me. As far as the fishing goes I have been getting a lot of good reports. The crappies have turned on and been biting with much more frequency then last week and I have seen some nice ones come through the shop. The perch bite has been good over by the lights both in size and quantity. I hope everyone is appreciating the world class perch fishery we have, and realizing what that without good water or habitat those fish wouldn’t be here! The bluegill bite has also been good and the size remains above average. Northerns have really started to pop, the pressure has been light for them considering the success guys are having with tip ups.
That being said I don’t want to get on a soap box but I want to encourage everyone to get involved with a local conservation club. This lake is a perfect example of a body of water that needs to be actively managed to prevent it from filling in with sediment from the river. What I have learned since owning this shop is that the local clubs and groups are the ones able to make the most impact on projects on our fisheries but they are lacking the people at times to get as much done as they would like. Just remember that if everyone doesn’t pitch in to help preserve what we have it could disappear quickly!
Stop in and get the latest report!
December 27, 2018
As I write this we are getting a good dose of rain which is making for some miserable fishing conditions. There are still quite a few guys out despite the weather and it seems like the fish are sticking to the same pattern as the last week or so. It has been good early and late, with some guys doing well midday. Over by the lights the perch fishing has been heating up, access continues to be the biggest issue. Hopefully the cold headed our way can tack on a few more inches so wheelers can make it around Rosebud soon. Stop in for the latest report!
December 20, 2018
This warm weather has slowed down the ice growth. Luckily in the areas guys have been fishing we had a couple extra inches to spare. If you have been fishing areas with current just be aware that it may be thinner than the last time you were out. The good news is colder weather is on the way which should firm up everything quickly. There are plenty of fish out in the dredge lines anywhere between 10-15 feet, you just need to be on them when they turn on. Mornings and afternoons have been best with midday being slower. A few guys have been able to pull in nice fish around lunch time so it isn’t a lost cause. The fishery here on the lake is really healthy this winter with all panfish species running large, and I am expecting this winter to be dynamite! With my expanded tanks I am now carrying 3 sizes of shiners, two sizes of rosie reds, crappie, and walleye minnows. My freshwater tanks keep them healthy and lively! Stop in to get the latest news.
December 13, 2018
The fishing has been excellent so far on Lake Onalaska ever since the ice thickened up and guys were able to spread out a bit more. Ice from the shop to Marge’s Island (with the exception of the dredge line running the shore of Rosebud) is around 7″. The dredge line next to Rosebud is around 4″ because of the current. The bite has slowed down directly in front of the shop, but to the east the fishing has been very good. Guys are catching a mixed bag of crappies, bluegills, and perch with 10-13 ft being the best depth to target. There are some jigs and plastics that work better than others. Stop by and I can show what has been working!
December 6, 2018
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!
November 29, 2018
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!
October 18, 2018
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!
October 11, 2018
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!
October 4, 2018
As usual the weather is the biggest variable this last week. Between the rain, wind, and large temperature swings mother nature has been throwing it all at us. Even with all of the weather the fish bite has remained consistently good. I continue to hear from guys that are amazed at the size of bluegills that you can consistently catch even with all of the pressure so far this fall. The crappie bite is in full swing and I would consider this year to be an average year in terms of number and size for them. The biggest change in the last week is the number of jumbo (12+) perch being caught. It really seems like some schools of larger perch have moved in and I am seeing a lot of big ones caught. The bass and northern bite remains good as well, the key is finding the weed beds that are still green. Good luck and swing in for the latest report.