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Fishing Report

Category: Uncategorized

March 1, 2018

The ice continues to be the main topic for ice fisherman.  These warm days have definitely cost us some ice but not as much as you would think.  I would venture to say that we are still averaging 20″ of clear hard ice, and guys are still driving their trucks on as of this morning.  The landing is getting rough and without any cold nights coming up it may stop vehicles soon.  If you have a four wheeler or UTV the ramp off of my parking lot is in great shape, it hasn’t been exposed to all of the sand and salt that the landing does.  As far as fishing goes things are picking up.  The bluegills especially are getting active with limits being caught yesterday.  I still haven’t heard of big schools of perch by the lights but guys are catching some big ones to mix in with the bluegills over there.  The northern bite remains good with the east side of the lights producing the best fish.  The crappie bite is fair with some nice size but lacking in numbers.  Hopefully the cribs we built last Saturday help that out.  Late ice is here, get out and catch some slabs while you still can!

January 6, 2018

The bite remains good despite all of this cold weather that we have had.  The extended forecast looks really promising with lots of warmer weather coming up.  The bluegill bite in shallower water has been good, find a hole in the weeds and you will be in business.  The perch bite has slowed down in the dredge lines although there are still some around, but over by the lights depending on the day you can still get jumbos.  The crappies have been frustrating midday but early and late remain good.  The tip ups have been doing well over by the lights with some big bass being caught along with the northern.  There are lots of northern and bass in the dredge lines by the shop as well, but you have a better chance of catching one on a jig pole as you do a tip up for whatever reason.  I was able to get out fishing myself for the first time yesterday, below is a picture of what I ended up keeping.  I found that a widowmaker jig with B-Y baits plastic was the ticket.  Stop in and I will show you what I was using!

December 16, 2017

As with the last post there is not much new.  The ice has not thickened enough to get much farther out then the docks by the landing, and it sounds like other early spots are the same.  The only good news I have heard is that by the sailboat club people are able to creep out into the lake a bit.  As always be careful in a week or so we will be making some good ice!

December 6, 2017

The ice is coming, although the wind is slowing down the formation.  I think guys will start venturing out early next week?  Just to let everyone know I will have a ramp for ATVs and UTVs that goes from my parking lot straight onto the ice.  This is free for everyone to use, no more having to turn around and go back up the hill!  I am also going to have a shuttle run on the weekends from the shop out to Marge’s Island as soon as ice permits.  Stop in if you have any questions about that.  I am excited, we are set for a really good ice season on Lake Onalaska!

I will update the report with ice thickness regularly, so check back to see where it is at.

October 4, 2017

The fishing has remained very good, with some variability in the bite depending on the weather conditions each day.  The cold front that has just moved through should kick up the crappie and perch bite a notch.  If you have been waiting to target those two species the next week is most likely going to be the time to get out.  Guys are still hammering nice sized bluegills with reports of moderate sorting.  To sum it all up the fall bite is on, so get out and catch some fish while it is hot!

August 23, 2017

The bite overall on Lake Onalaska continues to be good.  Bluegills are still being caught in large numbers with a good ratio of keepers to small fish.  The early crappie bite is also still on, early and late in the day continue to be best, but guys are also doing well midday on cloudy or cooler days.  The northern continue their frenzy with just about everyone catching one whether or not they are trying to.  Stop into the shop and get the latest report!

July 27, 2017

The heavy rain has really slowed things down on the lake.  Luckily the river dropped quickly and we are already back to normal water levels, however the issue now is water clarity.  The good news is it is cleaning up fairly quickly and I expect decent visibility by the weekend.  If you are going out look for the clean water as there are pockets of it, guys have been having the best luck there.  As we turn the corner into August the fishing should start picking up as the fish transition from their summer to fall patterns.

May 31, 2017

The water dropped fast here on the lake.  We are maybe 6 inches above normal today, so there are no more high water issues on this side of the lake.  The river is still high however so exercise caution when going out on the main channel.  The bluegills are primed and ready to spawn so the next week or so should be excellent fishing.  I am already seeing a lot come in with the average being 8-8 1/2 inches.  There are plenty around the 9′ mark but the 10s are tough to come by.  The crappies have slowed way down and I suspect most have moved out to the sloughs off of the main channel, but a few guys are still able to dredge up some nice ones.  Pike continue to harass panfishermen so if you are looking for some northern they are not hard to find.

May 25, 2017

The high water has hit us at the worst time.  The fish initially shut down when the water came up, but now that the water has settled a bit they are turning back on.  I have gotten several reports of good bluegill fishing in shallow water.  The water should start dropping today but bring your rubber boots if you want to launch at Mosey’s Landing.  Hopefully by next week we will start seeing more normal levels.

April 11, 2017

The fishing pressure is really light right now on the lake.  I have started to see Crappies being caught and it should only get better from now on.  If you want crappies without the crowd now is the time.  The northern are late spawning this year so if you are after a big one keep that in mind.  Blackdeers and Lytles are both still slower than usual for this time of year, but the perch are biting by the dams still.

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