Finding Walleyes; Locating post-spawn fish
One of the most asked questions in my boat over the years is where do the walleyes go after they spawn? It is almost like they disappear. Catching walleyes during the spring spawning run in April can be really good and almost anyone can catch them. Post-spawn can be more of a challenge. I fish […]
Walleyes in Wisconsin’s Ceded Territory-Part Seven
Restoring equal protection, and walleyes On July 9th, 1868, the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution was ratified. The 14th Amendment requires equal protection of laws for all U.S. citizens. Section 1 of the Amendment states: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of […]
Walleyes in Wisconsin’s Ceded Territory – Part Six
The 14th Amendment and Indian Citizen Act Wisconsin’s fishing seasons are timed to allow fish to spawn. When this is combined with proper bag limits, it ensures an ongoing healthy population of fish. If managed properly, there should rarely be a need to restock the resource. But since 1985 Chippewa tribal members, who are U.S. […]
Put Your Show on Ice
Anglers Welcome Early Ice Anglers across Northeast Central Wisconsin, especially in Waupaca and Portage Counties, are celebrating an early, solid freeze-up. A strong early hard water season means better access and a longer overall fishing window. As one local angler put it, “The more ice the merrier.” Key Fishing Forecast: Low Water Outlook Anglers fishing […]
Sanity Lost on Winnebago – A Sturgeon Spearer’s Diary
Publisher Note: The 2026 Lake Winnebago system sturgeon season begins February 14th and will run for a maximum of 16 days or until harvest caps are met. 4:30 a.m.: Opening morning. Heading north on Highway 45 toward Winnebago with just the stars as my companions. Mentally sharp. Ready. Enthusiastic. I haven’t seen a sturgeon in […]
A Superior Tactic
With the setting sun splashing his growing shadow on the Lake Superior ice, Chris Beeksma abandons the portable shanty to feel an almost balmy February breeze, and sends the heavy beetle jig through the augured hole to seduce another lake trout. The journey down is a long one. Line screams off the reel for more […]
Wisconsin Fishing Memories
Growing up in the seventies, my best memories were kindled annually in mid-July. That’s when my brother and I headed north to Hayward from central Illinois with our aunt and uncle for two weeks of Northwoods fishing. The worst memory, plainly stated, was leaving. We fished Nelson Lake and the river that exited the lake […]
Scouting New Hardwater
The dead of winter. What do we do? Let’s go look at some new lakes for ice fishing. Tracking down and targeting a new lake is not as hard as you may think, but most people don’t like the idea of trudging out on foreign hardwater without any idea of where to start or where […]
Fishing in The Dark
When you’re targeting fish during low-light conditions, adjusting your presentation can make a big difference. Fish tend to become more active and less cautious as the light fades, but their feeding behavior also shifts, meaning your lure choice and technique should shift with it. Ice anglers have long known that the most productive times of […]
Hardwater Tips And Tricks
Ice fishing for sunfish, bluegills, pumpkinseeds and related members of the panfish clan is fun, packed with action, and can produce some of the best fish meals of the year. Hitting the ice with an organized plan, and taking care of details, makes the difference between going home empty handed or hauling in a mess […]