Fishing Reports

Fishing action better than average on the opener.

What and where they’re catching ’em from Green Bay to southern Lake Michigan to northern Lake Michigan.

The only reports of crappies being caught, and they were limited, are primarily taking place in deeper water. Look to spots just outside those shallow, traditional spring locations for suspended crappies or bluegills tight to bottom, until water temperatures again warm up.

Yes, it’s very early, but anglers are starting to catch crappies and panfish from boats and from shore.

Start looking to those traditional spring crappie spots as water temperatures warm.

Wisconsin Outdoor News readers from central and southwestern counties report some good stream trout action during the early season.

Another winter of walleye, bass, and northern pike seasons will come to a close on the state’s inland lakes on Sunday, March 7. Heading into that weekend, most reports still indicate fairly slow walleye activity.

Walleyes, panfish, and pike just weren’t very active in most areas – people reported seeing fish on their electronics, but getting them to bite through the cold snap was very difficult. Downsizing presentations and working them slower seemed to tip the odds in anglers’ favor.

The best walleye activity continues to come during low-light periods or the overnight hours and tip-ups with minnows are producing more fish than jigging with spoons. There seems to be better numbers of fish being caught in deep water, even after dark, in about 20 to 30 feet.