SUN., NOV 26, 2006 – 1:07 AM

Outdoors: Walleyes, saugers to be had on Lake Wisconsin

GARY ENGBERG
For the State Journal

gengberg@chorus.net

PRAIRIE DU SAC – For anglers trying to get in a few more days of open-water opportunity before the freeze, now is a prime time to fish sprawling Lake Wisconsin for fat walleyes and saugers which are filling their stomachs for winter.

Located 30 miles northwest of Madison, the 9,500-acre lake is so good this time of year because its main forage base is gizzard shad, which are concentrated just off the main river channel and beginning their annual fall die-off. Walleyes and saugers gorge on these huge schools of baitfish, which can become so thick that modern electronics can’t penetrate them.

It’s not unusual for an angler to “mark” the schools on their locators, believing them to be in 15 feet of water, when in fact they are 25 feet deep.

The best locations to fish the lake for walleyes and saugers are near the ferry and bridge crossing at both the Merrimac side to the north and the Lodi side to the south. Anglers should look for the baitfish or forage schools just off the old river channel in water 20 to 25 feet deep.

Once you locate the forage (the walleyes will be close by), vertical jig those areas with a 1/4 to 1/8 -ounce jig tipped with a large fathead or chub about 4 inches long and plastic if desired. Use a heavy enough jig so that you can keep tapping the bottom with your jig/minnow combo. It is of utmost importance to be within a foot of the bottom for action.

The jig color doesn’t seem to be that important, but chartreuse, orange, glow and black are always good colors for this lake. Hair jigs work well too in the current because the flow gives the hair a pulsating action.

Vertical jigging a blade bait (Sonar’s or Zips) is another proven technique for the coldwater season. Lower the blade bait to the bottom and then rip them upward a foot or two and then allow the bait to fall naturally. This action triggers strikes which usually come on the lure’s fall.

Work the areas where you marked fish with your bow-mount trolling motor while keeping your line as vertical as possible. Being vertical and just off the bottom are the keys to catching these late-season fish. Action will continue until the water freezes sometime in December.

Weekdays are best to fish because boat numbers are limited and you can have the lake to yourself. The best boat launches are at Sunset Bay and Okee where the piers are still in the water.

SUN., NOV 26, 2006 – 1:07 AM

Outdoors: Walleyes, saugers to be had on Lake Wisconsin

GARY ENGBERG
For the State Journal

gengberg@chorus.net

PRAIRIE DU SAC – For anglers trying to get in a few more days of open-water opportunity before the freeze, now is a prime time to fish sprawling Lake Wisconsin for fat walleyes and saugers which are filling their stomachs for winter.

Located 30 miles northwest of Madison, the 9,500-acre lake is so good this time of year because its main forage base is gizzard shad, which are concentrated just off the main river channel and beginning their annual fall die-off. Walleyes and saugers gorge on these huge schools of baitfish, which can become so thick that modern electronics can’t penetrate them.

It’s not unusual for an angler to “mark” the schools on their locators, believing them to be in 15 feet of water, when in fact they are 25 feet deep.

The best locations to fish the lake for walleyes and saugers are near the ferry and bridge crossing at both the Merrimac side to the north and the Lodi side to the south. Anglers should look for the baitfish or forage schools just off the old river channel in water 20 to 25 feet deep.

Once you locate the forage (the walleyes will be close by), vertical jig those areas with a 1/4 to 1/8 -ounce jig tipped with a large fathead or chub about 4 inches long and plastic if desired. Use a heavy enough jig so that you can keep tapping the bottom with your jig/minnow combo. It is of utmost importance to be within a foot of the bottom for action.

The jig color doesn’t seem to be that important, but chartreuse, orange, glow and black are always good colors for this lake. Hair jigs work well too in the current because the flow gives the hair a pulsating action.

Vertical jigging a blade bait (Sonar’s or Zips) is another proven technique for the coldwater season. Lower the blade bait to the bottom and then rip them upward a foot or two and then allow the bait to fall naturally. This action triggers strikes which usually come on the lure’s fall.

Work the areas where you marked fish with your bow-mount trolling motor while keeping your line as vertical as possible. Being vertical and just off the bottom are the keys to catching these late-season fish. Action will continue until the water freezes sometime in December.

Weekdays are best to fish because boat numbers are limited and you can have the lake to yourself. The best boat launches are at Sunset Bay and Okee where the piers are still in the water.