Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg March 24th, 2008

I thought that spring had finally sprung has week, but I was fooled again by the weather “gods.” Most of the snow that we had gotten all winter had disappeared in the open areas, but not my yard where I still have a couple of feet of snow due to the tall trees that I have growing at my river-side home. The snow that our area received Friday has added to the record snowfall that we’ve already had this winter. I know that I’ve received over 100 inches of snow at my home! Even though spring is now here, I think that there still will be more snow between now and May 1^st.

I think that I’ve written about how I’ve kept a “book” for years on the weather, fishing trends, and other significant happenings during the year. The spring walleye fishing is usually in full swing by now and many of the biggest fish of the year are caught during the first week of March. This year’s hot walleye fishing will be later by up to two weeks or more unless there is a major warm-up which doesn’t seem likely. The temperatures have been anywhere from 10 to 15 degrees below normal and next week’s forecast doesn’t look like anything is going to change. The forecast calls for temperatures in the low to mid 40’s and a chance of a rain and snow mix a few days.

This past weekend, I ran into Sauk Conservation Warden John Buss at the VFW boat landing where he was checking the few hardy anglers that were out fishing this past weekend. Buss said that by his memory, the best and hot walleye and sauger action occurs three days either side of April 1^st. According to John, this is when the walleyes really turn-on. But, John agreed with me that fishing is behind schedule and the good fishing is still weeks away. The Wisconsin River water temperature this weekend was between 33 and 35 degrees. This is still very cold for fish and even northern pike that spawn first when the water temperature is around 39 degrees are still sluggish and not out of their winter doldrums.

Anglers are catching both walleyes and saugers below the dam at Prairie du Sac, but many of the fish are small male walleyes and saugers which are always active before the females come in and spawn when the water temperature hits the magic 42 to 45 degree mark. The fish are being caught on the standard jig/minnow combination, jig/plastic (twister tails, shad tails, and ringworms), and the basic hook, minnow, and split shot rig. Always, have a few rods rigged up differently so that you can try different techniques and tactics for these early spring walleyes. Regularly, change your colors, jigging action, and presentations because these river fish regularly change what they want and how they want your bait presented.

The boat landings on the Wisconsin River are all in good shape and if you have the fever then get out and spend some time on the river.
Saugers have a 15 inch minimum and taste as well as walleyes. They seem to be a little more active than the walleyes which have an 18 inch minimum and a daily bag limit of 3 fish of any combination.

Most anglers are anchoring and casting, vertical jigging, and rigging directly below the dam. The successful anglers that I’ve talked to; have been catching most of their fish in water that is 20 to 25 feet deep. Both walleyes and saugers are going to be within a foot of the bottom of the river. Ideally, walleyes like to wait in ambush behind something that breaks the current (allowing them to conserve energy), swim out and grab any food or forage that floats by, and then return to their resting spot. However you fish, make sure that you’re presentations and fishing techniques are very slow. Sometimes, the fish want your bait just to be lying on the bottom without you moving it at all. As I always say in the spring, slow, slow, and slower when spring walleye fishing.

Another good tactic this time of the year is to wade during low-light periods of the day (early morning or the hour before dark and after) when many walleyes will move shallow to feed. This is the time that you want to cast crankbaits with a tight wobble like a Rapala Husky Jerk or a Mann’s Stretch bait in shad colors or cast and slowly work back a jig and plastic. When casting crankbaits vary your retrieve, twitch it now and when, and at times just let it sit still. Experiment with different kinds of plastic like shads, ringworms, and twister tails in the colors of black/white, blue/white, fire-tiger, chartreuse, white, black, electric blue, and purple. You should be able to get by with a 1/8^th ounce jig without getting constantly snagged. If wading, always where a life jacket and try to fish with a partner.

Try to fish away from the crowds below the dam and I always say this, but few people really do it. You may not catch as many fish as those below the dam, but the fish that you catch will be less pressured and often larger. The Wisconsin River is very shallow down-river, but there are many early spring locations where big females will stage and spawn. Anglers should remember that not all fish go to the dam in the spring. Many will stage miles below any dam and this includes the Dells, Castle Rock, Petenwell, and Nekoosa. The same is true in all rivers including the Mississippi River.

By the way, Clements Fishing Barge on the Mississippi River below Genoa is now open and a great place for early fishing and those who don’t have boats. An angler can fish all day at Clements for only $16.00 and children less than 12 years for $5.00 a day. They may be contacted at!-(800)-903-4903 or email them at clements@mwt.net .

Anglers should also be very careful if they’re still ice fishing. There’s still plenty of ice on most lakes, but it’s getting to the “iffy” times when you have to use extreme caution. Don’t ever venture out on the ice without a life jacket and try to fish with a buddy or partner. If fishing alone, be sure and tell someone where you are and bring along a cell phone for emergencies. This also isn’t a good time to bring dogs and children on the ice.

Most of the good panfishing is in shallow water and where the fish will first be when the ice cover is gone. This is a time for great ice fishing, but access is tough with the melting edges and shorelines on most lakes. Now, Cherokee Marsh, on the north end of Lake Mendota is a good location, as are the inlets like Marshall Park, Spring Harbor, and County Park. Most lakes in the central and northern part of the state will have good perch and panfishing for a few more weeks.

The spring turkey season is not that far away and everyone who applied for a permit should have received it by now. There are over 50,000 extra permits that go on sale March 28^th, 2008 at 10:00 AM. Check the DNR website to see what areas and time periods are available.

This is the time to get out and do some turkey scouting. I talked to Scott Hull, the DNR upland game ecologist, the other day and and he thought that turkeys would come through the winter in decent shape, while quail and pheasants will have had a tougher time. A turkey can lose up to 40% of their body weight and still survive. They can spend up to two weeks on the roost before starving to death.

While turkey scouting, be sure to look for some antler sheds.

The Baraboo Range Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is having their banquet at the Chula Vista Resort, Saturday, April 5^th, 2008 at 5:00 PM. Contact Larry Nagy at (608)-742-2233 for information.

The Sauk Prairie FFA Alumni are having a Sportsman’s Banquet to raise funds for the group. The event is Saturday, April 12^th, 2008 at 5:00 PM. They have good gear for their raffle with guns and outdoor gear. Call Mike Dunse at (608)-643-0498 for details.

The Capital City Chapter of Muskies, Inc. is having their 24^th Annual Muskie Seminar on Thursday, April 17^th, 2008 at 7:00 PM. The event is at Brian’s on Baker Street in Waunakee. Steve Heiting, the editor of Musky Hunter magazine and an excellent angler will speak. There are raffles, door prizes, and much more. Call Steve Reinstra at (608)-241-0210 for information.

If you have events, photos, or story ideas contact me at gengberg@chorus.net or gengberg@garyengbergoutdoors.com with your ideas and check out the website.

• Fishing , Walleye , Turkeys , Panfish , My Local Column , River Currents , Wisconsin River , Ice Fishing , Sauger