The blustery weather has had its impact on fishing the past weeks. The temperature drop with the cooler-than-normal evenings has also had a negative effect on recent fishing expeditions.
Water temperatures have dropped more than 10 degrees on most bodies of water that we checked within the past week, and that will make our cold-blooded fish friends pick up their energy levels a little and improve their appetites.
On most of the larger bodies of water it was hard to take advantage of this increased activity because of the high winds and high waves. Lake Michigan had 5- to-7-foot waves most of the week, resulting in small craft warnings.
On lakes like Lake Geneva, fishermen tried fishing along the protected north shore to avoid the wind, but with very little success.
But all the news is not bad right now. There has been some great fishing going on in spite of the wind. Fishing on the Mississippi River-Pool #6 near Genoa has been hot for crappies and bluegills.
Large schools of fish are building because of the cooler water and are moving into the backwaters and protected areas. Reports of catches of 50 to 60 keeper crappies in a few hours are common. Sonar can locate the schools, and the best baits have been minnows and small jigs.
The white bass are running in big schools in the Fox River at Oshkosh, Wis., as well. Again, sonar will be needed to locate and stay with the schools but there should be plenty of white bass for a great fish fry. A lucky fisherman or -woman can enjoy an occasional walleye and a few bluegills while working the school. Reports from most of the other area waters were that catching was slow and sizes were on the small size, but everyone expected things to improve as the winds die down and the temperatures stabilize.
This is a great time of year to plan that Saturday or weekend family fishing trip, as the campgrounds are not as crowded, the State Park Lodges have rooms available and the fall colors are starting to come into their own. It doesn’t get a lot better than this: good fishing weather, great scenery and family fun as well.
Until next time…keep a tight line.