May 12, 2022 at 12:15 p.m.
Opening fishing weekend brought mixed results
Weeks ahead should bring good fishing
Opening fishing weekend brought mixed results
"I think the later ice has actually been beneficial," said Nick Theiry from Kurt's Island Sport Shop. "People have been doing really good on the flowages for walleyes." Minnows and live bait were the ticket opening weekend, he said. When fishing shallower, anglers were also having good luck with stick baits and smaller plastics.
Crappies, too, have been cooperating with anglers, Theiry said. They are starting to stage and come in to spawn. Sunny days will be good times to find this tasty table fare sunning themselves in the warmer, shallow water.
Jeff Smith from J&J Sports in Lake Tomahawk said reports over opening weekend were mixed.
"Some guys were catching fish and others were having problems," he said. "Overall, though, it was a good opening weekend. We were happy with the weather, at least."
The fish seemed to turn on more Sunday, he said, with more anglers reporting successful days on the water. Smith sold far more flatheads to anglers over opening weekend than anything else, but there was some action on chubs as well.
"River guys were having some good luck with minnows and Rapalas, too," he said.
According to anglers on the Rainbow Flowage, walleyes were already spawned out there, with males hanging around in the shallows. The females were gone already, but he suspected they should start eating again by this weekend, making for some good fishing. The river, however, was a different story, Smith said. There, anglers were catching females with eggs still in them.
Perch were up in the shallows over opening weekend as well, Smith said, with anglers having luck with tiny jigs, 1/16 to 1/32 in size using small fatheads and crappie minnows, or with a split shot with a small crawler.
Early mornings and right before dark should be key times to fish coming up this weekend, Smith said. Water temperatures last weekend were fairly steady across the board with most reporting 46-48 degrees. The occasional 50 degree temperature was found also. He felt the next few weeks should bring some great angling action on area lakes.
Gary Mangerson from The Fishing Hole in Rhinelander said anglers he talked to reported some action with smaller walleyes, but it seemed the females had not moved up yet to spawn in some bodies of water. Minnows and smaller plastics were key with anglers he spoke to on opening weekend.
Overall, anglers had a good deal of success on opening weekend and conditions look to be improving even more in the days ahead. Free fishing weekend is coming up June 4-5. Free fishing weekend is a great opportunity for those who may have yet to find the love of the pursuit.
No licenses are needed on inland waters that weekend, so fishing is free to try. All other regulations such as size and daily bag limits will apply, so anglers should keep those in mind when heading out. With water warming, conditions should line up well for some great success during that weekend as well.
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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