May 4, 2023 at 2:03 p.m.
Fishing season set to kick off Saturday
Fishing season set to kick off Saturday
Do not forget the fishing license
Department of Natural Resources warden Chris Bartelt said, by far, the biggest infraction he sees on opening weekend of fishing season is an expired fishing license.
Licenses expire at the end of March every year and anglers sometimes forget to renew their license.
Like all licenses, fishing licenses can be renewed online on the GoWild system. It takes less than five minutes to get a current fishing license. In many cases, anglers can use their driver's license as proof of a fishing license.
Alternatively, Go Wild Conservation Cards have been used for the last several years.
Anglers need not purchase a new card each year, but license information will be added to that card each year as the angler purchases a license.
Licenses can be purchased at gowild.wi.gov.
Boaters should also make sure their boat registration is current.
This can be renewed online as well.
Safety
Bartelt said he also wants boaters and anglers to keep safety in mind as they dust off boating cobwebs from the previous year. Anglers should ensure that life jackets are aboard for all who will be heading out in the boat. They must be in good repair and sized appropriately for each person.
A throwable, if required, should also be onboard with a length of rope.
Besides life jackets, fire extinguishers are also required on any vessel with any type of enclosed space, regardless of the size of the boat. An enclosed fuel tank, a false floor or anywhere gas fumes can accumulate would mean the boat should have a fire extinguisher onboard that is fully charged and within its service date.
Boat batteries should be completely charged. Anglers should also be sure their fuel tank is full, he said. Getting stranded on the water is never a good thing, and can even be dangerous in the early season with colder temperatures and likely faster moving water in many locations.
"Anglers should also let somebody know where they are going out on the water," Bartelt said. Leave an itinerary with someone so they know where you're going and when you'll be back."
This is especially important for anglers fishing alone.
A fully charged cellphone is also a good idea. This would allow an angler to call for help should something go wrong on the water. Anglers should remember, however, that cellphone batteries deplete much more quickly in colder temperatures.
Having a flare in the boat is not required on non-Coast Guard patrolled waters, but they can help in an emergency. Boat issues can arise quickly when temperatures are cold and a boat has not been running for months. Having a way to flag down another boat is always a good idea.
Fishing regulations
Bartelt also said anglers should know the fishing regulations. More and more lakes have specialized fishing regulations attached to them. This is especially true of panfish, while biologists research which regulations are bringing about the best results for improved size structure.
"We have a push to have signage at all of the landings before the opener," he said. "But all it takes is one person to come along and pull those down."
Lake-specific regulations are available in the 2023 regulation booklet and also online.
Panfish
Brian Manthey from LT Bait and Tackle said he has been seeing a good number of eagles perched along the river below the dam on the Rainbow Flowage. That, he said, means fish are nearby. His last time out he saw 10 eagles in a two-mile stretch, perched in trees waiting to swoop down and grab a bite to eat.
Right now panfishing is good below the dam, he said. The perch will be coming in to spawn and once they do, they will be hungry. The river, he said, is the hot spot.
Most anglers are using live bait for panfish, Manthey said. Crappie minnows and fatheads are getting good results. Night crawlers are doing well also.
Early walleyes
On lakes where the ice has just come off, Kurt Justice of Kurt's Island Sports said anglers should find the walleye rushing in to the shallows to dump their eggs. This year they have had to carry their eggs longer than normal, so they will be up quickly once the ice comes off.
Baits such as stick baits or anything with a tight wiggle should be the ticket in the evenings. Slow rolling a swim bait could also be a good tactic. Fast moving baits should be saved for later when the water is warmer. Crawlers and leeches, he said, will also be "in vogue."
Beckie Gaskill may be reached via email at [email protected].
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