Checking In
The last time I got out fishing was January 19. Ambient temp was tickling 40. The only open water was essentially trout streams–with ice a factor on trout streams, too.
The recent arctic blast which had folks making snowmen on the beach at Panama City, Fla. Shut hardwater fishing down on the upper Miss for a few days too.
Experience teaches the most productive dead-of-winter action in near French Island on Lake Onalaska and off of Fisherman’s road off I-90 exit 2 in Black River.
Use extreme caution here. There is one secret spot where the bottom drops away from 6 fow to 20+. Walleye/perch right on the breakline, crappies suspended about halfway down.
On lake Onalaska, the flats out from the “goal post” landing lights on the approach to LAX airport hold a nice mess of panfish, mostly perch, on tip downs baited with rosy reds while working a 3rd rod with a # Puppet minnow or small Buckshot Rattle spoon in perch pattern.
Last winter we had fairly safe access to the Genoa dam tailwaters by Feb. 16 via boat @ the power plant launch. This winter it may be March 1st before we can break out the long rods here again with at least a 50/50 chance of not getting trapped by the ice.
I’m going under the knife next Thursday to fix a foot which has been giving me grief for the past 21 months. The doc says i will be off the foot for about 3 weeks. Plan on honoring the MD’s order…unless we see above freezing temps for 3-4 consecutive days which should mean at least limited access to the open water option.