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Petenwell Flowage Info
Petenwell Flowage lies brooding along the border of Adams and Juneau counties in central Wisconsin. At 23,040 acres, it’s the second-largest lake in the state. And it has a fishery to match its giant size. Muskies are one of the big drawing cards. They’re planted annually by a private sportsman’s organization, and they grow to be fairly large. The stump-filled backwaters off the Wisconsin River, north of the lake-proper, are good spots to fish for late spring Muskies. Throw a #5 Mepps or small bucktail this time of year. As the water begins to warm a bit, focus on the channel cuts toward the northern end of the lake, paying special attention to the current breaks. You can do well in these areas with jerkbaits or in-line spinners right through summer. In fall, hunt for Muskies farther south. The riprapped shoreline around the west levee is known as good fall Muskie country, as is the old roadbed/rock bar just north of Monroe Park on the east side. Petenwell, meanwhile, is a hotbed for Walleye activity, particularly in the spring. One of the best-known spots is by the dam off Highway 21. Here in the spring, you could jump from boat to boat all the way across without getting wet. And the same is true in the area south of the Nekoosa dam on the far north. Yes: the fishing pressure is THAT heavy in the spring. But it dies down quickly, come June, to the point where there are few anglers most days, even on weekends. During windy conditions in summer, drift or backtroll the “Yellow Banks” area around 4th Street, near the northern end of the lake on the west side. And don’t miss vertical jigging the quick drop off Hall’s Point. On the east shore, good bets are the nice drop right out from Petenwell County Park. And the bay north of the park, too, can be fished with some success for Walleyes, as well as Crappies and Smallmouth Bass. Finally, in the fall, try shallow Barnum Bay toward the northeast. You’ll catch Walleye at night here in 3 feet of water, fishing crankbaits or spoons, just as you would normally for Northern Pike. Of course, you might just tie into a Northern while you’re at it, for this is also good “alligator” country. Petenwell Crappies, meanwhile, can be taken early around Skibba Slough and Fourteen Mile Creek in the north end. Later, you’ll want to fish the deeper channel cuts with jig/minnow combinations. Petenwell, too, is well-known for its White Bass. Usually they’ll be found near the Nekoosa dam in the spring, but they move out into the lake in the summer. Then, you’ll have to watch for surface feeding and toss small spinners or jig/Twister Tail combos.
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