Marathon County fishing reports

[AlumniClub]

For the big fishing stories, see our Fishing! FishOn! Wisconsin Fishing Forums. These forums cover other topics including Great Lakes Fishing, more on Tackle, etc.

This thread is the place to click "Post Reply" and tell us where the fish are biting in Marathon County!

You can also announce tournaments and such in this county here in this thread. (The main fishing forums recommended for that as well).

Please post this kind of information:

Subject Line: Lake or river name and what kind of fish are hitting

In the text: Please tell us whatever you can, including:

- where on the Lake / River
- what depth
- time of day
- bait / lure / presentation / colors
- boat access (and cost)

and anything else about the area like local bait shops, water hazards, alternative species and tackle in case the main stuff isn't happening, local places to stay, guide services, etc.

If it is an advertisement, put it in the classifieds; otherwise, hope you'll share some info for all. Just click "Post Reply".

GB2

[AlumniClub]

Big Lake DuBay is not the most attractive body of water around. But its cola-color waters hold a dynamite fishery. Walleye numbers are “decent or better,” and the size structure for this species is something special. Added to this fishery is action on some biiiiig Muskies – 50 inches or larger. True: they aren’t overly numerous, but they’re in there, and tying into one can offer the thrill of a decade if not a lifetime. Rounding out the menu are Crappies in the 10- to 14-inch range and Smallmouth Bass and Bluegills. The deep water above the DuBay Dam is a good spot to try for goggle eyes, says Jolly. Or work the channel edges with jig/minnow combinations. Too, the sandflats in the lake’s southern end are productive in the summer; troll with crankbaits for good action. For Muskies, work the stump fields with bright bucktails; the areas off Goose and Koss points and just above the Highway 34 bridge are especially good, as are the stumps and snags around Wambold Point. And don’t neglect the flooded timber in the lake’s southwest end or “The Hill” just above the DuBay Dam. This latter area is a rock bar, which drops away rapidly into deep water, and which attracts not only Muskies, but also Smallies and Crappies. The latter species can be taken with jig/minnow combinations, small crankbaits, or spinners. Largemouth Bass aren’t numerous in this lake, mostly because an abundant Carp population has zapped the weeds pretty well. You do find a few bigmouths, however, and if they aren’t enough, you can enter the annual Carp-shooting contest to take “bow-and-arrow-revenge” on the “Water Hogs.” Meanwhile, winter action, is excellent for Walleyes, Northerns, and Crappies.
GB2

Special thanks to Gregory Martens, owner of 3rd Avenue Sport Shop, 123 3rd Ave., Wausau (715) 842-4306 for the info provided. Information was provided from Sportsman Connection Map Guide Book

[AlumniClub]

Surprising no one, these two lakes are to be found around the city of Wausau in central Marathon County. They’re both well worth spending some time on, though Lake Wausau is definitely better than its near neighbor to the east. Gregory Martens, owner of 3rd Avenue Sport Shop, 123 3rd Ave., Wausau (715) 842-4306, says Lake Wausau is probably best-known for its Walleyes and Muskies, but there also are some good opportunities for both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappies and ‘gills. In the spring, says Martens, you’ll find Walleyes in the northeast arm of the lake, between County Road N and the dam and power plant on the Wisconsin River. The whole area is good, says Martens, but the rocks just below the dam are excellent for both goggle eyes and Smallies, as is the area behind Picnic Island. As the water warms, move farther south to the long bar between the lake’s two northern arms. You’ll find Walleyes off the deep side of the bar and Largemouth patrolling the weeds and edges. The deeper holes and trenches off Asylum Point, too, are good Walleye country during the summer, as is the river channel just below the point. The goggle eyes and Perch, as well, are attracted to these locations by the current. Even farther south, fish around the maze of islands and bars west of Schofield, and don’t neglect the intricate bars, trenches, and channels where the lake makes its big, westward bend toward Highway 53. Martens says you can profitably spend an entire day in this one area. For Muskies, Martens recommends fishing the weedbeds on both sides of the river channel near the County Road N causeway. And he suggests the stump field right off the County NN/N intersection. However, you’ll need to watch your outboard carefully amongst the snags. The Eau Claire Flowage, meanwhile, offers good early ice action in nice ‘gills, and good spring fishing for Largemouth and Northerns. However, says Martens, summer fishing is problematic because of heavy weed growth. If you must fish in summer, he says, bring a ton of small jigs and minnows and drop your rig down through the weeds wherever you can find a hole. Or, he suggests, head upstream to the Yellow Banks area to fish for Smallies. Action is good for this species, he notes.

GB2

Special thanks to Gregory Martens, owner of 3rd Avenue Sport Shop, 123 3rd Ave., Wausau (715) 842-4306 for the info provided. Information was provided from Sportsman Connection Map Guide Book