Marinette County Fishing Friends Thread

[keith]

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 Marinette 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".

Regards,
Keith

p.s.: If you're local and want to know when they're biting, click "Watch this topic for replies" below and an email will be sent to you whenever someone posts here. (You must be a registered Member of theBubbler.com - free.)

Please consider subscribing to topics in Fishing! FishOn! Wisconsin Fishing Forums as well.

[AlumniClub]

You’re looking, of course, for lakes with great fishing action. This isn’t one of them. The water quality in Bass is so poor that the lake winterkills almost every year. There are probably still a few Largemouth Bass and panfish in the lake, but who knows? The last management activity in this lightly stained water was in 1985, and, unless water quality improves, it isn’t likely there’ll be much activity in the foreseeable future. There’s a decent access with limited parking on the lake’s southwest corner.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

These two northern Marinette County lakes are impoundments of the Menominee River. Together, they comprise less than 400 acres of lightly stained water, along with identical – and pretty decent – fisheries. In Big Quinnesec, Muskellunge sit atop the food chain. Russ Heizer, DNR fisheries biologist in Peshtigo, says there aren’t many of them. And they aren’t particularly large, either, topping out at perhaps 40 inches. But, make no mistake, if you tie into one of these fish you’ll know you’ve been in a fight. There’s nothing that battles like a Muskie. In this 127-acre reservoir, you’ll also find a naturally reproducing Walleye population whose numbers are kept low by Muskie predation. And then, there are some “snake” Northern Pike, some decent Smallies, and some pretty fair Perch. The shallow bays are good places to hunt for Muskies early; later, you’ll want to cast your bucktails along the deeper weedlines. Areas around the mid-lake humps offer action, as do the islands and bars in the south end. Fish many of the same areas for Walleyes, of course, and don’t ignore the channels in the old river bed. There’s good winter action on “Big Quinney” for goggle eyes and Perch. For some reason, says Heizer, the larger Walleyes seem to wait till the lake has a roof on it before they bite consistently. There are, meanwhile, no Sturgeon in Sturgeon Falls Flowage, says Heizer. The lake was named for the river, not the fish species. The lack of Sturgeon, however, doesn’t mean there isn’t a decent fishery. In fact, in the case of Muskies, at least, it’s probably a bit better than that of Quinney. That, says Heizer, is because the Michigan DNR stocks Muskies in this body of water, and you’ll find some topping 40 inches. True: there aren’t too many of them, but there are some decent ones; every year, someone gets a 40-plus-incher. In addition to the Esox, some nice Walleyes, decent Smallies, and Northerns, and nice panfish are to be had here. Fish the stump fields and bays for the Muskies and Northerns. And the channel edges will do nicely for the Walleyes and Smallies.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

Unlike some of the other big flowages in this area, Caldron Falls is “more of a fishing lake” than a recreation center, says Pete Kuchenberg, owner, Pete’s Sport Shop, 330 Oconto Ave., Peshtigo (715) 582-3681. Caldron, he says, “gets hit fairly heavy,” and that’s with good reason, for it’s “probably the best Muskie waters in Marinette County.” True: Caldron’s Muskie population doesn’t compare with those in some of the state’s really famous Esox waters like Vilas County’s Lac Vieux Desert or Big Arbor Vitae. But make no mistake: there’s good Muskie fishing here, good enough to keep most Esox anglers happy as clams. In addition, the lake sports a reasonable Walleye population, plus good numbers of nice-size Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Smallies. And there are some nice panskis to be had. Kuchenberg recommends fishing the Muskies in the back bays in spring with bucktails or larger Mepps. As the water warms, switch to the points which project out into deep water. Work the weed edges there with stickbaits or throw topwater gear at night. Then, too, projecting out from the lake’s north shore, south of North Bay, you’ll find a small island, rocks and a midlake hump. This area contains good weedbeds which hold Muskies during the summer. And, of course, you’ll find good Esox action off some of the other midlake humps, particularly those north of the dam and off the south shore, opposite the North Bay mouth. For Northerns, try the stumps and weedbeds of South Bay. Large minnows or crankbaits will work well here early, and you can throw topwater gear later in the season, both for Northerns and Largemouth. Try the deeper water in the same area later during the summer for panskis, and take Walleyes in the channels on crankbaits. Largemouth, Walleyes and Northerns are under a mercury advisory in Caldron Falls. You’ll want to consult the DNR’s Health Information booklet before eating any fish from these waters.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

These two offer fair-size water and contain fairly good fisheries. Both are impoundments of the Menominee River. Chalk Hill Flowage has been stocked with Muskellunge by both the Wisconsin and Michigan DNR and contains a low-density population of this species. Russ Heizer, Wisconsin DNR fisheries biologist in Peshtigo, says the Muskies grow quickly in this lightly stained water, and top out well over 40 inches. They’ll offer a thrill for both the beginner and the experienced angler. Fish them in the abundant weed growth and stump fields you’ll find on the Wisconsin shore, or try the back bays in Michigan. Since this is boundary water, you’ll not need a Michigan license; your Wisconsin one will do. In addition to the Esox, you’ll find good numbers of nice-size Walleyes and a nice population of quite decent Smallies, Heizer says. Try the channel cuts for them throughout the flowage and don’t neglect the downstream sides of the islands. In White Rapids Flowage, the fishery is similar, except Muskellunge are rare. Walleyes and Northerns are the dominant species in this reservoir, and they grow to decent sizes. Try for the Walleyes in the main – or western – channel. The secondary eastern channel, especially behind the big island, is Northern Pike and Largemouth Bass country, but it can be hard to get a boat through the weeds in the summer. Meanwhile, one should not neglect the panfish population in White Rapids. Perch are abundant and range to nearly 12 inches, while the Crappies, though less numerous, also top out around a foot in length. Smaller are the ‘gills, which run to about 8 inches; their numbers are fair.

GB2

[AlumniClub]

Special thanks to Russ Heizer, DNR fisheries biologist in Peshtigo,Pete Kuchenberg, owner, Pete’s Sport Shop, 330 Oconto Ave., Peshtigo (715) 582-3681 for the info provided. Information was provided from Sportsman Connection Map Guide Book


GB2

[AlumniClub]

Menominee River report: The docks are not in but plenty of people fishing. Everyone had there limit of 1 fish a person.

[ChiefGruman920]

Trout are running wild in the Thunder with just worms or rooster tail mepps