8-23-2009
Day 134-231 to go
7:15 PM - 7:50 PM
Weather: NA
Water conditions: NA
Fish caught
1. Bluegill 7" 7:22 PM, Jig and crawler
2. Bluegill 7" 7:22 PM, Jig and crawler
3. Bluegill 7" 7:22 PM, Jig and crawler
Area fished
Lytles
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
None
Sunday, August 30, 2009
day 133 8-29-09 Sat
8-29-2009
Day 133-232 to go
6:05 AM - 6:35 AM
Weather: NA
Water conditions: NA
Fish caught
1. LMB 3 (4") Jig and crawler
2. Perch 10" Jig and crawler
3. Perch 8" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Lytles
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
None
Day 133-232 to go
6:05 AM - 6:35 AM
Weather: NA
Water conditions: NA
Fish caught
1. LMB 3 (4") Jig and crawler
2. Perch 10" Jig and crawler
3. Perch 8" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Lytles
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
None
day 132 8-28-09 fri
8-28-2009
Day 132-233 to go
7:00pm-8:00pm
Weather: NA
Water conditions: 69°
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 3 (6-8") Jig and crawler
2. Bass (2) 10&12" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I am really short on time, I am getting ready for bear baiting and hunting.
Day 132-233 to go
7:00pm-8:00pm
Weather: NA
Water conditions: 69°
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 3 (6-8") Jig and crawler
2. Bass (2) 10&12" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I am really short on time, I am getting ready for bear baiting and hunting.
day 131 8-27-09
8-27-2009
Day 131-234 to go
7:00pm-10:00pm
Weather: NA
Water conditions: 70°
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 3 (4-8") Jig and crawler
2. Perch 5" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I was flathead fishing and had a very hard time catching bait. I had four hits and misses all four!
Day 131-234 to go
7:00pm-10:00pm
Weather: NA
Water conditions: 70°
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 3 (4-8") Jig and crawler
2. Perch 5" Jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I was flathead fishing and had a very hard time catching bait. I had four hits and misses all four!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
8-26-2009
Day 130-235 to go
7:00pm-8:00pm
Weather: E7, Clear, 72°, 30.12 steady
Water conditions: 639.81’ steady, 20.4kfs, 69°, muddy
Fish caught
SMB 15”, 7:40PM, Chug Bug
LMB 10". 7:45PM, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
Cade
Comments
It was a brief fishing excursion with the neighbor Cade. After about forty-five minutes I thought we were going to be fishless. Then, I decided it was time to hit the old reliable fishing hole. I was pretty amazed at Cade. Even though we went quit some time with no action, he never complained or gave up.
But when I hooked into the first fish of the night, did he ever come to life! It was great to see him get so pumped up. After I hooked two fish and let him real them in he decided it was time to do it all for himself. So I gave him my pole and let him prove himself. It wasn't three casts later that he hooked and landed his own bass. I can see him becoming quit a fisherman.
Just a little observation: I believe the panfish are starting to come off the main channel areas and move into the backwater spots.
8-25-2009
Day 129-236 to go
6:30pm-10:30pm
Weather: calm, clear, 71°, 30.02 rising
Water conditions: 639.79’ steady, 19.1kcfs, 72°, clear
Fish caught
Bluegills 5-7” (approx 12) Jig and crawler
Flat head 37lb, 8:45pm, bluegill
Flat head 21lb, 8:55pm, bluegill
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
Adam W.
Comments
I teamed up with Adam this evening for an evening of flat head fishing. Bait catching tonight was effortless and went quit quickly.
The first spot we tried was a main channel wing dam, and it proved void of any active fish. I did notice that the flow on the river has increased significantly over the past couple of weeks. The next spot was a side channel with good water flow. This spot ended up being the success of the night. We both boated two fish, but Adam’s fish were under the ten pound class. We did try two other exploratory spots that proved fruitless.
day 128 8-24-09 mon
8-24-2009
Day 128-237 to go
7:15pm-8:15pm
Weather: S8 G16, Clear, 74°, 29.97 rising
Water conditions: 639.89’ falling, 22.1kcfs, 72°, clear
Fish caught
LMB 13”, 7:58PM, Buzz Frog
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
The evening was very windy and the action almost non-existent. I did miss one rather large fish that I believe was a northern. I also did find a fabulous area where many doves were using as a roosting area, unfortunately it is in the closed area of the refuge.
Day 128-237 to go
7:15pm-8:15pm
Weather: S8 G16, Clear, 74°, 29.97 rising
Water conditions: 639.89’ falling, 22.1kcfs, 72°, clear
Fish caught
LMB 13”, 7:58PM, Buzz Frog
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
The evening was very windy and the action almost non-existent. I did miss one rather large fish that I believe was a northern. I also did find a fabulous area where many doves were using as a roosting area, unfortunately it is in the closed area of the refuge.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
8-23-2009
Day 127-238 to go
5:30pm-10:00pm
Weather: SE5, clear, 67°, 30.04 rising
Water conditions: 639.9 falling, 22.1kcfs, 72° clear
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 6-7” (5) jig and crawler
2. LMB 10", Senko
3. LMB 14", Senko
4. Flat head approx 7 lb, bluegill
5. Flat head approx 10 lb, bluegill
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
Troy
Comments
Troy and I decided to go flathead fishing tonight. It had been some time since either of us had gone, so we were out testing the waters. We started the night with the chore of bait catching, and that went relatively easy. The next part of the night was bass fishing. We each caught a couple, but it was not fantastic.
The final part of the night was the flat head fishing, and this was the good portion. We combined for seven flat heads, with the largest one weighing in at twenty-six pounds. I just may have to get out again before the fall season gets here.
day 126 8-22-09 Sat
8-22-2009
Day 126-239 to go
2:30 pm- 5:00 pm
Weather: NW9, Sunny, 73°, 30.07 falling
Water conditions: 639.98 falling, 24kcfs, 70° clear
Fish caught
1. Bluegills 6-7.5” (6) jig and crawler
2. Sauger 9” jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7 man made island area
Fishing Partners
Cade
Comments
I partnered with the neighbor boy this afternoon. The plan was to soak some crawlers and pick up a few bluegills. That plan did not go real well, but that is fishing. I do think Cade enjoyed himself, so that made the day.
Cade seemed to have the most fun pulling in the sea anchor while pretending it was a shark. It’s nice to see a young guy enjoy himself on the water whether the fish are biting or n
day 125 8-21-09 FRI
8-21-2009
Day 125-240 to go
6:10am – 7:00am
Weather: WNW10, Cloudy, 61°, 29.62 rising
Water conditions: 639.8 rising, 20.2kcfs, 70° Muddy
Fish caught
1. Small mouth bass 19”, 6:20am Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I hit the water early this morning before work, and it only paid off with one small mouth bass. Fortunately it was a nice one!
DAY 124 8-20-09 Thursday
8-20-2009
Day 124-241 to go
6:50pm – 8:00pm
Weather: W8,Overcast, 65°, 29.58 falling
Water conditions: 639.72 falling, 18.4kcfs, 69° Muddy
Fish caught
1. Northern 14”, 7:25 pm Swim Jig
Area fished
Pool 7 Back Sloughs
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Tonight was another dreary night of fishing. Activity was better than last night though. I should have had more to show for my efforts, but I did not do a good job on the hook-ups. The highlight of the night was watching a wake zoom in on my topwater frog. The fish followed the frog to the boat, at which time I could see it was a pretty good size dog fish. It sucked the bait in and just as quickly it spit it back out. It happened so quickly I did not have time to set the hook. I guess for being one of the oldest fish species they are not so dumb!
Day 124-241 to go
6:50pm – 8:00pm
Weather: W8,Overcast, 65°, 29.58 falling
Water conditions: 639.72 falling, 18.4kcfs, 69° Muddy
Fish caught
1. Northern 14”, 7:25 pm Swim Jig
Area fished
Pool 7 Back Sloughs
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Tonight was another dreary night of fishing. Activity was better than last night though. I should have had more to show for my efforts, but I did not do a good job on the hook-ups. The highlight of the night was watching a wake zoom in on my topwater frog. The fish followed the frog to the boat, at which time I could see it was a pretty good size dog fish. It sucked the bait in and just as quickly it spit it back out. It happened so quickly I did not have time to set the hook. I guess for being one of the oldest fish species they are not so dumb!
day 123 8-19-09 Wednesday
8-19-2009
Day 123-242 to go
5:30pm – 7:00pm
Weather: S15, rain, 68°, 29.62 falling
Water conditions: 639.86 falling, 21.4kcfs, 72° Muddy
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass, 18”, 6:15 pm Buzz bait
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I ventured out in the rain after work tonight. I wanted to try some main lake areas in the eastern part of Lake Onalaska. I did not get much to show for my efforts. The airport bay was green as pea soup. I do not think that area will be good until the water cools and all the plankton dies off.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
day 122 8-18-09
8-18-2009
Day 122-243 to go
6:25am – 7:25am
Weather: W10, clear, 61°, 30.01 rising
Water conditions: 5.22 falling, 32.5kcfs, ? ° Clear
Fish caught
1. Small mouth bass, 10”, 7:12am, Senko
2. Small mouth bass, 12”, 7:18am, Senko
Area fished
Dresbach Dam from shore
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Fishing was really slow and I felt fortunate to have caught just two fish. One point of interest this morning was a very large and old cottonwood tree growing along the bank of the river. This tree was massive! Its’ trunk was probably ten feet across and its height would easily surpass the height of a small town church steeple. But the most amazing aspect of this tree was its roots. They looked like giant squid arms intertwined in and amongst the rocks. These roots have slowly become exposed over the years as the soil and rocks have eroded away. But this tree has stood its ground to Mother Nature and does not appear ready to succumb to the forces of wind and water anytime soon.
Day 122-243 to go
6:25am – 7:25am
Weather: W10, clear, 61°, 30.01 rising
Water conditions: 5.22 falling, 32.5kcfs, ? ° Clear
Fish caught
1. Small mouth bass, 10”, 7:12am, Senko
2. Small mouth bass, 12”, 7:18am, Senko
Area fished
Dresbach Dam from shore
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Fishing was really slow and I felt fortunate to have caught just two fish. One point of interest this morning was a very large and old cottonwood tree growing along the bank of the river. This tree was massive! Its’ trunk was probably ten feet across and its height would easily surpass the height of a small town church steeple. But the most amazing aspect of this tree was its roots. They looked like giant squid arms intertwined in and amongst the rocks. These roots have slowly become exposed over the years as the soil and rocks have eroded away. But this tree has stood its ground to Mother Nature and does not appear ready to succumb to the forces of wind and water anytime soon.
Monday, August 17, 2009
day 121 8-17-09
8-17-2009
Day 121-244 to go
6:05am – 7:00am
Weather: SE3, Fog, 65°, 30.02 steady
Water conditions: 639.96 rising, 24.5kcfs, 74° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass, Berkley power worm
Area fished
Pool 7 back sloughs
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
It was a short early morning adventure on the river today. I tried the back sloughs close to home, and they produced very little in fish.
I did happen upon a doe and her fawn. Both were partly obscured by the morning fog. I think this gave them a false sense of security, since they hardly gave me a second look. On the ride back to the landing just outside the mouth of the channel there were several hundred gulls and a handful of pelicans. I think they are feeding on an abundant supply of baitfish.
Day 121-244 to go
6:05am – 7:00am
Weather: SE3, Fog, 65°, 30.02 steady
Water conditions: 639.96 rising, 24.5kcfs, 74° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass, Berkley power worm
Area fished
Pool 7 back sloughs
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
It was a short early morning adventure on the river today. I tried the back sloughs close to home, and they produced very little in fish.
I did happen upon a doe and her fawn. Both were partly obscured by the morning fog. I think this gave them a false sense of security, since they hardly gave me a second look. On the ride back to the landing just outside the mouth of the channel there were several hundred gulls and a handful of pelicans. I think they are feeding on an abundant supply of baitfish.
day 120 8-16-09
8-16-2009
Day 120-245 to go
7:15pm – 8:15pm
Weather: SW5, sunny, 75°, 29.90 rising
Water conditions: 639.84 steady, 21kcfs, 77° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass 15” 7:37pm, Chug Bug
2. Small mouth bass 18.0", 7:41pm, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska, Northern Minnesota-bear baiting
Fishing Partners
None, Tom Weber
Comments
The quarry tonight was northerns'. As you can see by the caught list, they were never found! I did see quite a raft of gulls out in the center of the lake. This has me thinking they are after bait fish, which should mean game fish are close by. On the bear baiting side; one of the four bait sets was hit, and we did not get lost just drenched.
Day 120-245 to go
7:15pm – 8:15pm
Weather: SW5, sunny, 75°, 29.90 rising
Water conditions: 639.84 steady, 21kcfs, 77° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass 15” 7:37pm, Chug Bug
2. Small mouth bass 18.0", 7:41pm, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska, Northern Minnesota-bear baiting
Fishing Partners
None, Tom Weber
Comments
The quarry tonight was northerns'. As you can see by the caught list, they were never found! I did see quite a raft of gulls out in the center of the lake. This has me thinking they are after bait fish, which should mean game fish are close by. On the bear baiting side; one of the four bait sets was hit, and we did not get lost just drenched.
day 119 8-15-09
8-15-2009
Day 119-246 to go
6:00 am – 9:00am
Weather: SE6, sunny, 69°, 29.99 rising
Water conditions: 639.62 rising, 16.1kcfs, 78° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass 12” 6:19 am, Swim jig
2. Large mouth bass 10” 6:30 am, Swim jig
3. Small mouth bass 15.0", 6:45am, Senko
4. Large mouth bass 12” 6:50 am, Senko
5. Large mouth bass 10” 6:52 am, Senko
6. Large mouth bass 11” 7:30 am, Senko
7. Large mouth bass 13” 8:04am, Power Worm
8. Large mouth bass 11” 8:05am, Power Worm
9. Large mouth bass 14.5” 8:10am, Power Worm
10. Large mouth bass 10” 8:20am, Power Worm
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska, Norhtern Minnesota-bear baiting
Fishing Partners
Kyle Schauf (www.kyleschauf.com) , Tom Weber
Comments
This morning I headed out early with Kyle to do a little bass fishing. We did quite a lot of running and gunning and ended up with very little to show for it. The highlight of the morning was a plastic frog whistling by my head. This was on account of a missed hook-set by Kyle. It brought back flashbacks of basic training and the overhead fire course. I always felt nervous about that course and I still feel nervous about a lure zooming by my head. I guess the army's attempt to desensitize me did not work.
In the afternoon I made a road trip up to northern Minnesota with Tom. Our mission was bear baiting. We managed to get four bait sites established, soaking wet and lost in a four hour period.
Day 119-246 to go
6:00 am – 9:00am
Weather: SE6, sunny, 69°, 29.99 rising
Water conditions: 639.62 rising, 16.1kcfs, 78° Clear
Fish caught
1. Large mouth bass 12” 6:19 am, Swim jig
2. Large mouth bass 10” 6:30 am, Swim jig
3. Small mouth bass 15.0", 6:45am, Senko
4. Large mouth bass 12” 6:50 am, Senko
5. Large mouth bass 10” 6:52 am, Senko
6. Large mouth bass 11” 7:30 am, Senko
7. Large mouth bass 13” 8:04am, Power Worm
8. Large mouth bass 11” 8:05am, Power Worm
9. Large mouth bass 14.5” 8:10am, Power Worm
10. Large mouth bass 10” 8:20am, Power Worm
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska, Norhtern Minnesota-bear baiting
Fishing Partners
Kyle Schauf (www.kyleschauf.com) , Tom Weber
Comments
This morning I headed out early with Kyle to do a little bass fishing. We did quite a lot of running and gunning and ended up with very little to show for it. The highlight of the morning was a plastic frog whistling by my head. This was on account of a missed hook-set by Kyle. It brought back flashbacks of basic training and the overhead fire course. I always felt nervous about that course and I still feel nervous about a lure zooming by my head. I guess the army's attempt to desensitize me did not work.
In the afternoon I made a road trip up to northern Minnesota with Tom. Our mission was bear baiting. We managed to get four bait sites established, soaking wet and lost in a four hour period.
day 118 8-14-09
8-14-2009
Day 118-247 to go
7:00 PM-8:20 PM
Weather: SSW 9, mostly cloudy, 90°, 29.99 rising
Water conditions: 639.5 rising, 13.6kcfs, 78° Clear
Fish caught
1. SMB 15.0", 8:00pm, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Main channel areas were tough tonight!
Day 118-247 to go
7:00 PM-8:20 PM
Weather: SSW 9, mostly cloudy, 90°, 29.99 rising
Water conditions: 639.5 rising, 13.6kcfs, 78° Clear
Fish caught
1. SMB 15.0", 8:00pm, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Main channel areas were tough tonight!
day 117 8-13-09
8-13-2009
Day 117-248 to go
7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Weather: SE6, cloudy, 78°, 30.00 steady
Water conditions: 639.52 falling, 13.8 kcfs, 76° clear
Fish caught
1. Bluegills (12) 6-8” jig and crawler
2. Perch 7” jig and crawler
3. Large mouth Bass 13” jig and crawler
4. Large mouth bass 18” Gander buzz frog
5. Drum 16” jig and crawler
6. Small mouth bass (2) 10” jig and crawler
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Since I have not been flat head fishing for several weeks, I dedcided it was once again time to try for MR. Big Whiskers. The bait catching went pretty well. I was still finding some bluegills relating to the rocks and current of the main channel areas. The flat head fishing was another matter. Typically this time of year I do not do well on these big fish, and tonight was no exception.
On the seasonal observation side I noticed several things tonight: The rice is in the pollination stage, the lotus plants are in full bloom, and the canadian geese are assembling in large flocks.
8-12-2009
Day 116-249 to go
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Weather: S10, partly cloudy, 83°, 30.04 falling
Water conditions: 639.58 steady, 15.2 kcfs, 79° clear
Fish caught
1. LMB 14", 6:40 pm, Chug Bug
2. SMB 16.5", 7:32 pm, Rebel Pop-R
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Tonight’s plan was to do a little bottom fishing with night crawlers. I was hoping to catch some sheep head to be used as bear bait.
On the way out to the main channel I had to try the spot that had been producing bass. However, the bass apparently had packed their tummies and left. So it was on to bottom fishing. Well I can easily summarize how it was: it sucked! I am not sure if the fish were inactive, or my choice of spots was bad. Either way I had absolutely no success.
Day 116-249 to go
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Weather: S10, partly cloudy, 83°, 30.04 falling
Water conditions: 639.58 steady, 15.2 kcfs, 79° clear
Fish caught
1. LMB 14", 6:40 pm, Chug Bug
2. SMB 16.5", 7:32 pm, Rebel Pop-R
Area fished
Pool 7
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Tonight’s plan was to do a little bottom fishing with night crawlers. I was hoping to catch some sheep head to be used as bear bait.
On the way out to the main channel I had to try the spot that had been producing bass. However, the bass apparently had packed their tummies and left. So it was on to bottom fishing. Well I can easily summarize how it was: it sucked! I am not sure if the fish were inactive, or my choice of spots was bad. Either way I had absolutely no success.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
day 115 8-11-09
8-11-2009
Day 115-250 to go
6:00am - 7:00am
Weather: N3, clear, 63°, 30.04 rising
Water conditions: 640.15 steady, 26.9kcfs, 73° cloudy
Fish caught
1. SMB 19", 6:05 am, Chug Bug
2. SMB 18.5", 6:12 am, Chug Bug
3. SMB 19.5", 6:14 am, Chug Bug
4. SMB 14", 6:18 am, Chug Bug
5. LMB 14", 6:34 am, Swim Jig
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I got my fishing fix this morning before work. Since I was limited on time, I went to the spot that had been producing the last couple of outings. The small mouths were still there and very active. The numbers were not great, but the size of the fish made up for it. Small mouths are amazing fighters. Their strength, stamina and leaping ability rock!
Day 115-250 to go
6:00am - 7:00am
Weather: N3, clear, 63°, 30.04 rising
Water conditions: 640.15 steady, 26.9kcfs, 73° cloudy
Fish caught
1. SMB 19", 6:05 am, Chug Bug
2. SMB 18.5", 6:12 am, Chug Bug
3. SMB 19.5", 6:14 am, Chug Bug
4. SMB 14", 6:18 am, Chug Bug
5. LMB 14", 6:34 am, Swim Jig
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
I got my fishing fix this morning before work. Since I was limited on time, I went to the spot that had been producing the last couple of outings. The small mouths were still there and very active. The numbers were not great, but the size of the fish made up for it. Small mouths are amazing fighters. Their strength, stamina and leaping ability rock!
Monday, August 10, 2009
8-10-2009
Day 114-251 to go
7:20 pm - 8:40 pm
Weather: NW 5, clear, 73°, 29.95 steady
Water conditions: 640.07 steady, 33.3kcfs, 77° clear
Fish caught
1. SMB 18", 7:46 pm, Chug Bug
2. LMB 17", 7:50 pm, Chug Bug
3. LMB 12.0", 7:56 pm, Chug Bug
4. SMB 20", 8:00 pm, Chug Bug
5. LMB 17.5", 8:04 pm, Chug Bug
6. LMB 16", 8:22 pm, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Tonight was not a flawless night. The first three fish I hooked into I lost, and they were quality fish. Then, the fourth fish straightened out my cheap snap and swan off with my bait. That fish must have jumped out of the water three times trying to shake my unattached bait. During each jump I could plainly hear the hooks and the rattles of the bait. That fish must have thought that was the toughest, spiniest minnow it had ever engulfed.
8-9-2009
Day 113-252 to go
5:15am-6:15am
Weather: E 6, mostly cloudy, 84°, 29.79 rising
Water conditions: 639.84 rising, 28.7kcfs, 78° clear
Fish caught
1. SMB 18.5", 5:55am, Chug Bug
2. LMB 13.5", 6:02am, Chug Bug
3. LMB 17.0", 6:05am, Chug Bug
4. SMB 19.5", 6:09am, Chug Bug
5. LMB 15.5", 6:12am, Chug Bug
6. LMB 16.5", 6:18am, Chug Bug
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Today I had lots going on and a very small window for fishing. I actually got on the water before sunrise, which has to be a first for me. It was great seeing and hearing the marsh come to life: the lone quack of the lost mallard, the obnoxiously raucous call of the sand hill cranes, and the unmistakable putrid dead fish smell of the pelicans all added to the moment.
Fishing was non-existent before daylight illuminated the calm dark surface of the water.
Then steadily and more frequently baitfish began their daily survival routine. These batfishes’ were breaking the waters surface in a desperate attempt to elude the jaws of their pursuers.
Fishing was good, very good. Oh what a way to start the day!
8-8-2009
Day 112-253 to go
7:15 PM-8:35 PM
Weather: E 6, mostly cloudy, 84°, 29.79 rising
Water conditions: 639.84 rising, 28.7kcfs, 78° Clear
Fish caught
1. LMB 13", 7:17pm, Swim Jig
2. Northern 22", 7:23 pm Swim Jig
3. LMB 16.5", 7:26pm, Swim Jig
4. LMB 13.0", 7:53pm Chug Bug
5. LMB 15.0", 7:54pm Chug Bug
6. SMB 19.0", 8:05pm, Chug Bug
7. LMB 16.5", 8:24pm, Spinner Bait
Area fished
Pool 7 Lake Onalaska
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Awesome, awesome, awesome, that is how I would describe the fishing on the Mississippi. After a week absence from the river I did not know what the fishing would be like. And, I was not disappointed with the bounty of the Mississippi. The fish were still relating to weed lines with some current, and they were very aggressive.
It was great to be back to what I missed: the smell of the river, the steady hum of the millions of emerging winged insects, and the occasional birds I could hear calling in the distance, and the fantastic fishing. Yes I was back where I belonged.
Friday, August 7, 2009
8-7-2009
Day 111-254 to go
8:00 AM-9:00 AM
Weather: SE 6, Clear, 60°, 30.07 falling
Water conditions: 72° Clear
Fish caught
1. None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Today is the last day of vacation at Treeland's Resort. I am now ready to go home and catch some fish. To say fishing has been tough is an understatement. Hopefully the weather and fishing will be better next year.
I did learn some lessons this year: musky fishing is tough, the Chip has tons of fishing pressure, and I need to fish both the East and west sides of the flowage. I was totally in awe on the boat trips back to the resort in the evenings at the amount of boats out fishing.
With all the navigation lights shinning on the water it looked like Christmas on the Chippewa in August.
Day 111-254 to go
8:00 AM-9:00 AM
Weather: SE 6, Clear, 60°, 30.07 falling
Water conditions: 72° Clear
Fish caught
1. None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Today is the last day of vacation at Treeland's Resort. I am now ready to go home and catch some fish. To say fishing has been tough is an understatement. Hopefully the weather and fishing will be better next year.
I did learn some lessons this year: musky fishing is tough, the Chip has tons of fishing pressure, and I need to fish both the East and west sides of the flowage. I was totally in awe on the boat trips back to the resort in the evenings at the amount of boats out fishing.
With all the navigation lights shinning on the water it looked like Christmas on the Chippewa in August.
8-6-2009
Day 110-255 to go
7:50 AM-10:00 AM
6:30 PM-8:45 PM
Weather: High 75°, Lo 43 Sunny
Water conditions: 71° Clear
Fish caught
1. Northern 22.0" 7:00PM Blue Fox Spinner
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Fishing is tough. The game fish are not biting, so I decided to concentrate on muskies. At least if I catch no fish I have an excuse!
I did have a rather large musky follow my bait all the way to the boat. I was really excited to see such a large fish looking over my offering. It was kinda erie, all the sudden this large fish showed up. I swear it was the size of a large baseball bat.
Day 110-255 to go
7:50 AM-10:00 AM
6:30 PM-8:45 PM
Weather: High 75°, Lo 43 Sunny
Water conditions: 71° Clear
Fish caught
1. Northern 22.0" 7:00PM Blue Fox Spinner
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
None
Comments
Fishing is tough. The game fish are not biting, so I decided to concentrate on muskies. At least if I catch no fish I have an excuse!
I did have a rather large musky follow my bait all the way to the boat. I was really excited to see such a large fish looking over my offering. It was kinda erie, all the sudden this large fish showed up. I swear it was the size of a large baseball bat.
8-5-2009
Day 109-256 to go
6:30 AM-8:40AM
6:30 PM-9:00PM
Weather: High 73°, Lo 40 Sunny
Water conditions: 70° Clear
Fish caught
1. Perch 10'', AM Shad Rap
2. Northern 17.0" AM Beetle Spin
3. SMB 12.0", AM Shad Rap
4. Perch 7.0", 6:55 PM Tube Jig
5. Perch 6.0", 6:56 PM Tube Jig
6. Walleye 12", 8:00 PM Shad Rap
7. Walleye 14", 8:44PM Shad Rap
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Charlie AM
Myself PM
Comments
I teamed up with a co-worker this morning. Charlie has a cabin on the flowage and is a regular visitor here. We did not catch much, but we did manage a little work discussion. Usually I do not like to talk shop, but sometimes I slip.
Tonight I caught a couple walleye's, but it was nothing consistent.
Day 109-256 to go
6:30 AM-8:40AM
6:30 PM-9:00PM
Weather: High 73°, Lo 40 Sunny
Water conditions: 70° Clear
Fish caught
1. Perch 10'', AM Shad Rap
2. Northern 17.0" AM Beetle Spin
3. SMB 12.0", AM Shad Rap
4. Perch 7.0", 6:55 PM Tube Jig
5. Perch 6.0", 6:56 PM Tube Jig
6. Walleye 12", 8:00 PM Shad Rap
7. Walleye 14", 8:44PM Shad Rap
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Charlie AM
Myself PM
Comments
I teamed up with a co-worker this morning. Charlie has a cabin on the flowage and is a regular visitor here. We did not catch much, but we did manage a little work discussion. Usually I do not like to talk shop, but sometimes I slip.
Tonight I caught a couple walleye's, but it was nothing consistent.
8-4-2009
Day 108-257 to go
7:40am-11:30am
8:00pm-9:00pm
Weather: High 72°, Lo 50 Partly Cloudy
Water conditions: 68° Clear
Fish caught
1. LMB 13', 7:43 AM Swim Jig
2. LMB 12.5" 8:01 AM Swim Jig
3. LMB 12.0", 8:05 AM Swim JIg
4. Northern 19.0", 8:55 AM Swim Jig
5. LMB 9.0", 9:56 AM Senko
6. Bluegill 7.5", PM Jig and Crawler
7. Bluegill 8.0", PM Jig and Crawler
8. Perch 7.0", PM Jig and Crawler
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Myself AM
Brandon PM
Comments
Today I was on a mission to catch bass and northerns. I did catch some of each, but it was not great. Brandon and myself went out this evening and caught a few panfish, but it was slow. I can only hope the fishing improves for the rest of the week.
Day 108-257 to go
7:40am-11:30am
8:00pm-9:00pm
Weather: High 72°, Lo 50 Partly Cloudy
Water conditions: 68° Clear
Fish caught
1. LMB 13', 7:43 AM Swim Jig
2. LMB 12.5" 8:01 AM Swim Jig
3. LMB 12.0", 8:05 AM Swim JIg
4. Northern 19.0", 8:55 AM Swim Jig
5. LMB 9.0", 9:56 AM Senko
6. Bluegill 7.5", PM Jig and Crawler
7. Bluegill 8.0", PM Jig and Crawler
8. Perch 7.0", PM Jig and Crawler
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Myself AM
Brandon PM
Comments
Today I was on a mission to catch bass and northerns. I did catch some of each, but it was not great. Brandon and myself went out this evening and caught a few panfish, but it was slow. I can only hope the fishing improves for the rest of the week.
8-3-2009
Day 107-258 to go
6:30am-9:30am
4:30pm-9:00pm
Weather: High 74°, Lo 55 Cloudy
Water conditions: 68 ° Clear
Fish caught
1. Perch 9", 7:00am Jig and leech
2. Northern 18", 7:05am Jig and leech
3. Perch 10", 7:22 am jig and leech
4. Northern 22", 5:30 pm Buck Tail
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Myself AM
Tanner Wildes PM
Comments
This AM I thought I would try fishing for perch. Charlie had told me they were biting on the weed edge, however that did not prove successful for me.
This evening I had a date with musky guide Tanner Wildes. I was very optimistic I would catch a toothy musky. After all, I was on the body of water that had given up the current world's record musky. Although it happened sixty years ago, this lake is still a very popular musky lake. Well Tanner and I both casted and casted without so much as a follow.
We did see a nice display from a group of loons at sunset. It somewhat reminded me of the child's game ring around the rosy. I believe it was some type of territorial or mating ritual. I had heard that sometimes birds will be fooled by the daylight length at the end of summer and think it is mating season.
Day 107-258 to go
6:30am-9:30am
4:30pm-9:00pm
Weather: High 74°, Lo 55 Cloudy
Water conditions: 68 ° Clear
Fish caught
1. Perch 9", 7:00am Jig and leech
2. Northern 18", 7:05am Jig and leech
3. Perch 10", 7:22 am jig and leech
4. Northern 22", 5:30 pm Buck Tail
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Myself AM
Tanner Wildes PM
Comments
This AM I thought I would try fishing for perch. Charlie had told me they were biting on the weed edge, however that did not prove successful for me.
This evening I had a date with musky guide Tanner Wildes. I was very optimistic I would catch a toothy musky. After all, I was on the body of water that had given up the current world's record musky. Although it happened sixty years ago, this lake is still a very popular musky lake. Well Tanner and I both casted and casted without so much as a follow.
We did see a nice display from a group of loons at sunset. It somewhat reminded me of the child's game ring around the rosy. I believe it was some type of territorial or mating ritual. I had heard that sometimes birds will be fooled by the daylight length at the end of summer and think it is mating season.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
8-2-2009
Day 106-260 to go
6:45am-10:45am
Weather: Calm, Mostly Cloudy, 54°, 29.87 falling
Water conditions: 64 ° Clear
Fish caught
None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Duane and Brandon
Comments
Today was the first for me: musky fishing. We were semi-guided by a friend of Duanes: Bill Green. Bill is the owner of Dream Catcher Musky Lures and Toothy Critter musky rods. Bill went out of his way to give us an introductory lesson in musky fishing. He was also very generous with his time and equipment. A big thank you goes out to Bill.
We did not come away with any fish, but I did come away with basic knowledge of musky fishing. I also can give credit to musky fishing for a sore arm. Hopefully I will be able to add a musky to my catch list in the near future!
Day 106-260 to go
6:45am-10:45am
Weather: Calm, Mostly Cloudy, 54°, 29.87 falling
Water conditions: 64 ° Clear
Fish caught
None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Duane and Brandon
Comments
Today was the first for me: musky fishing. We were semi-guided by a friend of Duanes: Bill Green. Bill is the owner of Dream Catcher Musky Lures and Toothy Critter musky rods. Bill went out of his way to give us an introductory lesson in musky fishing. He was also very generous with his time and equipment. A big thank you goes out to Bill.
We did not come away with any fish, but I did come away with basic knowledge of musky fishing. I also can give credit to musky fishing for a sore arm. Hopefully I will be able to add a musky to my catch list in the near future!
3-1-2009
Day 105-260 to go
8:00p
Weather: Calm, Mostly Cloudy, 55°, 29.84 rising
Water conditions: 69 ° Clear
Fish caught
None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Duane and Brandon
Comments
Today was the first day of seven days of vacation in the Hayward area. We went out to get our feed wet on the Chippewa Flowage. The summer has been cool here this year, and the water temperature shows it. Weed growth is also not as far along this year for the stage of summer we are at.
As the caught category shows, the fishing is tuff. The water is extremely clear, I believe this is a result of the cool temperatures and therefore no algae bloom.
This lake is very beautiful: very little shoreline development and lots of loons.
Day 105-260 to go
8:00p
Weather: Calm, Mostly Cloudy, 55°, 29.84 rising
Water conditions: 69 ° Clear
Fish caught
None
Area fished
Chippewa Flowage
Fishing Partners
Duane and Brandon
Comments
Today was the first day of seven days of vacation in the Hayward area. We went out to get our feed wet on the Chippewa Flowage. The summer has been cool here this year, and the water temperature shows it. Weed growth is also not as far along this year for the stage of summer we are at.
As the caught category shows, the fishing is tuff. The water is extremely clear, I believe this is a result of the cool temperatures and therefore no algae bloom.
This lake is very beautiful: very little shoreline development and lots of loons.
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