Fishing Report April 13, 2017
Needless to say the warm spring weather is giving almost all of us anglers the itch to fish. The good news is the panfish bite is really starting to pick up all around the Madison area. Shallow bays are producing the most fish (Bluegills and Crappies), with some larger Crappies still being found on secondary deep weed edges. The most productive techniques have been small jigs (1/32oz) tipped with any multitude of offerings under a float. On days when the fish aren't super inclined to eat live bait has been the most productive (anything from spikes/waxies to crappie minnows), while small plastics have been crushing fish on sunny, warm days.
Catfish should be moving into shallow bays on Lake Mendota and Cherrokee Marsh shortly. Cut bait rigged on 3/0 circle hooks is money this time of year. Either Bluegill (caught on the same body of water it is being used for bait and counted towards the daily bag limit) or suckers cut into chunks are both good choices. The warmest water you can find will be key to locating the spawning cats.
The walleye run is wrapping up on the Wisconsin River with lots of fish moving back down river to feed. Trolling and casting crankbaits has been hot, with jigs and plastics also producing fish, especially on tough days.
