Lake DuBay, Wisconsin, Marathon County, Fishing Reports and Conditions

FISHING REPORTS: (for even more information, check out the FORUM page)

Opening weekend of fishing season here in Wisconsin found some lakes still locked with ice or with winter-like water temperatures – that was not the case in the greater Wausau area where the ice has been gone now for weeks, and water temperatures are ranging in the mid to upper forty degree range or warmer. After yet another successful walleye spawning season, the marble-eyes of the Wisconsin River and surrounding have begun to depart from their spawning grounds; look for the fish to be more scattered than in weeks past, but certainly catchable. An excellent approach during this transition is to actively search a variety of depths and areas looking for action – “running and gunning”. Once you have located walleyes, fish the surrounding area thoroughly as there will often be numbers of fish working through a spot. Crankbaits or jig and twister tail combinations make for good search lures and have been producing fish for the past few weeks, some of them quite sizeable. One of the many advantages to fishing in the Wausau area is the option of trolling on the Wisconsin River and its flowages – an excellent tactic to use when attempting to locate numbers of walleyes. Many a post-spawn walleye have succumb to trolling presentations in the past week. The Wausau area produces walleyes over 10 pounds each season! A truly under-rated smallmouth bass fishery awaits anglers looking to tie into one of these bronze-backed feisty fighters. Smallmouth bass in Wisconsin typically begin spawning when water temperatures reach 62-64 degrees, although some fish will spawn in cooler water. The smallies have already begun to move from their wintering locations towards spawning grounds, ideally those areas containing a gravel or rock bottom. Locate these areas and being by fishing the deeper water surrounding them during the coolest portions of the day utilizing jig and twister tails, 3” tubes, and suspending style crankbaits. As the water warms, look for fish to begin sliding shallower; terrific presentations for these shallower fish include lipless crankbaits, in-line spinners, and even large fathead minnows suspended below a float. Boasting numbers and trophy-quality fish, the Wisconsin River system is a “must-fish” for anglers looking to capitalize on an exciting angling opportunity for smallmouth bass. Another exciting option for anglers looking to put a bend in their rod right now are northern pike. The Wisconsin River systems as well as the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir are some of the best options for catching a true trophy pike of 40” or more thanks in part to genetics, forage base, and regulations. Some of the largest fish in the systems are currently frequenting the back bays, sloughs, and inlets in the area. Larger suspending-style crankbaits as well as swimbaits and jig-and-creature combinations are scoring daily on these toothy predators. An excellent option to utilize once fish-holding areas have been located is the presentation of jumbo golden shiners or large sucker minnows beneath floats. Not only is this effective during cooler periods of water, but also in higher fishing pressure situations. As with any of the many, many, trophy gamefish in the greater Wausau area, please practice CPR – catch, photo, and release. The early season ice-out found in the Wausau area allows anglers the opportunity at a variety of top-notch fishing experiences this time of year, from crappie to walleye, northern pike to smallmouth bass. Outdoorsmen looking to get into more than just angling action may capitalize on some fantastic bow fishing opportunities as well. Numbers of large carp are frequenting many of the sloughs, backwaters, and bays in the area making for some of the best shooting of the season. Within the past week and a half, there have been evenings where over 500 pounds of carp have been shot from a single boat! Along the lines of hunting, ample turkey hunting exists within Marathon County with an array of quality gobblers already harvested, and countless more available.
Jeff Bolander <jeff@upnorthpublishing.com>
- Monday, May 05, 2008 at 11:49:14 (CDT)

Yes, there’s plenty of ice on local lakes and reservoirs, and yes, it may be some time until winter finally releases its stranglehold on North-Central Wisconsin. That being said, late February finds me in the grip another stranglehold – cabin fever! Although the ailment is not limited to fishermen, anglers are arguably the most affected of all populations. There is but one cure – springtime; however, there are ways to help alleviate the symptoms of this notorious affliction, one of which is looking ahead to the endless possibilities that exist during the open water season. This week, that’s just what we’ll do… While there are many “perks” to living in our area, one that pushes to the forefront during the waning weeks of winter is old marble-eye itself, the walleye. Unlike most bodies of water in the state of Wisconsin, the Wisconsin River system season remains open for us to take advantage of some fantastic walleye fishing beginning with the late ice period and moving steadily through spring. While many anglers are still waiting the statewide opening weekend in May, scores of walleyes are being caught from local waters, often beginning as early as late February. Recent years have seen an increase in the average size of local walleyes, perhaps due in part to the slot limit enacted by the DNR a few years back. Yearly, we boat very good numbers of “slot” walleyes (walleyes 20”-28”), along with scores of “eaters” and the occasional giant as well. There are literally miles of river and reservoir in our region to explore in search of some fine spring walleye action. Beginning with the late-ice period, another toothy adversary offers some exciting action, northern pike. While often overlooked in our region for the often more glorified musky, walleye, and smallmouth bass, pike can provide some true heart-stopping moments. For a pike angler, our area offers a legitimate shot at a trophy “slimer”. Looking at last year’s records alone, we caught and released an amazing number of fish in the mid to upper thirty inch range, and even managed to break the “magic” forty inch barrier once as well. While many of these fish were “accidental”, caught while fishing for muskies or other species, it was not always the case. Perhaps one of the best times of the season to target these large aggressive pike is during the late-ice period and subsequent early open water period. Late ice pike often succumb to tip up presentations baited with large golden shiners or sucker minnows. Dead bait, such as smelt, also can be deadly when used properly on these late winter behemoths. As the ice melts, look to dark-bottomed back bays and inlet areas, be they rivers or creeks, to hold the largest pike. Live bait presentations work exceptionally well, as do suspending style crankbaits and jerkbaits. The quality of the northern pike fishery here in Marathon County will surprise you, and offer a nice reprieve from a bad case of cabin fever. The possibilities do not end with walleye and northern pike, but merely begin. A myriad of species and angling opportunities exist within the confines of our area – I encourage you to explore the possibilities. As for me, I’ll see you on the water… Tight lines, Joel DeBoer www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com
Joel DeBoer <joelthemuskyman@charter.net>
- Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 20:25:18 (CST)