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St. Germain Area Fishing Specials & Packages

 

 

Hunting, fishing, trapping and other 2010-2011 license and harvest permits for fish and wildlife activities in Wisconsin went on sale March 10, 2010. Visit the DNR website for more information. Licenses and permits for 2009-2010 expired March 31, 2010.

2010 Wisconsin Fishing Season Dates

Recreational Safety Education Classes are now being offered by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check out the ATV, boating, hunting and snowmobile safety classes being offered in the area.

2009 Greater Wisconsin Muskie Tournament Highlights

Click here to review questions, new guidelines, and links about Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) Information.

Shortly after the ice melts on area lakes, fishermen head to St. Germain for panfishing. Crappies, bluegill and perch are all common in St. Germain’s lakes. In spring, look for shallow, warm water, particularly in protected bays, and fish with small jigs and baits. As spring moves on, catch & release bass fishing becomes popular. For the earliest bass action, target shallow, structure-rich lakes with stained waters and dark bottoms.

Summer is the quintessential Northwoods fishing seasons for many anglers. Panfishing gets increasingly better as the year progresses. Muskies become active shortly after their spawn in late spring. Early in the season, target areas just off prominent points and mid-lake humps adjacent to deeper water and fish smaller baits. As the summer progresses, increase the speed of your retrieves and the size of your baits.

St. Germain’s lakes are full of walleyes. Your chances of locating walleyes are greatly increased when you keep an eye on weather conditions, water temperatures and light conditions. Walleye tend to be shallower in low-light periods—such as sunrise, sunset and under cloudy skies—and move deeper during the day. Target mid-lake humps and deep weedlines.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass action is excellent on St. Germain’s lakes. Largemouth bass tend to hold tight to thick weed cover and structure for most of the summer and provide excellent action. Smallmouth are found deeper, generally around deep rocks and deep weedlines. Often when the walleye aren't cooperating, there’s great bass fishing to be had, so be prepared for both species and you'll improve your chances of getting into some great fishing action.

As the days grow shorter towards fall, many of St. Germain's fish species increase their feeding—which makes for great angling. Fall is the best time of year for catching behemoth trophy musky in St. Germain, with really tremendous-sized fish being caught right up until the lakes freeze over. Walleye action often increases as well, as does smallmouth fishing in the early part of fall.

For many fishermen, the real fishing starts when the lakes freeze over. St. Germain is a favorite destination for ice fishermen. Some of the best walleye and northern pike fishing can be had through the ice. The most popular technique for winter walleyes is jigging or using tip-ups with small to medium sized minnows. By far the most popular technique in St. Germain for winter pike is using a tip-up baited with large shiners or other live minnows. Crappies, bluegill and perch are also ice fishing favorites. If you're looking for a great ice fishing getaway, check out the St. Germain resorts that specially cater to ice fishermen, with shanties and amenities ready when you arrive.

 

St. Germain Fishing Report

Updated 07/20/2010

Mike McGrail and Paul Carey are recent graduates of

Brother Rice High School in Chicago. They're holding a bass.

 

 

Fishing has settled into a fairly common summer pattern. Warm sunny days means your best fishing (and most comfortable) is going to be during the morning and late afternoon into evening periods. Certainly some fish like bluegills, pike, and some bass will cooperate all day long but even they increase activity during those early and late periods.

Bass have been the most consistent gamefish. You'll find largemouth in weeds usually 3 to 6 feet deep. Lily pads will also hold fish. Surface baits, spinners, and soft plastics all seem to be easy targets. The smallies have gone a bit deeper as they usually do during this time. Look for them relating to rock bars and rocky shorelines. You'll probably want to start your search in about 10 feet of depth and progress down to 20 to target the bronzers.

Bluegills seem to be just about anywhere some days. Little guys showing up everywhere from the edges of docks to suspended in 30 feet plus. Crappies have been a bit elusive and are quite scattered. Look for perch in about 8 foot depths or better. All these panfish are taking a wide variety of livebait  choices. Cant’ go wrong with a small chunk of nightcrawler or a small to medium leech.

Walleye fishing has been fairly typical for summer. Evening bite seems to be a bit better than morning. Look for them on deep weed edges or related to rock structures. Leeches, or crawlers seem to be producing well and minnows are always an option.

Musky fishing has been quite good with many anglers seeing and catching nice fish. Some very big fish have been caught during the past couple weeks with a number of upper 40 inch to 50 inch fish caught including a giant 53" caught in our area recently. Bucktails and surface baits seem to be leading the lure list but just about anything has been producing if you're in the right place at the right time. In deep clear lakes (Trout, Twin, Plum, etc.) don't overlook fishing for suspended fish cruising main lake basins following schools of baitfish. Remember that muskies are pretty fragile fish and the warm water temps stress them harder than usual. If you intend to release that fish (and I hope you do). Keep the fish in the water as much as possible. Take a quick photo or two and get 'em back in the water as soon as possible. Have release tools handy and work quickly and efficiently to minimize harmful stress to the fish.

Looks like the current patterns should persist for the foreseeable future. Have fun out there and be safe.

Pete Stoltman

Last Cast Guide Service

715-542-4142

www.rfrgoutdoors.com
rfrgoutdoors2@gmail.com

Regular Fishin’ for Regular Guys Outdoors

 

Wisconsin Outdoor Report - Weekly report is updated every Thursday at noon.

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St. Germain Area Fishing Guides

Interesting Fishing Related Articles

DNR Discussion Forum

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Ask questions of local DNR Warden - Mike Sealander

Help control VHS in Wisconsin waters

The Department of Natural Resources has detected a virus affecting fish in the Lake Winnebago system called viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS for short.

The DNR reported that this virus is not harmful to humans and that it is completely safe to handle and eat fish caught in Wisconsin waters. It is important to note that VHS is a deadly virus to fish and spreads easily among a variety of fish populations. The DNR is actively responding to contain this threat and has issued the following recommendations that should be practiced on all Wisconsin waterways:

  • Put your catch on ice and do not move live fish and unused bait minnows away from the landing or shore.
  • Drain all water from bilges, bait buckets, live wells and other containers when leaving the landing or shore.
  • Use live minnows purchased only from registered bait dealers in Wisconsin or catch it yourself in the same water you fish.
  • Clean plants and debris from your boat before leaving the landing.

To learn more about VHS, visit the DNR VHS homepage at http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/fish/vhs/

Below are some PDF files & links pertaining to VHS:

Out-of-State Firewood Regulations