Chetek Chain-Prairie Lake Fishing Reports

[bassmann77]

We are headed up to the Chetek chain of lakes for a family reunion. was wondering what the conditions are for Pokegema Lake? One of my Aunt's has a jet boat and they were wondering about the weeds. Any information would be greatly appreciated. There will be a mixture of avid fisherman with a bunch of little kids.

[vman59]

did very well on Pokegama this afternoon. Very short window from 4:45 until dark.Never marked a fish from 3 until 445 the the flasher lit up and stayed that way until we left.Orange moon glow with white back and glitter was the hot ticket. Fish were everywhere from the bottom to 3ft off bottom.Fished in 11fow.Spring bobber was handy but not needed bite was good.

[vman59]

back again today between myself and 2 sons we managed 64 gills,perch and crappies. Was a fun day. Mobility is the key .

[vman59]

out again this morning on Pokegama. between the 3 of us managed 19, 19 & 20 Mostly gills with some perch and a couple crappies. More sorting today than yesterday afternoon but the keepers were very nice. White seemed to be the hot color both days with Chartreuse a close second. Fish were everywhere from the bottom to suspended 5ft off.

[snoozebutton]

Been out lately Vman? If you haven't heard from me in a while it's because my laptop's out of commission, don't have access to my regular email. It's been down since last Friday but I should have it up and running by the weekend.

[vman59]

not since my last post. Now I know why you didn't answer my email. LOL

[pcguide27]

Hey All

Heading to Chetek chain this week with the family. We have fished it before

and always had no problem catching lots of #'s, but crappies were always a little on the small side. Any reports on size structure for this year?

No specific spots needed, just wondering in general how this fishing has been.

Thanks in advance.

PC

[vman59]

from what I know they are small again this year nothing changes. Not to say there aren't a few nice ones roaming around. Gills seem to be bouncing back size wise.

[pcguide27]

Returned saturday from The Chetek Chain

You hit it on the head Vman- Crappies abundant but still short-- 7 1/2 to 9 inchers but eager biters. Fun for the kids.

Did manage a few decent gills between 8 and 8 1/2 each morning along with ocassional decent perch.

Mostly fished prairie lake along the floating bogs and some on pokegema in shallow flats ...5-8 feet, and deeper wood. Twisters, tubes, and Gulp under floats ... didnt really matter... lots of action.

Man the water is greener than ever

PC

[vman59]

fished the chain today and did very well on gills and crappies. now much with sorting either. Green/white tear drop with a waxie in 10 fow.

[vman59]

Fished Prairie today from 6:45am until 9:21am when I got my limit of fish. Today orange was the color of choice. Get AWAY from the crowds is my best advice. 10 fow most fish close to the bottom today as opposed to yesterday.

[vman59]

fished the Chetek Chain this afternoon and did very well on very nice size perch. Ended up with 30 perch and one gill between us. Color did not seem to matter.

[vman59]

Chetek Chain had been god for nice gills up until this last weather system rolled in. You have be mobile though seems you get them for about an hour hen they are gone just like that and you have to move. They are picky on the color as well. Stay away from the crowds or just on the outskirts of the crowds . It was funny Saturday a black jig with an orange dot or an glow orange with a white sparkle back were the hot items. But that changes day to day as most of you know. I have noticed though the closer to spring and ice out it gets the more they are after the darker colors.

[vman59]

The Chetek Chain is now ice free.

[vman59]

My sons have been doing real good on nice size gills on the chain. White jig with orange dot on it tipped with waxie.

[vman59]

went with my son this afternoon did very good on nice gills . White jig with pink dot. 18 fow.

[vman59]

Some nice gills are still hitting on the chain Pokegama and Prairie have been the best for us just have to be mobile and punch lots of hole till you find them. White jig with orange has been the hot bait for us.

Just remember when giving a post you don't have name exact spots but don't expect people to give you information and get mad when you make posts like "a Barron county lake" or its "hush hush"or criticize someone for giving a good report on a certain lake. These lakes belong to us all not just a chosen few.

[vman59]

Every day this week (after today) is “scheduled” for highs in the 60s. This shift brings the end of snowmobiling and cross-country skiing, but ice fishing continues. Angling success will improve as long as we have traversable ice meaning the ability to get out to – and back from – your favorite fishing spots. Use good sense – open water season is not far down the road and we would like you to be around to participate in it!

Please note: The 2011-12 hunting and fishing licenses expire March 31. New licenses are now available and valid April 1 through March 31, 2013. Purchase licenses at authorized license agents, DNR service centers, online, or by calling 1-877-945-4236. Please note, too, that game fish season (i.e., walleye, northern, etc.) closed March 4, more than one week ago. A few people apparently remain unaware, with reports some anglers – until informed of the closed season – intended to target walleye this past weekend.

“Travel on the lakes is limited by deep snow with slush or standing water under it, and as of this past weekend, many lakes are impassible by motorized vehicle. Ice travel is inconsistent so use caution, and while it can be difficult, foot travel is the only option. “Longer, warmer, days will melt the snow and help fishing activity. Conditions can change in a matter of a few days, so keep an eye on your favorite lake. This is a good time to start thinking about and preparing for open water fishing season. Most fish are suspending somewhere up off the bottom, so use your flasher and scan the entire water column. Depths will vary from lake to lake. He says bluegills and crappies are mostly in deep water and advises using electronics to check if fish are suspending or tight to bottom. Downsize tackle for more action – use four-pound line for crappies and two-pound or lighter for bluegills. At Anglers All on Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, Carolyn says bay ice is good (as of the weekend) and anglers are getting out as far as Bodin’s. Those fishing the channel are still picking up a variety of fish, including perch, sturgeon, salmon, and brown trout. There are reports of hot walleye action at Second Landing. “The deep snow really cut down on access to lakes,” says DNR fisheries biologist Skip Sommerfeldt, “and the 4-5 inches of slush that formed under the snow made foot travel very difficult. Recent warm temperatures are knocking down the snow level and once the weight of the snow is gone, the ice should “pop up” and drain the water back down the holes. This will improve lake access and pick up the panfish action.”

FISHING REPORT Crappie: We are on the cusp of some of the best crappie action of the season, but it could be very short-lived with the warming temperatures. Crappies are still in deep water, though you might them at any depth in the water column, from just off the bottom to just below the ice. This makes flashers/locators almost mandatory. Go light with both tackle and bait, and tip-downs work great for panfish. The top baits are crappie minnows and plastics on jigs or plain hooks, but waxies and Gulp! baits can also be effective on given days.

Bluegill: Bluegill fishing is fair to good near weeds and in deeper water. Downsize equipment and small baits to increase your success, and once again – use your flashers to search the entire water column. Use jigs or plain hooks with waxies, spikes, plastics, and even small minnows for larger bluegills in deeper water.

Perch: Perch action is good on the mud flats of deep lakes, but the fish are starting their move to shallower water spawning areas. As with the other panfish, be prepared to stay on the move, drill plenty of holes, and use your flashers to find fish. Once you do, fathead and plastics will do the trick, as will small minnows and spoons.

[vman59]

Got a call yesterday that they are getting nice gills on the north end of Prairie and on Pokegama. The boat season has begun! Good Luck to everyone.