Chippewa Flowage Fishing Reports

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Jonneygogo,

The fishing is ok right now. The ice is about 12-14" thick with the top 3" frozen snow. Wouldn't advise driving a truck, but ATV's and snowmobiles should be fine. Try the shallower areas for the Northerns. If you can find green weeds that would be a plus. The Crappies and Perch and Bluegills are in the deep wood. Keep moving untill you find sunken wood with active fish around it. My best bet has been small spoons with Waxxies. Have another rod rigged up with a jigging rap. It is great for calling them in and then seal the deal with the small spoon. Good luck fishing.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

When are you fellas expecting to be able to bring the boat out? Heading to a friends cabin in Hayward over 3/23-3/25 and curious if we could get on the water and chase some Walleyes. I guess a better but probably stupid question is can one fish Walleyes year round on the chip or any others, similar to a couple of our rivers in mn or is this only allowed on boundary waters (I.e. Sippi, croix) Thanks.

[Nick Kuhn]

You have to go nearly 100 miles south of Hayward to find a place with a year round season.

[Tom_Christianson]

Flag,

Nick is right . There is no year around walleye season anywhere in Northern WI. You have to fish rivers to the South. You won't fisd any open water by the 23rd either. I still plan on ice fishing then. Right now it is to hard to get on the lakes with all the snow we just got. I would suggest you leave your boat home for a while yet.

Also, the Chippewa Flowage walleyes are closed from Dec.1 to the first weekend in May.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

Thx guys, that's what I figured. Buddy's cabin is on grindstone and we typicallynfind our share of waldos there.. Think there will be relatively safe ice for walking at that time?

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Flag,

Should be ice yet by then. Woke up to 4 degrees this morning. Barring a tremendous warm spell we should have fishable ice thru March. But always check first. Good luck fishing.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

Okay fellas, we've decided to head to our friends cabin on grindstone for the weekend of the 22-25th, hoping for enough ice to walk on and chase some panfish. We've only fished Walleyes and , never pannies. Does grindstone have a decent perch or crappie bite? If no, where might you recommend we try? Thx!

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi flag

We are in a nice warmup but should still have fishable ice by the end of March. I don't know much about Grindstone, but I would suggest you try the Chippewa Flowage. It has a tremendous panfish fishery. Look for deep wood. You'll find everything there. Good luck fishing and be safe.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

thanks Tom, any pointers on our nearest access point from where we'll be coming from? pretty unfamiliar with this area. only been to and on grindstone..

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Flag,

From Grindstone travel down hywy "B" to "CC". Turn right and go to the "CC" north landing. The bay before the opening is pretty shallo9w but once you get past the opening and go a ways, it will drop off to 20-25 feet. Start drilling and fish your way around that area and you'll eventually find deep wood. Good luck and let me know how you do.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

Appreciate it Tom, definitely will come back with a full report (if we go). Mind if I bug you midweek for ice condition report next tues/weds? With the forecast in the 60s/70s, it's tough to imagine fishable ice!

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Flag,

Hard to believe this weather! 60's to 70's next 5 days with lows in the 40's to 50's. I.m planning to hit the Big Chip this weekend but really don't know what to expect. I know a guy who lives on the lake and will be calling him to find out about this weekend. I'll keep you posted.

Walleyemaxx

[FLAG!!]

no joke, my car read 82 today! cant imagine we'd have enouch ice to fish next week. did you get out?

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Flag,

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but ice fishing is done for this winter. I looked for a place to ice fish last weekend and didn't trust the ice anywhere. It's worse now. By the weekend you might be able to put the boat in and fish. Good luck .

Walleyemaxx

[snoozebutton]

Flag, bring your boat along. Lake Hayward is open and Windigo is almost there. Grindstone and LCO both have quite a bit of ice left but nothing I'd want to walk on.

[FLAG!!]

appreciate it guys,we decided to stay in the cities and fish pool two.

will reconnect before we fish eyes on grindstone this summer

until then, tight lines.

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi everyone,

Just recieved an email from the DNR. The bag limit for walleyes will be 3 for the Chippewa Flowage this year. This is good news. Now if the DNR can do something about a size limit. Good luck fishing everyone.

Walleyemaxx

[DanM]

I am hoping to be on the flowage on Sat. Anybody have suggestions for crappies and blue gills? While my expectations are low I am looking forward to being on the water.

I appreciate any suggestions/idea anyone cares to share.

DanM

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi everyone,

I attended the Sawyer county DNR Spring hearing last night. First thing the panel emphasized is that absolutely no rule changes were going to be made this year. Sad to see how the over paid stuffed shirts in Madison are ruining a public forum designed to allow the sportsman to help in the decision making. We were told over and over that these questions were just "generalizations" and they wanted to know how we "felt" about these questions. Get a "pulse" on how we "feel". Nothing was definite. How do you feel about this-yes or no. WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?

The most discussions came from managment zones for fishing, allowing continuos seasons instead of closing any season, and changing a boundry line on a dmu in Sawyer county. And oh yes, an old lady actually stood up and cried a river about shooting her sand hill cranes. She had actual tears running down her cheecks. Thought we were talking about doves again. But, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Surprisingly, not much discussion on the three trolling questions. Just a few comments. Statewide results of the voting- for whatever it was worth- will be released Wednesday. I'll post results of the most interesting ones then.

I had a chance to talk with the fisheries manager for Sawyer county and my big question was if we will have some kind of size limit for walleyes on the Chippewa Flowage. NO. It will be three years minimum before we can possibly see that happen. With the way the people in Madison have changed the rules process, it takes a minimum of three years to enact any kind of change. SAD SAD SAD. I'm an optimist, so I still hold out hope that the fishery manager will be able to use an emergency type of rule to put on a size limit for the walleyes. The good news from him was that last fall the DNR saw a marked increase in YOY walleyes in their shocking surveys. He also emphasized the importance of keeping LMBass for the table. With the walleyes on the ropes, it makes sense for people to keep LMBass for the table and release walleyes.

Even with the walleye population seemingly lower than past years, I still offer my "WALLEYE GUARANTEE". I have a system that has enabled me to catch walleyes even when most other people don't. "THE WALLEYEMAXX SYSTEM". I have 52 years on the Chippewa Flowage and have seen the populations of walleyes swing up and down many times. The walleyes will bounce back. They always do. Good luck fishing everyone.

Walleyemaxx

DanM.I haven't been fishing lately, but have heard the crappies are just starting to move shallow. If you don't find them there, fish the cribs or any deeper wood.

[RiverFish]

Hi everyone,

Surprisingly, not much discussion on the three trolling questions. Just a few comments. Statewide results of the voting- for whatever it was worth- will be released Wednesday. I'll post results of the most interesting ones then.

I had a chance to talk with the fisheries manager for Sawyer county and my big question was if we will have some kind of size limit for walleyes on the Chippewa Flowage. NO. It will be three years minimum before we can possibly see that happen. With the way the people in Madison have changed the rules process, it takes a minimum of three years to enact any kind of change. SAD SAD SAD. I'm an optimist, so I still hold out hope that the fishery manager will be able to use an emergency type of rule to put on a size limit for the walleyes.

Did you get a reason why it takes 3 years to make any regulation changes. That sounds crazy

I'm also surprised that there was not a lot of talk on the trolling issue. There is no reason why there should be no trolling areas, the WI DNR agrees.

Thanks Tom for the report.

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Riverfish,

You're right. It is crazy. They also said they cannot enact a rule change on a even numbered year just odd numbered years. I was waiting for the punch line. Evidently the change at Madison is impacting everything in WI.

The trolling issue is purely a political issue. There is no biology to prevent it. I currently live in Vilas county which is the only county in the state where there are no lakes open to trolling. I used to go to the hearings here and the last time I went and there was a trolling question on the ballot, the old guys were in line to rail against trolling. I swear some even cried that every musky would be caught and kept if we allowed trolling. Why the DNR listens to these people who do not have any proof of what they say, I don't know. All I can tell you is to repeat what I said earlier, it is purely a political issue. Good luck fishing

Walleyemaxx

[RiverFish]

From the WI DNR HSOforum:

Why is motor trolling not allowed on many Wisconsin waters?

First some history of motor trolling in Wisconsin. From 1923, no motor trolling was allowed on inland waters of the state. Five waters were opened for trolling in 1958. During the next few years a few other waters were opened. In 1964, all waters in seven northwestern counties as well as Racine County were opened. In 1970, many waters larger than 500 acres were added, except for muskellunge waters.

Motor trolling has been a matter of discussion in Wisconsin for many years. There are differences of opinion regarding the sporting aspects of this angling method and its effect upon fish populations. Many people believe trolling depletes fish populations. In some lakes, motor trolling has increased user conflicts because of the increased acreage used by trollers.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's (DNR) position is that as long as the daily bag and size limits are followed, the method of capture is irrelevant. We have evaluated muskellunge, northern pike, and walleye angling success for anglers casting or still-fishing versus anglers trolling. Based on available creel survey data, we have been unable to identify significant differences in angling success or harvest between the two techniques (i.e, casting versus trolling).

DNR has attempted to address the issue of trolling from a biological perspective. We have made several proposals over the years to allow trolling at public hearings held each year in every county of the state on the same night in April. Formal public input on fishing regulations is taken at these public hearings (i.e.,"town hall"" meetings). At these meetings a slight majority of anglers remain opposed to trolling.

DNR continues to evaluate trolling and educate anglers on the results of these trolling studies.

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi everyone,

I just saw the results of the Spring hearings held last Monday night. Just to highlight a few of the more interesting questions since nothing really meant anything anyway

1- In Sawyer county the people voted to allow the fish and game managers the flexability to change management zones when and where they thought neccesary. It was also carried statewide.

2.-In Sawyer county the people voted yes to allow the continous season on any species of fish if the biologists determined there was no reason to close any season. This does include walleyes and bass and muskies. It passed statewide too.

3.-Trolling. On the questions of using 3,2,or 1 line while trolling, all 3 failed in Sawyer county. They also failed statewide.

4.-The question to change the DMU in Sawyer county passed. Also statewide.

5.-The question to allow trolling while position fishing(such as trailing a sucker while casting for musky) passed big time. it also passed big time statewide.

6.-The question of a 25MPH limit on frozen lakes failed by a wide margin in Sawyer CO. It also failed big time statewide.

7.-In Sawyer Co. the vote to hunt Sandhill Cranes ----was a tie. I quess if you cry hard enough..... Statewide they voted overwhelmingly to blast "em"

8.-The question to allow motor trolling statewide passed in Sawyer CO and statewide. It is pretty much the same question that failed in the three questions of 1,2,or 3 lines.

9.-The question to eliminate the late opener for LM Bass in NW WI. and open the season the first weekend in May passed almost 5-1. In Sawyer CO. and statewide.

10.- The question to return the size linit of musky to 40" in Spider lake was passed by a wide margin in Sawyer Co. and statewide.

Of interest, 5 questions about trolling and 3 were no and 2 yes. The bottom line is that no rule changes can occur this year. All this was just a good excuse to gather and talk about hunting,fishing,trapping, and why we should blast Sandhill Cranes. Good luck fishing everyone.

Walleyemaxx

[Myrt]

Tom, are late July and August a decent time to try the Chip for muskies? I have never been there and would like to visit my brothers cabin and start to learn the Chip.

[Tom_Christianson]

Hi Myrt,

July and August are good months because both top water baits and buck tails will be good choices. The warmer water we will see at that time of year will increase the metabolism of the Muskies which should help make them more active.

For color choices, black is #1 color with green also a good color. At times the bright colors will do well, but make sure you have black and green baits.

At that time of year the weeds will be very pronounced so fishing the weed bars will be the #1 pattern. Wood and rock bars at times can be very good. If there are weeds with the wood and rock, the better.

Hope this helps. Good luck fishing.

Walleyemaxx