Wisconsin's Season Closes Soon!!!

[Driftless]

The season closes for 5 months soon.

You will be kicking yourself for not getting out NOW.

This is the alternative ..........................

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[ted4887]

Not going to lie.... I enjoy the other option just as much, if not more than what we have now. Bushwhacking is much, much easier in snow, than it is in grass as tall as me.

[Scudly]

Been trouting for 18 years and one thing I have learned is fishing January, February, and even most of March is a waste of time. Save your vacation time for spring after the big thaw. Typically I'll trout fish pre-season once or twice out of sheer boredom and those trips to me are not worth it.

Now is the time to fish. The heat and humidity is behind us. Dress warm if you fish early mornings like I do. Fish are putting their feed bag on preparing for winter and upcoming spawn of late October early November. Trout also now develop their most beautiful coloration. Brookies are bright red and browns get rusty dark chocolate colored.

Reminder no harvest last two weeks of September in MN however in WI you can harvest through 9/30.

[Further North]

Hmmm...I caught this one in this spring's early season...

[Scudly]

Nice one. I notice no snow on the ground. That is when I start fishing. Below 30 and snow on the ground my answer is generally "no thanks." What date did you catch, what were the conditions? Nice looking male.

[Further North]

I think it was the 2nd weekend of the WI early season. Air temps were mid 20s, and the only reason there's no snow on the ground you see is it was piled up so high on the banks that the only place I had to take a pic was on a little exposed gravel bar.

Here's what the rest of the stream looked like

This was my first year trying the early season and I really found it calming and relaxing - you won't find a quieter, more peaceful time on the water...and you're 10 times more likely to have it all to yourself.

[Crm7290]

When your only waders are 5mm you look forward to seeing snow out there....

[ted4887]

Been trouting for 18 years and one thing I have learned is fishing January, February, and even most of March is a waste of time.

Just curious, but what's your reasoning behind that?

I love going out, and not seeing a single sign of a humans, for the most part. Rarely, if ever, do you see bait containers, beer bottles, and other trash on the side of streams like you will during the regular season.

Having the stream to yourself can't be beat IMO. I'll take some frozen guides over battling jerk offs who like to jump right in front on you on a 10 mile stretch of stream any day.

Plus, most of my best days fish catching wise was this winter.

[Scudly]

Quote:

Just curious, but what's your reasoning behind that?

Quote:

Plus, most of my best days fish catching wise was this winter.

Limited success in January, February, and early March. Never worth the effort compared to April - September. I have found that small stuff is mainly what trout bite in the winter, thus you catch small trout. At least stream trout.

Plus where I fish April through September I never see another soul other than a friend I bring along or the landowner I might visit with on my way out.

[Slabasaurus]

This has been my first season fly fishing and trout fishing, and honestly you could probably call it a half season as i started in July.

The only location I have seen anyone else fishing was one of the fishery management areas up there (I've seen one other angler there), and this past weekend I talked to a gentleman who was leaving a stream as I was just gettin in. I am sure when i hit the superior tribs in the next few weeks I'll see a lot more people...

I plan on going back every weekend until the season closes, and will definitely be trying early season. While what gets me out is the trout, the scenery keeps me there, and on days where only a few if any trout are caught, makes it all worth while.

[ted4887]

While what gets me out is the trout, the scenery keeps me there, and on days where only a few if any trout are caught, makes it all worth while.

Perfectly said

[itchmesir]

Winter is my favorite time of the year to trout fish... i know that i can more than likely go to almost any winter reg stream and not see a soul.. or any sign of anyone being out... cold weather keeps them weekend warriors at home..

if there is one thing i've learned.. its that snowshoes are a must.. trudging through 2'+ snow sucks!

[macgruber]

to the non-early season business i say hogwash..... len doesn't like it because he'd have to put on something smaller than a size 6 bugger and get delicate......

some of the best fishing you'll find is early season-- u just have to be willing to nymph......

and i did say some of the best cuz yeah, now is by far the best (especially if you're throwing large streamers and raps and whatnot).....

[Driftless]

size 10 buggers..

size 6 hornbergs...

size 4 bunny leeches....down slow and deep.

Wintering holes can be a HOOT!

[OnAFly]

It would be nice if the season were open all year round, but only open for harvest at certain times. Fall fishing can be really fast elsewhere in the country. I'd love to get into it here too.

[itchmesir]

It would be nice if the season were open all year round, but only open for harvest at certain times. Fall fishing can be really fast elsewhere in the country. I'd love to get into it here too.

right.. they could at least make the "golf courses" aka TR and WW year round.. there's more than enough trout in those two streams/systems to really not impact much of anything

then again.. you could be like others and just not abide by the rules and fish whether the season is open or not

[OnAFly]

Is there a lot of out-of-season fishing down there?

There are parts of the WW that aren't so "golf course" like. They take a lot of walking, but they are there.

[itchmesir]

Is there a lot of out-of-season fishing down there?

There are parts of the WW that aren't so "golf course" like. They take a lot of walking, but they are there.

i've known of some.. but i couldn't tell you how bad it is.. i try not to tease myself and stay away from even looking at a stream during closed season

[Scudly]

Quote:

right.. they could at least make the "golf courses" aka TR and WW year round.. there's more than enough trout in those two streams/systems to really not impact much of anything

Unfortunate Trout Run would not be in the proposal. Only Whitewater, Carley, Beaver Creek, and Forestville proposed.

I checked earlier this season and now the proposal is up to the legislators so your guess as when it will be considered is as good as mine.

[ted4887]

I'm already counting down the days until that first good winter midge hatch.