Wisconsin early trout season

[Quickstrike]

I was wondering if anyone on here was planning to fish the early trout season this year. The season opens the first saturday in march and runs until the sunday one week before the regular season opens. If you love trout fishing and have never tried this season before, you should give it a try. It is one of the only times of year you can get on your favorite stream and fish all day without running into another angler while casting at unspooked fish. The season is catch and release only and only barbless artificials may be used. I plan on making a trip down to the Rush River around the middle of march, maybe i'll see some of you down there.

Be sure to check your local regs before going out as this rule does not apply to every WI stream.

[Cooter]

Not sure, I fished the early season last year on the Buffalo R. and did well(for me anyway ). Not much pressure there, but a river like the Rush would be ideal for escaping the normal crowds.

Might try Lowes Creek here in town this year. Let us know how the Rush treats you. What section are you planning on fishing - or is it top secret?

[Quickstrike]

I usually fish anywhere from el paso down to ellsworth depending on water conditions. The first couple days last year the water was low and clear, and we had the most luck fishing big deep holes and runs. The last two days of the trip the we had some rain and snow run off and we had better luck fishing pocket water and shallow tail-outs. We also fished the upper kinni, but didn't do as well as we did on the Rush. I really wish we had some streams open to the early season up here in northern WI.

[kjgmh]

I will be hitting the Brill on a couple of warm afternoons in March. Had marginal luck last year, but was mainly scouting and only fishing a little.

[Cooter]

Hey QS, do know where the HawgTrough is? Its El Paso area, but I've heard its hard to fish from shore.

I'd have to check a map, but I'm quite sure I fish north of El Paso, near Martell.

[Quickstrike]

I am not sure where the Hog Trough is. I really like the water near martell, but it seems that area just gets pounded by other fishermen.

[prophet]

i usually fish amery area to webster western wisc,i have never trout fished previously,is there any trout in the area that i could try?? i have western wisc lake map book

but was looking for rivers\streams etc to give it a try

not looking for honey holes but at least a starting point,thanks

[Quickstrike]

A good starting point is the trout regs booklet that bait shops give out in WI, it lists all trout streams and has a map that shows you exactly where they are along with what category they fall into. I don't trout fish much from webster to amery but I have done a little bit and I know there are trout to be found (I just haven't found them yet ) Anyways, some streams to check out would be trade river, clam river, mckenzie creek, parts of the apple river, and parts of the straight river. There are many more but most of them are kept behind a tight lip or are hard to get to. If you want a couple lakes to fish try cressent or clarey.

[Browning83]

Got a couple questions....I plan on hitting up the Rush or Kinni over spring break and was wondering, 1)Is my license still good from the 05 season(expires March 31st)? 2)Can you use artificial lures (Mepps/Rooster Tails) with pinched barbs? 3)What patterns/hatches will most likely work this time of year. I used to fish the Rush a lot but school is taking a lot of time now....used to do well on prince nymphs and scuds this time of year.

[Quickstrike]

Yes your license is still good until the end of march, but you can buy next years early if you prefer. And for the hooks, I believe they need to be completly barbless. I always fly fish during the early season and buy hooks without barbs to tie with. So I honestly don't know about pinching the barbs on a spinner, the law saws barbless. Maybe someone else can help us out, otherwise I would contact the dnr.

[Browning83]

Yeah I generally flyfish for trout only....I was planning on bringing a friend along and doesnt know how or have to gear to flyfish. Have you been out there lately....any certain patterns been working best for you?

[Quickstrike]

I have not been out yet this year. Last year small PTs, hares ears, and scuds dark colors worked best early in the year.

[Abrams]

Barbless and catch/release for trout right now. PT's, scuds, hair's ear fished in deep pools and long deep runs.

[Quickstrike]

Looks like I'll be fishing the Rush and the Kinnie this coming sunday through tuesday. To you guys that have been out already; hows the water looking? If anyone wants to meet down there it looks like I'll be flying solo.

[Abrams]

Water levels were very good on Sunday but it was snowing hard that day. It might be high and stained now, after Sunday's snow (5" of heavy wet snow). Sounds like a chance of rain/snow this weekend. Could really make things hard until the rivers clear up.

[Quickstrike]

last year I fished 3 days with the water being low and clear the first day and the fish were very spooky. the second day we had 45 degree temps which clouded the river up a bit and we pounded nice browns and brookies all day. we got some rain the night before our final day and the rivers looked like chocolate milk, we only got one fish in the morning and called it quits. hopefully things don't too clouded up over the weekend.

[Quickstrike]

Looks like we're going to get a bunch of snow and rain tonight that might put a damper on my trip for this year, 8-10 inches in baldwin overnight.

[Quickstrike]

Well the weather was as bad as expected but we still caught fish! The drive to the Rush was a white knucke ride but after passing nearlt 50 cars and semis in the ditch we arrived at the Rush late monday morning. Monday was very slow fishing wise and we gave up early after deepdiver broke his rod and we were just plain cold. Tuesday was much better as it was sunny and much more comfortable. We landed over a dozen nice browns with the biggest being 16.5 inches. PTs and scuds were the ticket. Water levels were slightly low but getting better as all the snow we received started to create a little run off to add a little color to the gin clear water. We did not see another fisherman in two full days of fishing, I have some great pics that I will post shortly.