Chippewa River in Eau Claire Fishing Reports

[monster musky]

I go to school in Eau Claire and I have seen a few boats fishing the Chip near campus. I was just wondering where the nearest boat landing was and how many hazards are in the river that I could ruin my outboard on. Would I be better off fishing upstream or downstream from campus?

[Cooter]

Welcome aboard! First off, just so you don't get any crazy ideas, there are NO muskies in the Chippewa R!! !!

The landing you'll want to use is on the north side of the river right on the bend where Water St turns in Menomonie St. Right near Hobbs ice rink. Pretty easy to get up to the hole where Little Niagara runs in. Gets tricky going up further to either where the Eau Claire R meets or below the rapids at the city shops. Go slow and have a spotter up front til you figure it out.

Going downstream is a bit easier. If you have a small boat and 4wheel drive you can put in underneath where I-94 crosses, north side of the river also.

Shore fishing is always an option, but you usually do better in a boat.

Hope this helps, fire away with any more questions.

Ah, I remember my UW-EC days!!

[dudewheresmyboat]

That's an awesome stretch of river. I grew up fishing below the rapids. That was years ago! And yes what Cooter said, there are NO muskies in there. Good Luck out there and leave us a report!

[Cooter]

Dude - what neighborhood? I'm on Fountain just east of 3rd if you're familiar - I can see the shops through the trees in wintertime. Grab a rod, couple lures, small(or big!) cooler of beer, walk out my front door and be fishing in 10 minutes.

Wanted to hop the rocks from the old train trussle up to the dam on my side of the river but they had a gate over there open most of the year - think they were doing repairs on the other end.

Did fish the shops Sat but only managad a couple little shovelnose sturgeon. Walleyes should pick up with some warmer weather.

Did land a 55" lake sturgeon for a guy about 3 weeks ago there. Gonna try catfishing there this summer also. Later.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Cooter, I grew up on 1st St and Platt. i could see the companys down the hill and barely see the river. It was good times but years ago. You fish Dells pond?? I was thinking about dragging the boat down there this year.

[Cooter]

I don't fish Dells as much as I should - my guess is that it could be a sleeper spot for muskies if a guy put in the time to figure them out in there.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Cooter, been out fishing lately in the dt area? I might head down to menomonie in the am for them walleyes.

[Cooter]

No but will probably get out sometime between now and Sunday. Good luck in Menomonie, let us know how you do.

[Cooter]

dude - got a report for the Cedar? I had a hot bite on the Chipp last night but they were little. Couple other people fishing and they were catching plenty of cigars as well.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Red Cedar-SLOW!!! Saw 3 other boats out saw 1 short boated. I caught a muskie on a lindy. thats about it.

[anordqu42]

Any word if the redhorse or suckers active on the Chip yet? I'm going to be in the area this weekend and hoping to find some action.

[dudewheresmyboat]

Anordqu42, if the Chipp isn't producing on your way home stop on the Red Cedar. Its usually hot right about now. With this warmer weather, it should be good to go!

[Cooter]

Went out again last night, water was down probably about 2 feet compared to Wed. Caught some little guys again, slower than Wed though. First bite broke me off on the hookset - very well could have been a musky, might have helped explain the decrease in bites.

[Cooter]

Oh yeah, I haven't fished for them but would be willing to be the suckers and redhorse are biting.

[anordqu42]

I wanted to say thanks for the information. I didn't find much action in the downtown EC area but when I went down river a bit I did find some feeding redhorse. And thanks for the tip on the RC. Didn't get a chance to stop by this past weekend, but do try to whenever I head over that way. Great river. Actually, both the Chip and the RC are great rivers, makes going to the inlaws that much easier!!

[Cooter]

Has anyone been on the Chippewa around Eau Claire lately? Just haven't had time to make my usual fishing runs after work lately. Am guessing the water is up pretty good.

[MuntzAngling]

Where are good places to launch downstream of Eau Claire? Is it medium or wide and deep in that stretch down to the Ol Miss? Choosing between 12' jon and 16' V hull. I'm a first timer there, any help is big.

[Cooter]

By Caryville on Co H or at Durand, depending on how far you want to go. The Gazetteer shows several landings between Caryville and Durand but to my knowledge you have to carry your boat/canoe to the water - not far at all but nothing where you can back a trailer in that I'm aware off.

Go with the 12' jon - the river for the most part is fairly wide and shallow. There are plenty of deep holes to fish but you'll run into pretty skinny water in between.

You planning on fishing it yet this year?

[MuntzAngling]

Thanks. Yeah, possibly could make it Friday or Saturday this weekend. Still mulling over a trip to the Superior National Forest. Would you want to meet up? I was planning on musky fishing a few miles of river.

-Minner

[Cooter]

Thanks much for the offer but I'll be camping/bowhunting this weekend. Between the Superior NF and the Chippewa R I'll vote for the Chippewa so you can give a fishing report!!

[Chipmuskies]

If you are looking for muskies, put in at Hobbs Ice

Arena and work down from there. Two good follows on Sunday but no hook ups.

[Cooter]

Welcome to the site Chipmuskies!

How far down from Hobbs did you go?

[MuntzAngling]

Fishing report from saturday is sloooow. We put in at County H and took out at Meridean boat launch. Had to come upriver from the confluence. Slough channels upstream were nearly nonexistent. A few smallies and couple pike. No muskies sighted. There's some good river around there though.

Where is Hobbs Ice Arena?

-Minner

[Cooter]

Hobbs is downtown Eau Claire right next to the Chipp R, west side of town. Boat landing there.

[Chipmuskies]

I fish from Hobbs down to the 85 wayside. I will be going tomorrow and let you know what I find.