Northern Wi Bass Spawn

[KYBassin']

Good morning,

I'm heading up to a little north of Eau Claire the 1st week of June and I'm wondering what to expect from the bass spawn situation. I know it was a cold winter with some late snow fall..so I'm guessing water levels will be up. But does anyone have any insights into the normal timing of the spawn and what might happen this year?

Thanks

[MarkH024]

It is different every year, solely based off ice out.  Once the ice is gone, shallower lakes can heat up quickly if the sun shines often. Cold rains can cool the water down really quick.  Based off my experiences, you'll find fish spawning (all stages) from May-Mid June.  The only way you're going to really know is to just get out there and look. The weather and temps are so inconsistent in the midwest that it is never a set in stone time frame.

 

If you're targeting LMB at that time, look in 6 fow or less and lots of cover.  If you're targeting smallies, 8-12 fow, in rock, sand, riprap closest to the greenest vegetation you can find. 

Good luck!

[KYBassin']

Thanks. Yeah, I know there are a lot of variables to the timing and what stage they'll be in. But I'm guessing they will be a little behind the normal process with snow and ice still present.

[MarkH024]

I just checked some reports on that area, some lakes with ice, some without as of now.  Based off that info, Bass will probably be on beds last 2 weeks of May into June. I think you'll be finding fish in all 3 stages of spawn to be honest. 

What lake will you be fishing?

[KYBassin']

It's a smaller lake, stained water. It's one of those "honey holes"...not many people know about it. Sorry to dodge the question, but I'm keeping the name a secret. But I do appreciate your input.

[MarkH024]

It's a smaller lake, stained water. It's one of those "honey holes"...not many people know about it. Sorry to dodge the question, but I'm keeping the name a secret. But I do appreciate your input.

No worries, I get it completely.  My home lake is small so I don't share the name to many people.

[plumworm]

I'll bet the name of the lake is "Bass". There are 47 "Bass" lakes on maps in Wis.

[Danarchy]

FIB (Mark) is spot on - usually mid to end of May. Mid June they are usually starting to get into their summer patterns and the fishing is great. On local rivers here like the Miss, some of the backwaters are already getting close to 60 degrees or more, so the spawn can be a few weeks ahead.

Edited April 24, 2014 by Danarchy

[MarkH024]

Lol. FIB

[Danarchy]

Woops - Mark - I was looking for your name after reading your post and saw Fishin FIB. 

[MarkH024]

Its all good. I didn't take offense.

[FlipnLimits]

As FIB, I mean Mark, has said.....late May, early June will find you with all phases of the spawn. 

 

FL

[plumworm]

Danarchry, where did you come up with  mid 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi? The river temps are in the low to mid 40's. Go to Lake-Link and look at pool #9 posts. I have a cabin 70 mi. north of Green Bay. There is still about 24" of snow up there. and most lakes still have 18-24 of ice. Ya, there is at some melting on the shore because of the angle of the sun, but I will bet you that most lakes north of "29" will still have ice for the fishing opener on May 3. The 10 day weather for N/E Wis. is highs in the 40's/low 50's and half of the night temps. below "32" I will also bet that the LM will still be spawning in late June and the SM will still be still be spawning in late July like they did in 2010. 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi, No freeking way.

[FlipnLimits]

Danarchry, where did you come up with  mid 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi? The river temps are in the low to mid 40's. Go to Lake-Link and look at pool #9 posts. I have a cabin 70 mi. north of Green Bay. There is still about 24" of snow up there. and most lakes still have 18-24 of ice. Ya, there is at some melting on the shore because of the angle of the sun, but I will bet you that most lakes north of "29" will still have ice for the fishing opener on May 3. The 10 day weather for N/E Wis. is highs in the 40's/low 50's and half of the night temps. below "32" I will also bet that the LM will still be spawning in late June and the SM will still be still be spawning in late July like they did in 2010. 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi, No freeking way.

Maybe closer to Clinton or Dubuque, not further North.  Haven't been there but also doubt it can be that warm in WI, especially north of the IL border.

[jiggz125]

It's a smaller lake, stained water. It's one of those "honey holes"...not many people know about it. Sorry to dodge the question, but I'm keeping the name a secret. But I do appreciate your input.

Hope its not lower turtle lake just kidding, best of luck when you are up this way.

 

What do you guys suggest using in early on just after Ice Out for LMB? I will be going fishing this weekend for opener as the most the areas I fish up here the ice just dropped within the past week. I am thinking lipless cranks, swim jigs, flukes and maybe bigger profile flippin/pitching jigs?

[KYBassin']

Ha. It's not a lake named "Bass" and it's not Lower Turtle. Or is it?

[Danarchy]

Danarchry, where did you come up with  mid 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi? The river temps are in the low to mid 40's. Go to Lake-Link and look at pool #9 posts. I have a cabin 70 mi. north of Green Bay. There is still about 24" of snow up there. and most lakes still have 18-24 of ice. Ya, there is at some melting on the shore because of the angle of the sun, but I will bet you that most lakes north of "29" will still have ice for the fishing opener on May 3. The 10 day weather for N/E Wis. is highs in the 40's/low 50's and half of the night temps. below "32" I will also bet that the LM will still be spawning in late June and the SM will still be still be spawning in late July like they did in 2010. 60's in the backwaters of the Mississippi, No freeking way.

Plumworm - I read it in a report somewhere, can't recall. I remember for a fact that this time last year (or a few weeks back) there was 60 degrees in some of the backwaters of the Miss, pool 4 area. The fish were stacked in these shallow areas where the water was 10-15 degrees warmer than the main channel.

[KYBassin']

So, is the ice off yet? Or will I need to bring a few tip-ups?

[KYBassin']

What are water temps looking like? I saw it is finally starting to warm up in northern WI.

[tipptruck1]

Not sure on the water temps. As of right now every thing is close to flood stage. With all the snow melt and rain. The WI river in Wausau. Is about 3-4 feet higher then normal. When the water is that high, and fast. I do not even bother trying to get out. You can not present a bait to save your life.

[BDAWGIN]

Do any of you have any reports from Grindstone Lake in Hayward WI? Been up there a couple times in previous years but having trouble any fishing reports. Any information would be greatly appreciated!!

[MarkH024]

Some reports here for Grindstone, but not a lot. 

 

http://lake-link.com/Wisconsin-Fishing-Reports/report.cfm/1919/Grindstone-Lake-Sawyer-County/

[BDAWGIN]

Yes I saw Lake-link posts and posted on there.... Thanks anyways

[Scott F]

I'm in North central Wisconsin (east of Hayward) right now and the water temps are currently in the middle to upper 40s. The largemouth are staging in deeper water and the smallmouth are just beginning to make their move into the shallows. It will be a few more days before things really get going. We're catching fish, but it is much slower than normal for this time of year.

[BDAWGIN]

Thanks for the information Scott F... I figured it would be in the mid-upper 40"s... Hopefully this couple day stretch of better weather will fire them up for this weekend when we arrive... We have only fished the lake with water temps below 50 in early May so we decided to push it back few weeks I think this decision will pay off.  Are there better lakes to fish Smallies in the Hayward area besides Grindstone, LOC & Round?