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blutofish1
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11/24/2021 06:56PM  
I'm looking to do a fishing trip to central or northern Wisconsin in the spring. Any tips on lakes or presentations for walleye . Thanks in advance. I am in central Indiana and would like to limit my drive time to 7 or 8 hours
 
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Scoobs
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11/24/2021 08:23PM  
blutofish1: " I'm looking to do a fishing trip to central or northern Wisconsin in the spring. Any tips on lakes or presentations for walleye . Thanks in advance. I am in central Indiana and would like to limit my drive time to 7 or 8 hours "


Northern, WI - Long Lake in Washburn County is a fantastic Walleye lake.

Northern, WI - White Sand Lake - Vilas County is also another fantastic fishing lake. I highly recommend staying at Dillman's Bay Resort.

Central Wi - Castle Rock Lake, Adams County - a few hours closer than either of the northern lakes.

Central WI - Petenwell Lake, Adams County is a short drive north of Castle Rock Lake

There are a TON of walleye lakes up in Hayward. For presentations - Can't beat learning about Walleye on the Tom Boley YouTube Channel. He was a fishing guide in Hayward, who went full time on YouTube - pretty much sharing everything... His YouTube channel is a gold mine...

Enjoy your trip. :)
 
Wallyhunter7
member (13)member
  
11/24/2021 09:16PM  
+1 on watching Tom Boley’s vids
 
yogi59weedr
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11/25/2021 12:34PM  
Tony, what time in the spring. I know pool 9 and 10 on the Mississippi are pretty good in march and April.
I looked into fishing long lake a few years back. Advertised as walleye capital of Wisconsin. Google John Gillespie water and woods fishing show.
NSCHHD CHANNEL 665 ON directv.
He fishes Wisconsin on a weekly basis and televised sane week he fishes. Always current.
 
AlexaBliss
member (7)member
  
11/26/2021 08:00AM  
Make summer a great time with fishing. Bass and panfish opportunities are plentiful across the state, as they move into shallow water to build nests and spawn. Large and smallmouth bass are usually well into their spawning period in northern Wisconsin.
 
blutofish1
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11/26/2021 09:34AM  
Cliff, I'll get with you on this. Just looking for something a little closer to home to do some walleye fishing.
 
yogi59weedr
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11/26/2021 06:28PM  
10 4 ,Tony.
 
yogi59weedr
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11/28/2021 12:27PM  
Contact the long lake chamber of commerce
715 354 3322.
They will send ya one of these.
 
Chicagored
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12/23/2021 11:05AM  
Tony, I have a place in north central wisconsin about 11 miles north of Antigo Wi on 45 and 2 miles west on J. (if you google the Thisty Bear Pub, I am about 1/4 miles east) Langlade county. Curious when you are going, if you know yet. If you need a place to park, let me know. If I'm not there, you could camp on the property. (20 acres) Also, let me know if you want some company on your trip wherever you go.

A gazillion lakes around, but haven't done research in years re which are the best walleye lakes in the area, as opposed to bass, northern, etc. My property has half of 2 lakes and a short carryover to a 90 acre lake. I know there is walleye in upper and lower post lake (1/2 hour away), greater bass lake (10 minutes away) and Summit Lake (15 minutes away).

Another alternative is the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage. Sort of a more crowded mini BWCA with boat in campsites. About 1/2 is designated canoe only. On the weekends, it can be a bit noisy with large noisy campers since there are no portages.

mitch
 
blutofish1
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12/25/2021 10:26AM  
Thanks Mitch for the offer. We have decided the 2nd week of April and will ice be off the lakes by then? We are leaning toward the Miss. River but, this would be a good option. I'll let you know. You know you are welcome to join us as I will be towing my 16 ft. Basstracker and it will fish 3 with no problem where ever we decide to go. Thanks again.
 
HayRiverDrifter
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12/27/2021 09:43PM  
Walleye will not be open in April on lakes. Walleye on lakes typically opens the 1st weekend in May. Walleye will be open on the Mississippi.

2nd week in April may be good for crappie though.
 
blutofish1
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12/28/2021 09:08AM  
HayRiverDrifter: "Walleye will not be open in April on lakes. Walleye on lakes typically opens the 1st weekend in May. Walleye will be open on the Mississippi.


2nd week in April may be good for crappie though."
Thanks for the info
 
Chicagored
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01/03/2022 10:04AM  
I think you are smart to stay south in early April. My lakes will probably still be iced over then. Especially with the cold weather we are having now. Personally, I'm heading to the Florida panhandle this week for 2 months. Thanks for the invite. I will get back to you on that when the time is sooner. Or maybe see you at canoecopia.
 
Scoobs
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01/03/2022 04:53PM  
If you're coming to WI in early April, and you want to catch some EYES (and release), there are a several lakes in southern WI that could be solid.

Lake Delavan - Eyes, Smallies, Largies, Muskie
Lake Geneva - Eyes, Smallies, Largies, big Lakers
Lake Koshkonong - Eyes, Smallies, Largies, Muskie (both varieties)
Lake Kegonsa - Eyes, Smallies, Largies, Muskie
Lake Waubesa - Eyes, Smallies, Largies, Muskie
Yellowstone Lake - Eyes, Largies, Muskie
Mirror Lake - Eyes, Largies - this is a really cool lake - but it's buried in a canyon. Not sure if the ice will be out.

Milwaukee area:
Pewaukee Lake - Largies, Pike, Walleye, Muskie
Nagawicka Lake - Largies, Smallies, Pike, Walleye
Pine Lake - Largies, Smallies, Pike, Walleye
Oconomowoc Lake - Largies, Smallies, Pike, Walleye



 
01/25/2022 03:41PM  
If it's after the opener in May then I can recommend the Manitowish Chain in Vilas county. My grandparents had a house on the chain in the late 70's/early 80's, and I still like to go up there. Nice town there too
 
01/29/2022 11:40PM  
Might want to check out Willow Flowage or Turtle Flambeau Flowage. Been to both and they were pretty sweet. Good fishing, nice campsites pretty much like BW, with a picnic table is the only difference really, which doesn’t hurt. Almost no houses on the shorelines. I liked both a lot. Willow is a 5 hour car ride from northern Il., Turtle Flambeau is about 1 1/2 hours longer. I too looked for fishing/camping trips closer than BW and these 2 spots are worth a visit.
 
blutofish1
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01/31/2022 05:08PM  
Thank you
 
01/31/2022 06:57PM  
Check out the Wisconsin DNR website for more info. No permit needed, nice campsites, wild and scenic shorelines, good fishing. I did a couple guided trips with Jeff Winters on the Willow after seeing him on John Gillespies W&W. Caught a limit of walleyes and a handful of eater sized pike both times. If you google that you can get a good idea of what it’s all about. You can watch the episodes. I really liked Willow, there is a bait shop and pub very close to the landings, say hi to Herman for me. Really nice area, and canoe friendly.

Cheers, scat
 
Scoobs
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02/02/2022 06:55AM  
scat: "Check out the Wisconsin DNR website for more info. No permit needed, nice campsites, wild and scenic shorelines, good fishing. I did a couple guided trips with Jeff Winters on the Willow after seeing him on John Gillespies W&W. Caught a limit of walleyes and a handful of eater sized pike both times. If you google that you can get a good idea of what it’s all about. You can watch the episodes. I really liked Willow, there is a bait shop and pub very close to the landings, say hi to Herman for me. Really nice area, and canoe friendly.


Cheers, scat"



I just ran across this John Gillespies video yesterday, and marked the Willow Reservoir on my "to do" list.

John Gillespies - Fishing Willow Reservoir Flowage

The Chippewa Flowage in Hayward also has campsites. The vast majority of it has natural shorelines, without homes and docks. There are a few resorts scattered around the Flowage, but for the most part, you won't see homes. I've heard several people refer to it as the "closest thing Wisconsin has to being a 'Canadian' lake". LOL

There are campsites scattered throughout, on the numerous islands. Only things paddlers might not like with these bodies of water - the number of boats and jet skis ripping from one side of the Flowage to the other. Water clarity is moderate at best. There is walleye fishing in both bodies of water.

Edit: Just found another one to possibly check out - Rainbow Flowage - just east of Minoqua. Looks like another solid area. Gilmore Lake is right next to the the Rainbow Flowage, with easy boat access on the south east edge (County HWY E).
 
papalambeau
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02/02/2022 09:00AM  
Thanks for the info on Willow Flowage Scat and Scoobs. I will be checking it out sometime in June.
 
02/02/2022 12:03PM  
Check out the Wisconsin DNR website. There are several lakes with canoe friendly camping. I've also been to Caldron Falls Flowage a few times outside of Crivitz. No houses on the lake but not as wildernessy overall as the others mentioned and you needed to reserve a campsite, but it is pretty cool. Fishing is a lot tougher on Caldron and High Falls Flowages, but I did hook into a nice musky close to my campsite that I battled, and sadly lost when he jumped and threw my lure. Oh for five on landing a musky out of my canoe, but I'm not dead yet. Crivitz is only 3 1/2 hours north of where I live in northern Il. Willow Flowage has skies too, there is a few videos on youtube last I checked. A lot of pike and there is a fair chance you can hook a big hard fighting dogfish, which can get sporty. Limited out on walleyes three times, there is a slot, maybe release over 21" and you can keep one big one, but I'm sketchy on that and things do change.
The spot where Gillespie and Jeff Winters fished Willow on the show is right where I fished with him, and I know the spot...

I also did a trip to a lake that was close to Minoqua, but the name escapes me. I can prob find the info if I dig around a bit. It wasn't a big lake like Rainbow, much smaller, but was rumored to be a good lake for numbers of muskies, which escaped me as well. The campsite was, well let's say rustic if not rugged, obviously didn't get many visitors. I went there because on a Gillespie show he fished with Winters on nearby Tomahawk Lake and after poking around the Wi DNR website found it. It was kinda cool but def not as much as Willow or TF flowages. TF has a no wake area friendly for canoeists I think I remember.

Go for it. I should have went last year but I had a lazy ass gf at the time who wouldn't sleep in a tent. But maybe that's TMI haha

Cheers, scat
 
papalambeau
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02/02/2022 01:06PM  
Haha!

I sent you an email Scat so look for it and we can keep talking and sharing info.

Take care
 
02/02/2022 07:32PM  
Papa - sent you some intel. Go for it, it’s a keeper!
The lake I mentioned near Minoqua is High Lake, found my stuff. There is camping on a few lakes around there. It was worth a shot, but I would def give the nod to Willow or TF.
 
papalambeau
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02/03/2022 11:11AM  
Many thanks Scat. Can't wait to hit the Willow. You should be an outfitter!
 
Scoobs
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02/03/2022 04:09PM  
scat: "Papa - sent you some intel. Go for it, it’s a keeper!
The lake I mentioned near Minoqua is High Lake, found my stuff. There is camping on a few lakes around there. It was worth a shot, but I would def give the nod to Willow or TF."


Is High Lake, the one just north east of Boulder Junction? Kind of connected to Fish Trap Lake with a little river/channel?

I have been doing endless research for fishing lakes all over WI - I'm going to have SO much fun traveling all over WI and checking out fishing lakes.

Fisher Lake 60 - chain of lakes looks like a beautiful location. Largies, Smallies, Pike, Walleye, Muskie...

There's a lodge on the lake with some cabins, and they can set you up with a campsite on the island. The water is "moderately clear". So at least it isn't murky. It's about a 5 hour drive from Milwaukee, WI.





 
BWfishingfanatic12
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02/04/2022 09:22AM  
Papalambeau you want to send me an email to so we can connect again like we used to about the BWCA and Quetico. Possibly planning a big Q trip for early June 2023... Would love to catch up and see how you and the family are doing. email: krausebe02@gmail.com

-Bryan
 
02/04/2022 09:24AM  
Scoobs - Yeah that is the one, High Lake near Boulder Junction not Minoqua. Could be a decent little canoe trip thru both lakes. I stayed at campsite #4 on High, and like I said it was a tad rugged, don't think the sites are used or maintained much. Don't think more than one tent could fit on #4 at the time I went there in 2015, but maybe things have changed since then. The first site from the put in, #1 was decent if I remember. Be honest I don't think I caught a single fish in 3 days, but I was told at the put in by a guy that it is a good numbers lake for muskies. It's worth a shot. Nice area. I should have checked out Tomahawk Lake on my way out.
 
Scoobs
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02/17/2022 01:25PM  
scat: "Scoobs - Yeah that is the one, High Lake near Boulder Junction not Minoqua. Could be a decent little canoe trip thru both lakes. I stayed at campsite #4 on High, and like I said it was a tad rugged, don't think the sites are used or maintained much. Don't think more than one tent could fit on #4 at the time I went there in 2015, but maybe things have changed since then. The first site from the put in, #1 was decent if I remember. Be honest I don't think I caught a single fish in 3 days, but I was told at the put in by a guy that it is a good numbers lake for muskies. It's worth a shot. Nice area. I should have checked out Tomahawk Lake on my way out."



I'm still satellite browsing WI, looking for fishing lakes, and making up my to-do list. I just ran across a cool body of water that might be fun for canoe camping and fishing.

High Falls Reservoir and Caldron Falls Flowage. Both are connected by Peshtigo River - and it looks like a beautiful area to paddle. It's big, numerous islands.







This area looks about as much like the BWCA as there is Wisconsin. Being that it's less than 3 hours from my home, I'm now planning on hitting this area a couple of times. Maybe August and October.

Fishies found in this area: Largies, Smallies, Pike, Walleye, and Muskie

Drive times:
Chicago = 4 hours 10 minutes
Milwaukee = 2 hours 45 minutes
Madison = 3 hours 15 minutes
Minneapolis = 4 hours 30 minutes
 
02/17/2022 03:04PM  
Scoobs - I have been to this area a bunch of times. When I was a kid my family of 7 + 2 parents went there almost every year. When I had my own family we went there every year 18 years in a row. We always stayed at Pine Acres resort which has really gone down hill since then. Went with a gf about 2 years ago and it is in a state of disrepair which was sad to see.

That said, I canoed and camped on Caldron Falls on a DNR site 3 times 4-5 years ago. You need a permit which isn't hard to do, you pick it up just down the road from where I put in. The fishing is tough, never slayed them all the years I went there. I do have a largie and a smallie on my wall that I caught on High Falls in the narrows by Pine Acres back in the day, not huge but they are nice fish. The fishing is not easy, I tried for many years to figure it out, but never really had much success. I don't think I ever caught a walleye in all the years I went there, and I tried, just sayin. Caldron is probably a better fishing lake. The shorelines are almost totally devoid of houses, High Falls has some and is a much busier lake, but Caldron has none, so of the two it might be a more wilderness type of experience, but still it has quite a bit of boat traffic and is not really off the beaten path. They stock Caldron quite a bit with muskies and guys will go after them. I did hook a nice muskie just around the corner of my campsite on my last trip, it was a fighter, but I lost it by the boat when he jumped and broke my line and took my Zara Spook with him. Beautiful fish, had a really nice red color on his belly. I hooked a musky in High Falls once when at Pine Acres in the same narrows I mentioned on a crawler rig, but lost him too when I reached for the net and gave it just enough slack that he sliced me off, so sad... A pontoon boat full of people were watching me and the guy drove by and said, we got it on tape! Thanks pal. It is a nice area, but I will say it is not easy fishing, tho you might be a more talented than I.

One thing you have to do is hit Rene's supper club and get the tenderloin. Always a highlight everytime I have been there. If you want to shoot me an email I can show you what campsite I stayed at on Caldron. I have all the maps. It is probably the most remote site, not facing the lake and in a bay, closest the the river inlet, tho I didn't check the other ones out. It is a sweet area overall, nice beaches, swimming, restaurants, stuff to do as a family and we always enjoyed our time there. The camping trips I did were solo. Worth a look and see, just don't expect to slay the fish and it's really not that remote to get a BW type feel. My take.

Cheers, scat

Edit - I did catch a walleye on High Falls once. Me and my dad were drifting somewhat aimlessly and I happened to get one to bite on whatever I had on, prob a crawler. The fishing is tough, just tellin ya straight. My dad was always enthusiastic, but didn’t have a clue. We were always elated to hook into a small northern pike trolling rapalas over the top of a weed line. It seemed to get tougher when I went there with my own family, even a snake was hard to come by.

 
Scoobs
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02/18/2022 10:29AM  
scat: "Scoobs - I have been to this area a bunch of times. When I was a kid my family of 7 + 2 parents went there almost every year. When I had my own family we went there every year 18 years in a row. We always stayed at Pine Acres resort which has really gone down hill since then. Went with a gf about 2 years ago and it is in a state of disrepair which was sad to see.

That said, I canoed and camped on Caldron Falls on a DNR site 3 times 4-5 years ago. You need a permit which isn't hard to do, you pick it up just down the road from where I put in. The fishing is tough, never slayed them all the years I went there. I do have a largie and a smallie on my wall that I caught on High Falls in the narrows by Pine Acres back in the day, not huge but they are nice fish. The fishing is not easy, I tried for many years to figure it out, but never really had much success. I don't think I ever caught a walleye in all the years I went there, and I tried, just sayin. Caldron is probably a better fishing lake. The shorelines are almost totally devoid of houses, High Falls has some and is a much busier lake, but Caldron has none, so of the two it might be a more wilderness type of experience, but still it has quite a bit of boat traffic and is not really off the beaten path. They stock Caldron quite a bit with muskies and guys will go after them. I did hook a nice muskie just around the corner of my campsite on my last trip, it was a fighter, but I lost it by the boat when he jumped and broke my line and took my Zara Spook with him. Beautiful fish, had a really nice red color on his belly. I hooked a musky in High Falls once when at Pine Acres in the same narrows I mentioned on a crawler rig, but lost him too when I reached for the net and gave it just enough slack that he sliced me off, so sad... A pontoon boat full of people were watching me and the guy drove by and said, we got it on tape! Thanks pal. It is a nice area, but I will say it is not easy fishing, tho you might be a more talented than I.

One thing you have to do is hit Rene's supper club and get the tenderloin. Always a highlight everytime I have been there. If you want to shoot me an email I can show you what campsite I stayed at on Caldron. I have all the maps. It is probably the most remote site, not facing the lake and in a bay, closest the the river inlet, tho I didn't check the other ones out. It is a sweet area overall, nice beaches, swimming, restaurants, stuff to do as a family and we always enjoyed our time there. The camping trips I did were solo. Worth a look and see, just don't expect to slay the fish and it's really not that remote to get a BW type feel. My take.


Cheers, scat

Edit - I did catch a walleye on High Falls once. Me and my dad were drifting somewhat aimlessly and I happened to get one to bite on whatever I had on, prob a crawler. The fishing is tough, just tellin ya straight. My dad was always enthusiastic, but didn’t have a clue. We were always elated to hook into a small northern pike trolling rapalas over the top of a weed line. It seemed to get tougher when I went there with my own family, even a snake was hard to come by.


"


Thanks for the info. Even if the fishing is tough, I'm still itching to go. I'm not expecting it to be 100% BW - as there likely isn't any lake that's BW worthy. But it looks about as close as anything as I've seen. The one thing WI failed to do as a state, was buy up land and prevent house building around nearly every body of water in the north. There are a few areas that would have been a good wilderness paddling area.

I'd much appreciate if you can send anything my way regarding that Caldron Falls area. ...and definitely noted on the supper club. I loves me a good supper club. Will send you a PM.
 
02/18/2022 02:38PM  
You got it now bro. Prob more info than you probably bargained for, I had to stop or I would have ruined the sense of adventure haha.

Go for it!
 
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