Musky season opened for Wisconsin waters North of Highway 10, including the Wausau area, and thus far the fish have been consistently active. The best action has come from shallower water containing weeds or wood in close proximity to the shoreline. Points, especially those extending further out into the lake or river and adjacent to shallow bays and backwaters are also holding fish. The best producing lures have been on the smaller side, with in-line spinners such as the Mepps Musky Killer an excellent choice for fishing over and around heavy cover. Downsized rubber style baits such as Suzy Suckers and Killer Eels have also been working well. Fish these lures along the emerging weed lines or adjacent to shallow wood.
The walleye fishing has been excellent with big fish being caught during the daylight hours on a regular basis. Anglers looking to score on marble-eyes should stock an assortment of weedless jigs and probe the plentiful logjams, blow downs, and submerged wood in the area. Jigs have been the most productive when tipped with minnows such as large fatheads, and will also score a variety of bonus fish such as largemouth bass, northern pike, and the occasional musky. The better developed weedbeds will produce walleyes on slip bobbers when fished during early morning or evening as well. Again, rig your presentation with a large fathead and small hook to present as naturally as possible.
Smallmouth bass fishermen are experiencing some fine action while working shallower areas containing rocks, gravel, or sand. Search these areas with a lipless style crankbaits such as the Bucher PT Rattler in the 2” or 3” size. For fishing close to stumps or other heavier cover, utilize the weedless abilities of a Mepps Black Fury Combo or a weedless rigged 3” tube. Weedless rigged tubes are dynamite lures for scouring the array of woody structure currently holding smallmouth bass. Fish have been active in as little as a foot of water so be sure to not overlook the “skinniest” areas while attempting to locate these bronze battlers.
Although many of the bays and backwaters frequented by the resident populations of bluegills and crappies are becoming heavily vegetated, good numbers of fish remain accessible to anglers. Work small floats rigged with tiny jig and tubes or live bait alongside downed timber. Look for pockets and lanes in the weeds to also offer avenues for scoring on good catches of panfish. For sparser areas, try a tiny Aglia spinner or crankbait as these will often provoke strikes from the largest panfish in the area.
And remember, that unlike so many lakes further north, that have daily walleye bag limits of two or three fish, the walleye bag limit remains at FIVE (5) fish on most of the waters of the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.
With such a wealth of opportunities, it's important for anglers to practice catch-and-release for everything but a few for the frying pan. This simple and mindful conservation will insure that the legendary fishing in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area will continue for generations to come.
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