 Bluegill
Common Name: Bluegill, Sun Fish, Red-Breasted Bream. Average Wt: 3/4-1 lb. Peak Wt: 3 lb. Record: 4 lb 12 oz taken in Alabama in 1950 Bluegills are found across the continental United States. They live in quiet, weedy streams and lakes. During the daytime they congregate near coves and under overhanging trees and docks. Larger fish prefer deep water, coming in to feed during the early morning or late afternoon. Spawning takes place in late May to early August at water temperatures 67-80 degrees F. The male selects a sand or gravel bar that can be hallowed out to form a nest. The male defends the nest against all species, but most vigorously against other male sunfishes. Plain garden worms are the favorite bait for bluegills. Fly fishermen can have fun with poppers. Winter jigging in the weed beds with grubs also produce excellent results. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Crappie
Common Name: Black Crappie, Papermouth, Calico Bass. Average Wt: 1-2 lb. Peak Wt: Over 5 lbs Record: 4 lb 8 oz taken in Virginia in 1981 Crappie are found from southern Manitoba to southern Quebec and from Nebraska to the eastern seaboard. They are also found in the south from Texas to Florida. They prefer turbid, silty lakes and streams. Feeding occurs near the surface usually at dusk. In Wisconsin, the spawning usually occurs in May and June but with colder temperatures can occur in July. Favorable spawning temperatures range from 64 to 68 degrees. The male sweeps out a nest in sand or gravel and defends the young until they start to feed. The crappie is an excellent game fish but care has to be taken in landing due to their very tender mouths. The best baits are minnows on light tackle. The crappie lie in weed beds in deep water during the day and bite best in the early morning or toward evening. In the summer, with the abundance of small fish for feed, they are more difficult to catch. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Largemouth
Bass
Common Name: Large Mouth Bass, Green Bass, Bucketmouth Average Wt: 3 lb in the North, 8-10 lb in the South. Peak Wt: 20 lbs Record: 22 lb 4 oz taken in Georgia in 1932 Large mouth are stocked in every state in the U.S. and are found as far south as Mexico and as far north as Canada. They like sluggish streams and weedy shallow lakes and backwaters. They can be found in as little as a puddle to vast stretches. They can be found in water no deeper than 20 ft. and do not stray from areas with debris, logs, stumps and weed beds. Largemouth spawning season is from late April to early July. The eggs are laid in a nest when the water temperatures are at 62-65 degrees. Eggs are deposited in a nest on a sand or gravel bottom or on hard objects like roots, twigs or snail shells. Territorial defense is practiced by largemouth bass as with other sun fishes. Largemouth bite on almost anything. They like minnows, worms or other live bait. Poppers or streamers on a fly rod or plugs on a casting or spinning rod can yield largemouth also. A weedless bait is often necessary. The best times are early morning or evening in the warmer months. Bass like warm water and warm weather. Few bite in winter. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Muskellunge
Common Names: Musky, Great Pike, Stripped Muskellunge Average Wt: 10-20 lbs Peak Wt: 70 lbs Record: 67 lb 8 oz in Hayward, Wisconsin in 1949 Muskie can be found as far north as James Bay and Hudson Bay in northern Canada and across the U.S. from Wisconsin to the Middle Atlantic States, and south into Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and much of northern Mississippi. Muskie live in rivers, streams and lakes. They prefer cold water but can tolerate up to 70 degrees. In Wisconsin the spawning occurs in mid April to mid May. Optimal spawning temperature is 55 degrees but can range from 49 to 60 degrees. Eggs are deposited on several hundred yards of shoreline. There is no parental care. Adult spawners return to the same spawning ground in consecutive years. The natural home of the muskie is northern lakes and rivers. It is a solitary fish and lurks weed beds and protective cover. Best muskie fishing is during the daytime. Large spoons, plugs and bucktail are the best artificial baits. Live fish 10-12 inches is also good. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Northern
Pike
Common Name: Northern Pike, Pike, Jackfish Average Wt: 5-25 lb Peak Wt: 50 lb Record: 55 lb 1 oz in West Germany in 1986 Pike are found in most northern waters, especially from Alaska east to Labrador and south from the Dakotas and St. Lawrence to Nebraska and Pennsylvania. Stocked pike can be found in Montana, Colorado, North Carolina and Maryland. The northern is common in Wisconsin except in the southeastern quarter where populations are seriously depressed. Pike live in shallow, weedy, large, small and deep lakes and rivers. They tolerate rivers with medium current. Spawning occurs in late March to early April, in temperatures from 34 to 40 degrees, but 36-37 degrees are preferred. Northern migrate to spawning areas during the night. Spawning takes place in flooded areas with some vegetation and involves one female and one to three attendant males. Eggs are deposited and adhere to vegetation. There is no parental care. Northern are most active when the water is cool. They bite the best during the daytime. They prefer live bait and wobbling spoons. They are a favorite target for the ice fisherman with tip-ups. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Smallmouth
Bass
Common Name: Smallmouth Bass, Black Bass, Bronzeback Average Wt: 1-1/2 to 3 lbs. Peak Wt: 12 lbs Record: 11 lb 15 oz in Kentucky in 1955 The smallmouth is common in medium to large streams and large clear water lakes throughout Wisconsin. It is native to New England, southern Canada, the Great Lakes area and in large rivers in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It can be found in moderate and cooler climates coast to coast. They can be found in rivers with moderate current and gravel points. Look for bass near gravel bars, weed beds and drop-offs. Spawning occurs mid May through June in waters 55 to 75 degrees. The male builds several practice nests before settling on one that is suitable. The nest is a large perfectly circular clean gravel structure. The male bass protects the nest from intruders. Pound for pound the smallmouth is the scrappiest fish in Wisconsin. It likes a rocky stream or lake where its favorite food, the crayfish, is abundant. The best fishing takes place in June just after the spawning season and in early fall. Natural baits like hellgrammites, dragonfly larvae and crayfish are especially effective during early morning and late evening. The best artificial baits are those used on the surface with light tackle. Fish quietly, casting towards rocks and logs, keeping the rod tip up and the line taut. Scroll to view entire page. |
 Walleye
Common Name: Walleye, Walleye Pike, Pike Perch Average Wt: 1 to 3 lbs. Peak Wt: 25 lbs Record: 25 lbs in Tennessee in 1960 Walleye was originally confined to larger lakes and waterways in Wisconsin. Extensive stocking of fry and fingerlings has spread the presence of walleye throughout the state. It can be found in most of Canada as far north as Great Slave Lake and Labrador. In the U.S. it was limited to the northern states but stocking has increased in all of the East and most of the far-west and south. This perch loves clear, cold, deep waters in lakes and rivers and prefers a sand, gravel or rock bottom. Walleyes are schoolers, so once you catch one, more are to follow. Spawning migration begins as soon as the ice is out, at water temperatures of 38 to 44 degrees. In Wisconsin spawning occurs between mid April and early May but may extend to the middle of May. Spawning reaches a peak in temperatures of 42 to 50 degrees. Walleye are not territorial and usually broadcast their eggs. There is no parental care. The walleye is one of the most highly prized fishes in Wisconsin. Thousands are caught each year during the spawning run. They primarily feed on minnows but leeches, small bullheads, night crawlers, and various plugs are favorite baits. In clear waters, walleye stay in deeper water during the day and move to the shallows at night. In more turbid waters they may be caught throughout the day. The large unusual eyes of the walleye help them easily find their prey. Scroll to view entire page. |
| Most of the information on this page was found in various magazines, including Field and Stream, The In-Fisherman, and North American Fisherman. Other information was provided by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Field and Stream On-Line. |
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