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| I personally DO NOT like ice fishing. That is only because I hate COLD. A few years ago I would be out on the lake about once a week. Guess my age is showing. I would rather be in a nice warm house working on my computer. The last time I was out, the temperature was -10 with a wind chill of -35. Four people were crowded in a shanty made for 2 people. Even all the body heat did not keep me warm. After that I never wanted to go ice fishing again. | ||||||||||
| BUT I continue to be an armchair fisherman during the winter. The magazines arrive and I read every article. Usually I say "Wish I liked that". The ice fishing prospects seem so good. | ||||||||||
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| From panfish to walleye to pike, southeast Wisconsin's Kettle Moraine State Forest lakes have it all. Here is how you can get in on the action. | ||||||||||
| An example of a number of lakes close together is the cluster of lakes found just north of Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the northern unit of Kettle Moraine State Forest. Lakes such as Long, Kettle Moraine, Crooked, Mauthe, Auburn, Seven, Mud, Bernice, Forest and Butler Lakes are not only close to each other, but are productive, scenic waters that offer fabulous winter catches of panfish, walleye and pike. This well-kept secret provides challenges to seasoned veterans and the novice alike. | ||||||||||
| Access to most of these lakes is convenient, with plowed access and parking areas. Just remember, many of these waters and access points fall within state forest boundaries, so valid Wisconsin State Park stickers are required in addition to Wisconsin fishing licenses. | ||||||||||
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A 29,000-acre gift of the glacier, the rolling, wooded landscape is dotted with serene lakes and offers a unique outdoor recreational experience of endless variety. Ice Age Reserve Visitor Center is open daily. (N1765 Hwy. G, Campbellsport 53010. Monday - Friday: 414/626-2116; Weekends: 920/533-8322) |
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| Long Lake: Long
Lake is a 3-mile long impoundment of the Watercress Creek. It is
the largest and the most popular of the Kettle Moraine Lakes. It
offers plentiful bluegills, crappie, perch, rock bass, walleyes and pike.
In summer this lake to abundant with water sport enthusiasts. Area
anglers estimate the bluegills could reach 7" this winter. Early
and late ice fishing for panfish should be excellent. Winter panfish
can be caught along the weed lines and in deep holes in vegetated flats.
Fish light lines with small dark-colored jigs tipped with small maggots
or golden grubs. Work your bait from high to low a few inches at
a time. Note where the most strikes occur. Pinpoint the strike
zone. Keep your hole filled with ice chips to reduce light penetration
and reduce shadows. Crappies are also present but are inactive at
midday. Fishing is better at twilight or during evening hours.
Crappies hold tight to the bottom and feed little during the day, but 1
hour after dark they suspend just under the ice and start feeding.
You may also want to set tip-ups because walleyes are available with respectable
size. Although not very abundant they average 17-19" in size.
Although Long Lake freezes well, currents are present so caution is advised.
Public access is available at the state park and numerous businesses along
highway 67.
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| Kettle Moraine Lake:
This
lake is the second largest of the Kettle lakes. Large numbers of
panfish and pike are the main draw. Recent surveys did not reveal
much in quality panfish but a tremendous population of bluegills and perch
are present. Crappies aren't abundant but average 7" to 8" and are
available up to 13.8". The key to these panfish is finding the open
pockets amid the deepest green weeds. Because of the clear water,
fishing during twilight hours with long ultralight rods, light line and
small jigs tipped with grubs or plastic strips dipped in fish scent is
recommended. Although not big, there is a huge population of pike,
averaging 17" to 21". These offer good action with your tip-up flags.
Walleyes are also present and run respectable in size, but are far and
few between. Again find flats with the deepest green weeds.
Ice formation is good but be cautious around the lakes aeration system.
Public access is available at Frank's on the Lake Resort on the east side.
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| Crooked Lake: This
medium-sized Northern Kettle lake offer numerous small perch, some nice
bluegills, crappies and pike, plus ample quantities of smaller specimens
caught in between. It is decent panfish lake but pressure of
anglers keep the numbers of larger panfish in check. It has the potential
to grow some nice bluegills and perch along with some crappies. First
and late ice are good for panfish. Fishing shallow vegetated flats
at twilight hours produces best. Sonar is important. When fish
are suspended, sit back away from the hole, use light line and small jogs,
and be quiet. It offers a fair pike population but few, if any walleyes.
Pike are taken by tip-ups in deep vegetated breaks. Crooked Lake
freezes well. The only public access is at the small bay off highway
SS. Caution is advised when traffic causes the ice to deteriorate
along the shore.
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| Mauthe Lake: Mauthe
Lake is a 78-acre empoundment of the East Branch of the Milwaukee River
right in the middle of the Kettle Moraine Stae Forest. The entire
shoreline is on state property with little development offering a remote
fishing experience. It offers fair numbers of panfish. Some
quality bluegills and crappies can be caught but many run small.
No motors are allowed in summer allowing these panfish to grow to respectable
size. For panfish, key in on the low vegetated flats during first
or late ice, especially the shallow point and its drop south of the Milwaukee
River outlet and the bay in front of the outlet. In midwinter target
the deeper weedlines lining the beach and steep vegetated break along the
north end. Use standard small jigs in dark colors like black, blue
or purple tipped with waxies, mousies or spikes. Such lures yie;d
a good take of panfish all winter. Plastic strips placed horizontally
on tiny micro jigs or no. 12 to 16 hooks are becoming popular. Some
30" pike are taken every seson despite the fishing pressure. The
26" limit has helped pike develop so more are available now then in the
past. Althoug first ice is best, action continues all winter.
Try deep weedlines along any sloping shoreline using tip-upd baited with
golden shiners or suckers. Occasionally walleyes are taken but not
regularly. Mauthe Lake freezes well, but caution is advised near
an outlet or inlet. No snowmobiles or ATVs are allowed. Public
access with paved parking is available at the state park.
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| Auburn Lake: Auburn
Lake is a reasonably sized lake with a diverse fishery and a great deal
of ice fishing opportunity. It is the most overlooked Kettle Lake
and most underfished for its potential. It offers fair numbers o
panfish and pike plus a stunted growth of yellow bass. Most fish
run small with some quality bluegills, crappies and pike taken each year.
Fishing vegetated flats and breaks at twilight hours is the key to success.
Drill holes when you arrive, then hole-hop until you find fish. Pike
are taken using big suckers on tip-ups near the outlet stream mouth and
the north end opposite the boat landing. A nice public access is
available off Youth Camp Road on the lake's east side.
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| Lake Seven: Lake
Seven is historically a tremendous bluegill lake. No motors are permitted
in summer. Fishing pressure is somewhat decreased allowing for decent
fish growth. The bluegill population has lowered but are now larger.
A local taxidermist has a 12" bluegill mounted. Some nice bluegills
are taken during the first ice. Lake Seven is relatively small, dishing
is a matter of fishing deeper pockets within shallow weedflats during first
ice then gradually moving to deeper vegetated breaks as the season progresses.
Midwinter look for fish suspended over deeper holes or near springs.
At late ice, check for panfish moving towards the deeper breaks adjoining
spawning flats. Try jigging smaller, flashy waxworm tipped jigs in
darker colors. tip-ups set with small goldens also take bass when
set along deeper breaks, especially during early and late ice. Lake
Seven freezes well. Public access is available along Maple Tree Road
on the northeast corner of the lake.
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| Lake Bernice: Lake
Bernice is out of the state forest but only a short drive away. Your
extra effort may be duly rewarded. It offers good panfish action
- not fish of large size, but a lot of action. Pike are also present,
although small, the potential for growth is there. The key to success
is moving to find pockets of deeper water in the shallow, weedy, dark-bottomed
lake. If you can't find natural openings, try drilling holes directly
into the weeds making your own pockets and returning in a few hours.
The results will surprise you. Bernice Lake freezes well but as it
is shallow and mud-bottomed, it is susceptible to easy ice deterioration
during warm, sunny periods and is quick to open at seasons end. Access
is available at the bridge on Lake Bernice Drive.
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| Forest Lake: While
small, Forest Lake offers ample opportunity -- if you can access the lake.
Public access is available off County SSS but it is unmarked and the entire
road is a non-paved downhill slope that causes problems for many anxious
anglers. Those willing to try will have their efforts rewarded.
Panfish growth is slow compared to the other lakes but good numbers of
sunfish and bluegills are present. Occasionally good crappies are
taken. Larger game fish. including pike, walleye and bas are "Catch
and Release" only. Some large pike have been taken through the ice.
Try large minnows on tip-ups Smaller minnows will take some pike,
walleyes and bass also. Just be sure to bring your camera.
Some nice fish have been caught here.
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| Butler Lake: Butler
Lake is the smallest of the easily accessible Kettle lakes. Most
fishing is for the lake's small but abundant perch and bluegills, although
some pike are present. As an added twist, Butler Lake is spring-fed.
Since the water remains cold and well oxygenated, it has received plantings
of stocked trout in the past. Just look for fish suspended over weedlines
and deep water. Public access is available on the northeast side
off Butler Lake Road.
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| So if this winter brings you near the northern neck of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. don't forget your ice fishing tackle. You might find that this area offers more quality fishing than most ice anglers realize. | ||||||||||
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