Opening Day, fishermen found an awesome day, sunny skies and light winds!

The boat ramps were not as busy as in past years. The water temp is approximately 5 degrees colder than last year.  Fishing should be improving as the water warms and the bass become closer to spawning.

The best action was small mouth bass.  The fish this time of year are suspending on the outside of drop offs, close to their spawning flats.  The bass are chasing the pods of shiners.  Most of the fish are being taken on small minnows fished on either a small split shot rig or a slip bobber with a single hook.  Another good method is swimming a small grub at varying depths in the water columns.  I prefer smoke colored or a light green.  The best locations were by Elgin Club or by the Military Academy.

Largemouth bass can be caught in Trinkes both in the harbor and outside the weed flat.  Most of the fish were caught on night crawlers with a single hook with a split shot.  This fishing was pretty slow.  Another good location for Opening Day and the first few weeks of May is the Abbey Harbor, fish around the boat docks in 3-4 ft of water.

Northern Pike are cruising the weed flats in 6-8 ft of water.  The best locations are in Fontana Beach or in Williams Bay.  Fish the northerns with golden shiners and slip bobbers for best results.

Perch are being caught in 6-8 ft. of water around the shallow weeds.  Due to the cool water temps the fish are still shallow, normally by this time of year they are starting to move deeper.  The best location is by Knollwood or Rainbow Point.  The fish are being taken on small minnows or leaf worms fished beneath a bobber.

Walleye fishing has been awesome casting or trolling stick baits in the shallows.  Best locations Maytag Point and Buttons Bay.

Fishing is still slow; the report will cover other species once they become active.  For guide parties, please call Dave Duwe at 262-728-8063