I’m planning on camping at Ottawa Lake State Park later this week and will be doing some kayak fishing. The first day I will probably just fish Ottawa lake, but can anyone recommend another nearby lake to spend the next day at? I’m driving from Chicago so nothing too far north of Ottawa Lake. I’m looking at maybe Beulah, School Section Lake, Phantom Lake, or Lauderdale Lakes. Open to anything but not too familiar with the fishing in this area. Wouldn’t be opposed to a river either but would need to be deep enough to accommodate a trolling motor on the kayak. Thanks!

Two weeks ago the Milwaukee River was full of salmon. I caught an 11 Lb Chinook. This week I went and nothing was going on, not even other fishermen in the river. Is the run over?

I love books. I like having a reference with me all the time. I look the feel of books when I'm sitting in my reading-chair. And I've just started fishing at 38 years old. I think being an old man with creeky joints and looking for peace and quiet away from my wife has brought me into this sweet spot.

All that to say - I want a good solid book to learn about fishing from. Trout salmon bass.... What's that other one.... Musky! I live in Kenosha by the PIKE River.

Please don't tell me to go to YouTube. Maybe other websites are ok. Just give me book recommendations!

Hows it going everyone! The Wife and I have decided to start our new life together back up with you guys in the beautiful state, Wisconsin. We are in the process of starting our family, and need some advice/help in picking a perfect area for our forever home! We both have ties to the north. I, myself lived in Belleville for a while when I was younger. Just too young to really remember the whole "moving" process, ya know? Some would argue that this move from Kansas is "reckless" or "silly", but we beg to differ. Looking back on the memories I have from my time living in Wisconsin as a kid, I remember so much about what the outdoors had to offer. I think what REALLY draws us back up that way would be how "rich" in culture some of your towns are, how vibrant the falls can be, and the outdoor recreation Wisconsin has to offer. We're avid outdoorsmen, so we'll have something to do year round. Trust me, we're excited! Moving from a small town setting here in Kansas, we would truly love the same up there. An area like Belleville, thats rich in culture, that has fishing and hunting opportunities nearby, and is in somewhat of a small-town setting would be perfect! We have a somewhat area in mind between the New Glarus Belleville Monticello area, but are open to other suggestions. Any and all help is beyond appreciated!(We’ve spent so many hours researching, some inside help is always appreciated!)

Has anyone fished Collins Marsh? I was headed through that area and saw some good looking water.

Did well today using Walleye Assassins 4in paddle tail shiner in their “Hammertime” color with burnt orange 3/8oz jig head. Pictured is the best fish of the day guesstimate just under 4lbs.

I am clueless as to where honey holes are. Past few times I went out to Sheboygan Falls I got skunked. I tried by New Jersey Ave bridge and missed a northern. I knew it was a northern by the ripples before I seen the fish. This past weekend I prematurely tried setting the hook in Kiel. Lost a fish. I mainly use plastics. I have gotten skunked on my "new" used dobyns champion xp and 22 curado k with super tune and upgraded boca bearings. I really need to catch a fish.

I've tried t rig, wacky, swim jig, reg jig. Nothing seems to be working.

Any spots/tips would be greatly appreciated. Anyone know where to go for bass in Manitowoc?

Was out fishing the Milwaukee River this past weekend when I caught a river redhorse on a set line. According to the DNR website, the river redhorse is a threatened species, so you are not permitted to keep it.

In these instances, what is the proper/legal handling of an endangered species? Are you allowed to pull it out of the water to get the hook out? Can you get a quick picture with it? All I could find on the DNR website was that you cannot keep it, but no other guidelines.

Any help is appreciated.

Anyone out there know how the conditions are? Hoping to fish it this weekend along with the dam in necedah

I'll be in the Madison area in a few weeks for the South Dakota- Wisconsin game and looking to catch some smallmouth and pike. Looking for some lake recommendations and I'll be fishing from shore or kayak. Appreciate any tips

Does anyone else feel that this year has been a down year for fishing, specifically shore fishing in WI?

I have been out the same or more as last year (4-5x per week) and in the same bodies of water as last year along with several new ones and I have caught only about 20% of what I caught last year.

We're up here for the weekend. I plan on taking my young daughter's fishing for the first time. Maybe some off shore stuff or pier fishing. Any tips would be helpful!

My friend and I are coming in from the west coast and would love get some fishing in. Are there any good ponds or decent river access points in the Milwaukee area? I saw Lakeshore Park on maps and it looks like a good spot if it's legal there.

I’ve tried searching through the DNR handbook, but I only have my phone and can’t find what I’m looking for. What lights do I need for my kayak and for my canoe after sunset to be legal? Extra points if you can give me a link to the part of the DNR site that lays this info out. Thanks!!

Hi all,

First Reddit post so hopefully I’m doing this correctly! I’m looking to get some shore fishing in, preferably at night. I’d specifically like to catch some panfish and/or catfish. I wish I had the money for a boat but shore fishing is my only option. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! For context, I’m located in Milwaukee but wouldn’t mind driving like an hour out, as I used to fish Tichigan with my uncle (when he had a boat!) when I was younger, and I’ve also hit Jefferson, with no luck the last 2 times I passed there.

Speaking of Tichigan, I used to hear there used to be a guy there who would rent out Jon boats from his property. I haven’t been out there in like a decade and I was still a kid at the time. Anyone know anything about this?

Again, any help is greatly appreciated!

We are here for the week at Pelican Lake. We are fishing all types of fish. So far have caught a smallie (blade bait) on a drop off and a northern (paddle bait) in Musky Bay. Looking for advice on tackle, spots, you name it. Any advice you can give. It's the last week of July here.

Im a kayak fisherman and have found relatively low fishing success, most northwoods lakes usually have more structure than weeds. Whats should i look for when finding a lake?

Hi all, my sister has gotten really into fishing over the last two years and I would love to spring for a Lake Michigan charter for her 40th birthday in late September. I was curious if late September or early October was still a good time to do this (selfishly I would love to get salmon or trout to smoke/cure, but it doesn't necessarily have to be those fish) or if I should buy one for the following spring and just gift it to her as a future fun time. Also, if you have a recommendation of a company to go with, please let me know! Anywhere within a 45 minute or so drive of Milwaukee would be great (or like... Port Washington to Kenosha roughly).

Any recommendations within about 30 minutes of greater Milwaukee? I know Estabrook Park and Grant Park are doable, but we’d like to get out of the area for a day. Looking mostly for bass and panfish. Currently considering Mukwonago River and the Fox. Any thoughts are appreciated!

Been coming to my wife’s family home up here in Minong on Lake Gilmore for the past 15 years …8-9 different families descend on this home every year at the same time and us dads have a half ass fishing contest…most fish and biggest fish…problem is, we barely catch anything…we catch tiny small mouth, some large mouth and some smaller northern…but nothing that has ever made any of us go WOW…this lake dead or are we just terrible? Tips? Tricks? Thanks!