New to southern Wisconsin (Page 3): It was near Lodi on my buddy’s pier. We had just finished duck hunting and we’re about to pull the pier out for the season. I was waiting for him to...

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

just fishin 62 wrote:

Howdy any help would be appreciated. What was the location of the pier on the WI river? and what bait, lures, and lines do you use?

It was near Lodi on my buddy’s pier. We had just finished duck hunting and we’re about to pull the pier out for the season. I was waiting for him to put his dry suit on and I grabbed his Daughter’s POS spinning rod with a #7 jointed Shad Rap tied on with 6# test. The fish hit on the 3rd cast, then all hell broke loose!
There are quite a few piers to fish off near the Merrimac Ferry and you never know what may swim by.

JackM Loc: North East Florida

ghaynes1 wrote:

As a 50-plus year resident of WI before moving to TN, I think you are probably right. Hunting might be up there too but the Pack is #1 for cheeseheads.

My first real job was at Chrysler in Belvidere, IL. We had many employees from southern Wisconsin. Our absentee rates were way up at the start of deer season every year I worked there.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

JackM wrote:

My first real job was at Chrysler in Belvidere, IL. We had many employees from southern Wisconsin. Our absentee rates were way up at the start of deer season every year I worked there.

Rifle season starts the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Typically there are 700,000 of us out there every year. I believe we outnumber all but maybe 3 Armies in the world that week.

W-D45 Loc: North Central WI

Yes the Wisconsin River has it all! My daughter fishes Lake Sturgeon dinosaur tournaments!

W-D45 Loc: North Central WI

My deer season depends on stealth and the woods following their normal day to day activities. When the gun season starts, all my efforts are out the window!

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

W-D45 wrote:

Yes the Wisconsin River has it all! My daughter fishes Lake Sturgeon dinosaur tournaments!

That it does! Not sure if we have Paddlefish, but darn near every other freshwater fish that swims in North America is out there.

W-D45 Loc: North Central WI

Image of paddlefish wisconsin
Image of paddlefish wisconsin
Image of paddlefish wisconsin
OJ you asked for it. Here it is. You're awesome for naskin!

Paddlefish Wisconsin
The paddlefish is one of a large number of rare aquatic organisms that inhabit the Lower Wisconsin River. ... A big river species found mostly in the lower stretches of the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St Croix Rivers, and in the Mississippi River.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

W-D45 wrote:

Image of paddlefish wisconsin
Image of paddlefish wisconsin
Image of paddlefish wisconsin
OJ you asked for it. Here it is. You're awesome for naskin!

Paddlefish Wisconsin
The paddlefish is one of a large number of rare aquatic organisms that inhabit the Lower Wisconsin River. ... A big river species found mostly in the lower stretches of the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St Croix Rivers, and in the Mississippi River.

Now I know, thanks! I knew they are in the Missouri River, so why not the WI? I heard they are delicious…

W-D45 Loc: North Central WI

I've never tasted em. Like big muskies, sturgeon are mostly catch n release. Soo... here is probly more than you wanted to know. They grow very slowly. They really are dinosaurs. There is a spearing season that is embraced by indigenous wisconsonites.

The largest sturgeon ever brought in with a rod and reel on Wisconsin waters was a 170.5 pound sturgeon caught on Yellow Lake by John J. Procai on September 22, 1979. The approximately 100 year old sturgeon was 79 inches in length with a 39 inch girth.

I like to fish for bass and crappies cause I like to eat 'em.

The guide service that I rent a pontoon from every year says "anybody that likes to eat bass can't catch walleyes!" Ha!

Is he right???

W-D45 Loc: North Central WI

BTW paddlefish are a protected species in Wisconsin.

Paddlefish

A big river species found mostly in the lower stretches of the Wisconsin, Chippewa, and St Croix Rivers, and in the Mississippi River.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

W-D45 wrote:

I've never tasted em. Like big muskies, sturgeon a... (show quote)

I have no interest in killing a sturgeon. I caught one when I was a kid. It must have been hit by a motor as it had a wound on its back, near the tail. It was about 36” and I released it as it could still swim.
I would prefer to eat crappies, walleyes, perch and bluegills, but I have only recently discovered how good smallies are to eat. They are a blast to catch, but tasty, too. I always let them go in the past, but I figure they eat the same stuff as the others, so why not try them? My Son and I caught some keepers so we tried them. After the first bite, the look I got was priceless and I had to apologize for making him release all those we caught in the past 🤦🏼‍♂️
If they come out of clean, cold water…they will taste great…but, don’t tell anybody 😂