Dave Dorazio

One thing you can say about spring weather in northern Wisconsin is that it's generally interesting. I'm sure you've heard this one: "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes - it'll change." I'm convinced that adage was spawned after a month like ours are often in May.

May's "interesting" weather makes fishing the Chippewa Flowage a challenge. It isn't so much a case of the fish having lockjaw, as it is of the weather affecting their locations and mood. It is a textbook example of good fishing for anglers who are will ing to adapt and adjust, and tougher fishing for anglers who "fish memories."

When there is a late ice-out, lots of overcast skies and rain, resulting in high water levels, weed growth on the Chip is sparse and scattered. Since fresh, green weeds are one of the prime locations for spring walleyes, anglers who are willing to cover a lot of water are able to score on decent numbers of quality fish.

I found the best strategy is to leave the anchor in the boat and use the trolling to keep moving and work the weed edges. An orange or chartreuse 1/8-ounce jig with a fathead is the bait of choice for walleyes during bright conditions. On overcast days and evenings, the walleyes become more active. This is the time to quickly cover a lot of water with crankbaits. Rapalas, both the No. 13 floater and the No. 9 countdown, in gold, orange, or firetiger patterns, often produce many of our better walleyes.

Last spring was one of the best for numbers of walleyes in the 20- to 24-inch range. Panfish anglers can find crappies and bluegills in the shallows, sometimes in less than two feet of water. The panfish are generally keying on wood cover. Minnows seem to work best for the crappies, while the `gills prefer worms. Use small plastic or marabou jigs, which appeal to both species.

After spawning, panfish will vacate the shallows. Some will then relate to the weeds, while many, particularly crappies, will move to deeper water and wood cover. By mid June, most of the 2400+ cribs put in the lake by the homeowners and resort associations will hold significant numbers of crappies.

On the Chip, walleyes will continue to use the weeds during the month of June; Generally, their menu preference switches from minnows to leeches and crawlers as the water warms. While some walleyes will remain in the weeds all summer, the weeds can become nearly impossible to fish, as they grow taller and denser. Fortunately, the Chip has a good population of walleyes that use deeper water. River channels, wood snags and sunken bogs in 15 to 25 feet all produce summer walleyes. These deeper fish also seem less affected by poor weather conditions than weed fish.

The best news is that during the month of June, the musky fishing just keeps getting better. As the weeds mature, most of the catchable muskies will relate to the weeds. As the water warms, the muskies become more active. It's a no-brainer; target the thickest beds of fresh, green weeds using bucktails and surface lures. Bucktails with large, Colorado blades in fluorescent colors, particularly lime green, are top producers. Surface baits such as Top Raiders, Hawg Wobblers, and Creepers worked over the weeds, will generate heart-stopping action. By the time water temps reach the upper 60s, evening and night muskie fishing will become prime.

Don't miss out on a chance to fish the Chippewa Flowage in June. Whether you are after panfish, walleyes, or muskies, June on the Chip is the right place at the right time.