To Fish or Not To Fish: Spring Walleye Fishing

Should I go? Should I not go?
To fish or not to fish: Spring walleye fishing on the Winnebago System Rivers

When spring fishing fever hits, it really hits. Ice has cleared out of our major rivers and you just want to get out there. I want to get out there too. And I have. And I’ve caught fish! And I’d love for you to join me.

I’m Dan Kirk, a fishing guide in Wisconsin. Mostly I fish on the Winnebago system. This time of the year is dedicated to fishing either the Wolf River and or the Fox River. The Fox River opens first so that is where I put the boat first. I fight the crowds but it’s no big deal. Everyone is used to that when spring fishing fever hits.

So back to my question. Should I go? Should I not go? Why wouldn’t I go?

It’s really all about safety. If the morning temps are above freezing then there won’t be ice on the launch. Ice on the launch is not something I want to deal with. Sure, a little salt goes a long way and I’ll have that and sand if necessary. But lately temps have been hitting the teens at night. That makes for a lot of possible ice on the ramp. And color me silly for not wanting to risk sinking my tow vehicle in the river or lake.

Now I don’t like to reschedule my clients days on the water but if the weather seems unsafe, then I must. I was supposed to take people out tomorrow the 3rd of April. We are supposed to get 5 to 8 inches of snow. Cooling temps in spring are also bad for the bite. And fishing is supposed to be fun! Snow, freezing rain, ice in the boat and on the ramp, NOT fun!

So what can you do? Keep an eye on the weather. Have options for dates to fish. If it’s mid thirties, sunny, and no wind, it will be pretty nice out there. If it’s 45F, cloudy, with winds 15-25 mph, it won’t be so nice out there. Unfortunately we can’t pick our weather but we can keep an eye on it. If we could pick the weather, I’d pick 68F, overcast and winds at 5 mph out of the SW.

So join me, Captain Kirk, on a fishing adventure. We’ll dress for the weather. And if things are going to be dangerous out there, we won’t go.

Captain Dan Kirk is a fishing guide in Wisconsin. He fishes the Winnebago system near Appleton, Wisconsin. He’d love for you to join him. He also enjoys taking people to Canada for an amazing memory making adventure. Check out his website: www.FishingGuideWisconsin.com.

When Dan isn’t fishing he’s performing across the country (mostly Midwest) as a comic juggler, stilt-walker, and mobile game show host. He’s married to Susan and they have a dog named Bobber. Plus they have three children.