Fishing Reports by Guide Joel Ballweg
About The Author:
Company: Ballweg's Guide Service
Area Reporting: Lake Wisconsin, near Madison, Wisconsin
Bio: Hi, my name is Joel "Boog" Ballweg and I run professionally guided fishing trips primarily on Lake Wisconsin. I am a life long resident of this area and grew up fishing Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin river. Ballweg's Guide Service was started in 2003 and has grown every year since. Lake Wisconsin offers excellent fishing for walleye, sauger, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegills and white bass. We target walleye, crappie, bluegill and white bass. On average, I will spend between 75-100 days fishing on Lake Wisconsin and the Wisconsin river each year. Lake Wisconsin covers approximately 9000 surface acres and it is the furthest down stream reservoir on the Wisconsin River system. It is located about 30 miles north of Madison, Wisconsin. A strong network of local anglers and several other local fishing guides is an added benefit of growing up in this area. These guys know whats going on out on the water and sharing information helps all of us stay on top of the latest action. In addition, if you have a large group of anglers, we can arrange with the other local guides to accomadate you.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The fall sauger & walleye bite on Lake Wisconsin did improve considerably last week. We actually had some very good days on the water for numbers of fished mixed in with several other days that were not necessarily great for numbers but good for big fish.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Even though the fall walleye & sauger bite remains below par for this time of the year, you can still put some decent fish in the boat if you're willing to work at it.
[Wisconsin River,WI] October walleye & sauger fishing on Lake Wisconsin seems to run hot & cold. Some years it's really good and other years, not so good. This year is running mostly in the not so good category and because of that, I'm hearing plenty of regulars wondering out loud about why that is.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The fall walleye & sauger bite continues to be a work in progress. As of this past weekend, the bite was slightly better than the previous two weeks of October but not even close to where we hope to see it in another week or two. There are fish willing to bite if you're willing to put in some work finding them and working through several different presentations in order to trigger them.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The screwy weather we had in September definitely had an effect on fishing here on Lake Wisconsin. Overly warm weather kept the crappies from setting up in there usual fall patterns and my fall fishing success suffered because of it. We did get on some crappies, but nothing like a normal September of the past.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The walleye & sauger bite here on Lake Wisconsin is continuing to improve as we slip further into the month of June, which is normally our best month of the year for catching numbers of walleyes & saugers.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The early summer trolling bite on Lake Wisconsin continues to improve. What we really need to get it going full swing though is some consistent, warm weather.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Overall numbers of walleyes caught per trip are going down but we are still managing to put some pretty big ones in the boat. Not on every trip but often enough to keep it interesting.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Lake Wisconsin has continued to put out some very nice fish for us this past week. The walleyes have slowed down a little bit some other species are showing up in place of them. Other than walleyes & saugers, pike, catfish and crappies are the most common.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Whats that saying you always hear about fishing under clear bluebird skies? I always hear the same thing about fishing in strong east winds. Today we had both and the fish didn't seem to notice. The bite was excellent!
[Wisconsin River,WI] With the walleyes & saugers going on an absolute tear lately, I've had a hard time finding the time to sit down and write up a report. The bite was especially hot this past Sunday moring when Tim Roebens & I put twenty four walleyes & saugers in the boat, plus one 32" northern & five big crappies.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The walleye & sauger fishing on Lake Wisconsin is still hot! On an average five hour trip, we have been boating approximately twenty five walleyes & saugers ranging in size from 14-23" long.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Went out this past Monday (5-11-09) with a group of guys in search of more big walleyes. We found some of those but we also ended up with a pretty decent mixed bag of fish also.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The big walleyes are still biting here on Lake Wisconsin. Saturday was a bit slower for us but on Sunday, (5-10-09) we were back on them once again. Trolling crankbaits was the ticket once again.
[Wisconsin River,WI] With the bite being super good lately, my wife Nancy & I both took a day off work to enjoy some time in the boat together this past Tuesday. Turned out to be another great day on the water with 20 walleyes & saugers coming in the boat.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Mark Webb jumped aboard my boat last Saturday. He gave himself this guided fishing trip for his 48th birthday. Turned out to be one of his best birthdays ever. The walleyes bit from the time we started fishing until we quit five hours later.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The past ten days of walleye fishing on Lake Wisconsin have been like none other that I have experienced anywhere on earth. Back in 2003 the new slot limit regulations on Lake Wisconsin took effect and now, not only are we seeing & enjoying the benefits of those limits but we are also just beginning to see the potential that Lake Wisconsins walleyes have always possessed.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Whenever I or a client has popped a big walleye in the past, I always try to get out and hit the area again. Many times it will pay off with another good one. That has been driving me nuts this week at work.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Post spawn walleyes continue to filter down into Lake Wisconsin. We have not been finding large numbers of fish but the ones we have crossed paths with are pretty nice fish. On an average outing of four hours, we'll catch one or two small walleyes, a couple more eaters in that 15-20" range and a couple more over 20" long. Its not fast and furious yet, but it does seem to be getting better all the time. Get ready though, cause the best bite of the year is just around the corner.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Overall, the bite was down right poor this past weekend. Didn't matter for us whether we were targeting crappies or walleyes. We had a rough time of it for both species. Just a week early and a little to cold yet.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The first week or two of April is kind of like the peek of our spring night fishing season. The walleyes are reaching the point where they can & will spawn at anytime, and by the end of the week, that's exactly what they were doing.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Have you ever caught a decent size muskie in less than two feet of water on your favorite walleye rod? That is becoming quite common on many of our night fishing adventures. They can definitely make the water around them boil as they thrash & roll in there efforts to free themselves.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The spring walleye on the Wisconsin river below the Dells dam is getting real close to peaking. Surface water temps are running anywhere from 39 to 41 degrees and plenty of females walleyes are around. The bite can still be hot or cold but if you work at it, you can still connect often enough to make it worth while even on the tough days.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Wisconsin Dells is well known for its spring walleye fishing. The river itself isn't all that big and because almost other waters in this area are still locked up under ice, this is one of the few places in Wisconsin where people can launch a boat and shake off the effects of a long winter. Because of that, it can and will at times, get pretty crowded on the river.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Ten to 15 years ago, I used to spend a lot of time night fishing along the banks of the Wisconsin river. On a good night, a pair of warm, insulated neoprene waders, a headlamp, St Croix rod & a small box full of lures was all a guy needed to get in on all the action you could want. Last week I dug out all my night fishing equipment and put them to use once again. Along the way, I found out that some things have changed along side the banks of the Wisconsin river.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The last open water fishing day of the season were reserved for fishing with brothers & nephews who were in town for the Thanksgiving day family gathering and for my niece Miranda's wedding.
[Wisconsin River,WI] My brother Chuck and I spent the day fishing on Lake Wisconsin again today prior to the family gathering for Thanksgiving day fixings. Fishing was slower today but the size of our fish more than made up for the lack of numbers.
[Wisconsin River,WI] I saved the last few days of the season for family who were in town for the Thanksgiving day gathering. Chuck shared the boat with me today and we had ourselves a pretty good day on the water
[Wisconsin River,WI] We had to break ice with the boat again this morning. Once we got to to the area where we wanted to fish though, it turned out to be well worth any extra effort brought on by cold weather.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Overnight temperatures are cold enough to put a half inch layer of ice on the surface of the lake. More than likely, we are looking at our last week of open water fishing here on Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Late fall walleyes & sauger fishing can mean fishing in cold, windy weather. Making sure your dressed properly can make a huge difference in whether you have an enjoyable experience or not.
[Wisconsin River,WI] We are right in the middle of some of the best fall fishing to be had here on Lake Wisconsin. If we are lucky, we'll get another two weeks of fishing in before things start to ice up, ending the open water season for the year.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The weather may be cold but the walleye & sauger fishing is heating here on Lake Wisconsin. Those who are brave enough to venture out can find some nice rewards for doing so.
[Wisconsin River,WI] We're just getting into the best part of our late fall fishing for walleyes & saugers here on Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Today was the first day that we left the crappies behind and concentrated solely on catching walleyes & saugers. It took some work but turned out pretty well in the end.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Plenty of good sauger & walleye fishing remains to be had here on Lake Wisconsin before the surface water turns to ice and ends our season for the year.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Fishing remains good here on Lake Wisconsin. We are currently right in the middle some of the best walleye & sauger fishing of the year.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Early November generally means hunting season for most outdoorsman here in Wisconsin. But for those of us who are not yet ready to put our boat away, it means walleye fishing!
[Wisconsin River,WI] The end of October is a great time of the year to go fishing for walleyes & saugers here on Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Trolling crankbaits again proved to be a very good way to catch some really nice walleyes & saugers here on beautiful Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Many of us look forward to the day when a trophy fish decides to take our ultra lite fishing rod way past its intended use. Most of the time, that story ends up being a sad one about the "Big one" that got away.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Fall fishing is just around the corner and we are beginning to see some dandy crappies come over the side of the boat along with it. Recreational boat traffic has been decreasing dramatically and those of us who don't hunt are taking advantage of the excellent fishing opportunities that exist here on Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] The crappies fishing on Lake Wisconsin has been very, very good so far. We are seeing lots of 3 to 4 year old fish in the mix. So far, the late summer crappie fishing season is shaping up to be a good one.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Every year from late August through all of September, we target crappies on Lake Wisconsin. The fishing usually starts with a mix of crappie, bluegills, whitebass and numerous other fish. As the onset of fall continues, the fishing usually just keeps getting better and better.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Labor Day weekend is typically pretty good for crappie fishing here on Lake Wisconsin and this year was no exception to that rule.
[Wisconsin River,WI] How big was the first walleye or sauger that you ever caught? The first walleye ten year Andrew Allen ever caught was 29" long and the first sauger he ever caught was 22" long! Both were caught right here on Lake Wisconsin!
[Wisconsin River,WI] Anyone know how to make a 6'9" ex-UW Badger offensive lineman with two Rose bowl rings squeal like a little girl?
[Wisconsin River,WI] Memorial Day weekend has come and gone. Fishing on Lake Wisconsin wasn't a numbers game but the quality sure was impressive.
[Wisconsin River,WI] You have an excellent chance of connecting with a big walleye when fishing for late spring or early summer walleyes here on Lake Wisconsin.
[Wisconsin River,WI] Early summer is a great time to experience fishing on Lake Wisconsin. You never know what your going to end up catching while trolling for walleyes.