Despite above average rainfall and some cooler temperatures, muskies have been quite active in the Wausau area with big fish having been caught and released as of late including a stocky 50 ¼" specimen. Bucktails have continued to produce action from both muskies and pike with bright/dark contrasting colors seeming to produce best. With the increased current from recent rainfall, look for current breaks and eddies and fish these spots thoroughly. Deeper diving jerkbaits and rubber baits have also worked well, especially those in the mid-sized range. Backwater areas have held a decent surface bait bite in the early and late periods of the day with prop style baits continuing to produce the most consistent action.
Anglers looking to score on feisty smallmouth bass should also look to downed timber or shallow rocky areas, especially those adjacent to main channel flows. The Wausau area holds an excellent population of smallmouth bass with fish over the 20" mark available. Popper style surface baits have worked well during low-light periods and provide exciting action from aggressive bass. Plastic presentations such as tubes in the 3"-4" range are working well when fished around and through the wood. A longer stouter rod and heavier line is recommended in aiding to leverage these big smallmouths from their close quarters.
Channel catfish are being caught with regularity below many of the local dams and tail waters both by anglers targeting other species as well as those looking to tangle with this whiskered fighter. Search the upper ends of holes to locate the most active cats and fish them with fresh cut bait on a three-way or slip sinker rig.
Walleye action remains steady with numbers of legal walleyes including some beautiful slot fish (20"-28") continuing to show up on a regular basis. As in weeks past, current breaks created by irregularities in the river channel as well as stumps, logs, and blow-downs are all holding fish. Jig and plastic or jig and live bait combinations are working well when fishing these spots. Anglers are also scoring on walleyes by casting crankbaits along the shallow rocks and wood of the Wisconsin River and its flowages. Look for brighter colors to continue to produce fish, even during mid-day hours. Summer is here and it's a great time to fish! I'll see you on the water…
