By Brian Brecka “While many of our higher quali- ty bass fisheries are smaller in ALMA - While longtime Depart- size and don’t reach national ment of Natural Resources fisher- notoriety, waterbodies such as ies biologist Brian Brecka takes Sturgeon Bay and the Mississip- pride in being a multispecies an- pi River are consistently highly gler, he typically finds time to ranked as top bass fisheries in catch a bass or two on each of his the nation.” angling outings. One more reason bass are boss “Wisconsin boasts largemouth and are their accessibility from the smallmouth bass fisheries that are shore. passionately supported by droves of today’s anglers,” says Brecka, “If you're thinking you can't fish Get the Scoop on Smallies bass without a fancy boat and a who has been stationed along the dozen rods, think again,” he Mississippi River since 1992. Scientific name: Micropterus dolo- says. “They can be caught from mieu (Micropterus means "small fin"; A recent Wisconsin angler diary shore, by wading, by canoe or dolomieu was named after M. Dolo- study found bass fishing to be sim- kayak, or from a float tube or mieu, a French mineralogist. ilar in popularity compared to wall- your grandfather's 14-foot flat eye fishing during the spring and bottom boat.” Distribution: Occurs in all three summer months. The study found only panfishing, the pursuit of No matter how you plan to fish, drainage basins in Wisconsin (Lake bluegill, crappie and perch, to be Brecka shares his bass fishing Michigan, Mississippi River, and Lake Superior). more popular during the May- basics, updated from a 2002 September period. Wisconsin Natural Resources article written with Ken Snow. Spawning: Usually occurs at water “There’s good reason for the pop- temperatures between 62 - 64º F, but He encourages anglers to learn- ularity of largemouth and small- they have been found spawning at ing more about bass life history, mouth bass,” Brecka says. Buck- 53º F. In southern Wisconsin, small- behavior, seasonal movements etmouths and smallies together mouth spawn from mid-May through and fishing patterns to increase are the most widely distributed June (water temperatures between their chances of success. “But recreational fish in the state – 55 - 75º F). The male may build sev- book learning cannot replace the found within inland lakes, cool and eral "practice nests." The nest is usu- benefits of spending time on the warmwater streams, large rivers, ally a large, perfectly circular, clean water "reading" the situation, and the Great Lakes. gravel structure. The male bass pro- adapting to changing conditions, tects the nest against intruders. “No matter where you live in Wis- getting in tune with your quarry consin, you're within a short drive and enjoying some time out- ID tips: Mouth extends to middle or of quality bass fishing,” he says. doors,” he says. back of eye but not beyond; Solid col- or, dark mottling, or 9-16 diffuse verti- For a line on places to fish for cal bars in adults; distinct vertical bass, check out the Wisconsin bars with tail yellow-orange with dark Fishing Report forecasts for margin in young of year. largemouth bass and small- mouth bass. Don't be surprised if the bass strikes at the frog but misses it. Just cast Surface back to that same spot. Many times, the bass will strike again. lures Buzzbaits are surface lures that have at least one rotating blade that DESCRIPTION: Surface lures, also provide continual turbulence when called "topwaters," float on the sur- retrieved. The lures have silicone face and cause a disturbance that skirts and one upright hook at the bass can see or hear. The fish also rear. Although not weedless, they sense the lures' vibrations through can be retrieved through open water their lateral line. Lure types in this vegetation such as lily pads and category include poppers, frogs and across logs. You need a continual buzzbaits. retrieve to keep the blade rotating. Vary your retrieve speed to find TECHNIQUES AND TIPS: A pop- what stimulates bass strikes. per is the perfect lure to cause sur- Buzzbait size, color and style may face commotion that stimulates also influence your success. Land- strikes. The front has a concave ing percentage for buzzbait bass is cupped face that "spits" water when usually high. Set the hook shortly moved, sending sounds and vibra- Above: Brilyn Brecka has mastered her after seeing the strike. tions of struggling prey. The pop- father’s bass fishing techniques. Below: A per's color and size is often plastic frog bait and a slow, steady retrieve LOCATIONS: Surface lures are matched to imitate bait fish. A short can work well. most productive in shallow water six jerk of the rod moves the lure from feet and less. In general, as water a few inches to a foot or more. clarity increases, so does the depth Don't continually reel-in during the where surface lures are effective. retrieve, but pause between jerks. Cover such as stumps, logs, vegeta- tion or boat docks are likely areas to Reel up the slack line, then attain a concentrate your efforts. When fish- rhythm on your retrieve to stimulate ing rivers, shallow waters where the strikes. Jerk-jerk-pause, jerk-jerk- current breaks can also hold fish. pause is a good rhythm to start your fishing day. We find most BEST FISHING TIMES: Dawn and strikes occur during the pause dusk are both excellent times to fish phase. surface lures. However, other times can be productive as well. Cloudy Vary the pause duration from less days can produce popper or than one second to five seconds or buzzbait bass anytime. Frogs are more. Experiment with the rhythm, A slow and steady retrieve works often most effective during midday and the bass will tell you if you're well, but an erratic presentation on sunny days. providing what they want. may also produce fish. If your frog ROD, REEL AND LINE: In open Strikes can be aggressive, and for lure comes to an opening, stop water weedline areas, try a spinning many anglers there's nothing better and give it a few tantalizing twitch- or baitcasting reel paired with a than watching their lure being at- es. medium heavy action rod. Monofila- tacked. If a fish has your lure, it When bass strike a frog, there is ment line from 10- to 15-pound test soon provides pressure to your rod. no doubt you've been bit – the fish will work. As you progress deeper When you feel it, set the hook. Pop- explodes through the canopy. into the cover, use slightly heavier pers have treble hooks that provide Less experienced anglers (and line. You may also find you need to a good hook-up percentage. even experienced ones) may be try heavier braided line of the 30- to Another surface lure that's worth startled by the force of that strike, 50-pound test in thicker vegetation trying is a rubber or plastic frog. and they instinctively jerk the lure and woody cover. Frog imitations are fished across lily away from the fish. We've seen pads or in a canopy of duckweed. this many times when fishing with They are designed to skirt and hop first-time froggers. To ensure the across thick overhead cover without bass inhales the lure, wait one or hanging up in the vegetation. Bass two seconds. Tighten your slack rely on their lateral lines to detect line, then set the hook. the lure's vibration. Spinner baits DESCRIPTION: Spinnerbaits are easy to use and they find fish quickly. The two traditional types are the in- line spinnerbait and the safety pin style spinnerbait. The inline has a spinner blade in direct line with a weighted body and a treble hook that is usually tied with hair. Examples include the Panther Martin and the Rooster Tail. Safety pin style spin- nerbaits have a blade or blades di- rectly over a single hook and are usually dressed with a silicone or rubber skirt. TECHNIQUES AND TIPS: Retrieve inline spinnerbaits fast and don't al- low the lure to sink more than a few inches below the surface. Try this "burning" fast retrieve around fallen logs, brush or rock that are often fa- Bucketmouth Basics vorite smallmouth bass hangouts in northern Wisconsin lakes. LOCATIONS: Although we've seen Scientific name: Micropterus fish come from depths of 20 feet or salmoides (Micropterus means The safety pin style spinnerbait can more to smash a burned spinner- "small fin"; salmoides means "trout- be fished just about anywhere. It can bait, most cover that holds these like" in gameness and food). be retrieved through vegetation, fish will be less than six feet deep. brush and fallen logs. To trigger You can quickly cover long shore- Distribution: Occurs in all three strikes, let the lure make contact with line stretches or island perimeters drainage basins in Wisconsin (Lake the cover, then give it a small jerk with these baits. Michigan, Mississippi River, and and a fast retrieve, a so-called "bump Lake Superior). Wisconsin is near and run" presentation. BEST FISHING TIMES: the northern limit of distribution; it Spinnerbaits are a great choice dur- has been suggested that its pres- ing the early morning hours, on ence here, especially in northern cloudy days or after dark. However, counties, resulted from introduc- don't be afraid to try them at other tions. times as well. ROD, REEL AND LINE: For inline Spawning: Occurs from late April to spinnerbaits, try a spinning reel early July. The selection of nest matched with a medium action rod.