4 minute read
Paddle Your Way To Angling Success
Zach Wood
Zach Wood is a public information officer in the DNR’s Office of Communications.
As the weather warms and the days get longer, hundreds of thousands of anglers will head to Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and streams.
Many will take to the water in large aluminum or fiberglass boats — undoubtedly fantastic rigs from which to fish — but anglers need not have the latest technologies or the biggest boats to find world-class fishing in Wisconsin. Anglers fishing from canoes or kayaks consistently catch fish across the state.
According to DNR fisheries biologist Max Wolter, some of the best fishing holes around are only accessible by paddle power.
“Some of the best fishing in Wisconsin happens on the rivers where bigger boats simply can’t go,” he said. “Especially once we get into the peak summer months, the bigger lakes fill up with fishing boats, water skiers, pontoons, etc. There’s a lot of action on those waters, and space can be limited.
“When that happens, the fishing can be tough. On the other hand, you can take your canoe or kayak to a river and be one of the only people out there.”
SMALL BOATS, BIG FISH
Fishing might even be better via paddlecraft, especially in the summer.
“By mid-summer, many of the fish in lakes, especially the bigger, deeper ones, will have moved into deeper, open water areas, making them much harder to catch,” Wolter said. “That doesn’t happen in the rivers, as they aren’t generally as deep, and the flowing water keeps them a little cooler throughout the summer, so the fish tend to stay in accessible areas yearround.
“You don’t need the electronics to find the action, just your canoe or kayak and gear.”
Despite their relatively small size, paddlecrafts are perfectly capable vessels for anglers looking to tangle with a trophy.
"Some of the biggest smallmouths we see each year come from anglers fishing the rivers from kayaks," Wolter said. "Nice walleyes and sauger are common catches as well, and paddlecraft anglers have some incredible battles with big musky every season.
“There’s something unique about battling a fish that can drag you around a bit.”
TIPS AND TRICKS
Thinking about casting a line from a kayak or canoe this season? Here are tips to consider before hitting the launch.
• Wear your U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times. Anything can happen out on the water, and your life jacket is useless in an emergency if you're not wearing it.
• If paddling down a river, remember you will need to get yourself and your gear back to where you started. Plan ahead by having a friend, a second car or a bicycle ready where you want to get out.
• Plan your route, including where you'll put in and take out, and review it on a map with satellite view (like Google Maps) so you can identify landmarks. Shorelines can start to look the same after a long day of paddling, and you want to avoid paddling past your ride back to your car.
• When fishing, remember that fish will be looking upstream for a meal to drift by. Make your casts accordingly.
• Pack carefully to avoid overloading your canoe or kayak with gear. It can be tempting to bring several rods and dozens of lures, but you lose room to maneuver with every item you add when fighting the fish of a lifetime.
• Make sure you have the equipment to land and release your catch safely. Remember a landing net, needle-nose pliers and a hook cutter.
LEARN MORE
For all you need to know about fishing in Wisconsin, visit dnr.wi.gov/topic/fishing.
