Minocqua, Lac du Flambeau, St Germain, Boulder Junction, and Manitowish Waters Wisconsin open water and Ice Fishing Report

Wednesday 5/1/24

I'll post my fishing report for the OPENER tomorrow.  

Been lots of questions about this so here is an excerpt from VILAS COUNTY FISHING by Jeff van Remortal who puts to bed any rumors going around.

"There are still quite a few questions and misconceptions about The (MC) Minocqua Chain (Minocqua, Tomahawk, Kawaugesauga, Mid and connected waters) as we head into Opening weekend. PLEASE read the following.
YES the MC was harvested by Tribal Members this past week during Spring Spearing.
YES it was legal for Tribal Members to Harvest walleye on the MC, however, the original agreement of 10 years "no harvest" was not set to expire until 2025.
NO hook and line harvest will be allowed on MC this weekend (Opener) or until the proper legislation (in progress) is passed to lift the harvest moratorium
YES this triggers the emergency open rule and the MC may be open to hook and line harvest in 2024. The tentative date is July 4th, but as I understand it, that date could change pending when/if the legislation passes. There is a meeting May 2 at 930 am to discuss lifting the catch and release restrictions. The meeting will be available for public viewing on the DNR YouTube channel.
YES when/if legislation passes to open hook and line harvest on MC there will be a special management bag limit of 1 walleye per person between 18-22 inches or over 28 inches. This means all fish under 18 inches or between 22 and 28 inches must be released. Daily bag limit of 1 fish, in total, per person.
YES there is a chance the Catch and Release Rule on MC remains in place pending public input and written testimony via special management meeting May 2. You can register by 11AM today to comment. You can also watch on May 2nd on the DNR's YouTube channel. The meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 2nd.
Myself and many other area Bait Shop Owners and Guides have been flooded with questions asking about this topic. Please read the above and then read it again. Comments are welcome, but absolutely no derogatory, racial or other inappropriate remarks from either side will be permitted and will result in an immediate removal from group."

Thanks JVM.

I've started taking a few reservations for guiding this summer.  That always warms my bones.  Give a call and we'll get out and have some fun.  All the info is on the website at https://deweycatchemandhow.com/pages/northwoods-fishing-guide-service

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The shop is pretty much set up for open water tactics now.  A few new items and a whole bunch of your favorite tried and true items are hanging on the hooks waiting for you to pick up.

Right now for live bait we have Jumbo Panfish worms, Crawlers, Wax worms, White, Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow, Pink & Multi-colored Spikes, Crappie Minnows, Regular Fatheads, XL Fatheads, Mousees AND LEECHES!  

Our OPENER hours are:
Monday thru Thursday - 7am to 6pm
Friday - 7am to 10pm
Saturday - 4am to 5pm
Sunday - 5am to 5pm

We have to continue to squelch a few rumors.  The shop is still for sale.  Business is great but Linda and I are ready to ease into retirement.  WE ARE NOT GOING OUT OF BUSINESS!  If you have an interest in owning and operating the largest non-franchised bait shop in Wisconsin, call Jim Cheshire, Realtor, at 715-892-4223.

Jeff Bolander
Dewey, Catchem and How Bait Shop and Guide Post
715-892-2751 cell
www.DeweyCatchemAndHow.com