Here’s some great fishing hints for some of Wisconsin’s fish…

• Bluegill/Sunfish: In the spring/early summer, when the water is about 55° to 65° the male sunfish will be guarding their eggs or young. If you see dished out depressions in the shallow water this is probably a good place to fish. In the summer they like to hide by aquatic plants or other types of structures. Your best bet is to move to a new fishing spot if you don’t get any bites within 15 to 20 minutes.

• Walleye/Sauger: Walleye are a common fish that live in lakes and rivers. Saugers are a smaller relative of the walleye and live mostly in rivers. In lakes or rivers they live near drop-offs with vegetation or near sand gravel or rock shoals. The best times to catch walleyes are in the spring/early summer and in the fall. The easiest way to catch walleye and sauger is with live bait like minnows, night crawlers, and leeches. Walleye and sauger are sometimes found in schools, so when you catch one there may be more hungry fish near.

• Largemouth Bass: The best time to catch Largemouth bass is in the late spring as the water warms and they are on the move into the shallow waters. They are found in and around plant beds and near lily pads. They eat a wide variety of items including small fish, crayfish, and frogs.

To learn how to tie a Fisherman’s/Clinch Knot check out:
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/division/yow/knot.pdf

To learn more about the Angler Education Program check out:
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/fhp/fish/kidsparents/anglereducation/

To learn more about fishing and fishing clinics for kids check out:
www.county.milwaukee.gov/display/router.asp?docid=9141