Regional Fishing Advice - Midwest - specifically, Wisconsin

I was just wondering if there were any videos or oppotunities to ask someone about advice on bass fishing in Central to Northern Wisconsin. Things like techniques that work better than others, lure colors, lure size, types of baitfish to match, best lures (for pre-spawn, spawn, post spawn, summer, fall, fall transition, winter), and any other tips that would be helpful.

January 7, 2021 07:39:14 PM
DrewFlu33 - graduate

I'm fairly new to BassU and I'm certainly no expert, but as a Minnesotan that fishes a lot of the same type of things you're fishing, I have found that watching videos from guys who are generally from our part of the country is super, super helpful. We don't have shad in a lot of our bodies of water, and we're not usually fishing reservoirs or other large impoundments like a lot of our bass fishing breathren across the country just to use a couple examples. Seth Feider is one pro that comes to mind right away as being someone that is super helpful for Upper Midwest type stuff. Chad Pipkens, Jamie Hartman, and the VanDams are other pros that are from generally our neck of the woods and guys that I've picked up some good advice from.

One other generic piece of advice that someone gave me as a transplant to the area is that for our largemouth, it's (almost) always about the bluegill. Find the bluegill, find the bass, and if you're looking for baitfish to imitate, that should be your first, second, and third choice before trying anything else. Smallmouth are a tougher nut to crack, but one big thing that I've noticed about the fish here vs. the smallmouth I grew up chasing on the east coast is that they are often following the perch around.

January 20, 2021 02:23:16 PM
The Dean - professor

Great advice DrewFlu33. Seth Feider is also from that area, Minnesota. He teaches a great seminar on fishing milfoil as well as a bunch of smallmouth seminars. I have only fished the Mississippi River in the LaCross area. That river is full of largemouth and smallies and is a shallow water anglers paradise. Frogs, jigs, chatterbaits, and flipping are always a good bet. There is no better tool than a Senko on most of that shallow habitat.

https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/flipping-milfoil-spring-summer-fall-seth-feider

January 26, 2021 04:00:03 PM
DrewFlu33 - graduate

Feider was the first one I mentioned, Pete! LOL

February 1, 2021 02:26:03 PM
DieselDood - graduate

Charles, I'm from southern MN, and I have noticed this as well. So many things that I tried to apply last year just didn't work out, probably because our fish act slightly different. Drew is spot on with the bluegill from what I've seen. I don't think our fish school up like they talk about down south. I've only found max of 4 smallies in one place and 3 largies.

I think our issue is there is so much good cover for them, they roam more and are more lone wolf type. The guys around me that have done will are covering a LOT of water. They find if they are on the inside or outside weed line and then run that with the trolling motor cranked up.

I could be wrong, but that's just what I've noticed in the last year.

February 16, 2021 08:34:59 PM
Brent - doctor

I fish central Wisconsin, mainly during May. I agree that there is so much cover and many transition areas as well as seasonal staging it is a "cover water" scenario more than any type of schooling fish. However, if you are in shallow areas, always watch the water for bluegill and other baitfish popping or disturbing the water. Many times, I've pulled into those areas, seen the activity and then run a squarebill or chatter through the area and pick up nice bass consistently.

March 3, 2021 11:11:22 AM

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