|
|
Posts: 3
| A Happy Monday to All -
Heading up to Vilas County, WI to chase whales during the Cisco spawn for the first time. Not looking for specific lakes/spots but am very interested in advice from those of you who have done this type of fishing before. Any kind of wisdom that you could pass along would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your time! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Marty, I'm also curious given the wierd weather this fall, when do you think they will spawn this year....experts usually suggest a full moon period. Will you wait until late November? I like this topic alot. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | eagles eat ciscoes ... look for the trees they are standing in during the late evenings. loon activity too ... birds are smart. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | I can be found feeding on S kyview prime rib around the same time. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 682
Location: Sycamore, IL | I'm heading up Thursday through Sunday...will ciscos be staging for the spawn yet or is it too early? I heard that they like to spawn over a gravel/ sand bottom. If a lake is mostly or all gravel/sand bottom where will they be setting up at? Is there a depth associated with the spawn? Is there still an open water bite this time of year or should I concentrate on steep breaking shore lines? I'm fishing solo and would like to shorten the learning curve. Thanks! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | you can net ciscoes in a foot or two of water ... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 285
Location: NE Wisconsin | Far from an expert, but have fished the spawn quite q bit. They seem to spawn when water temps near 41 degrees or less. I fished a 20' deep lake Sunday and water was 51. Ciscoe lakes are generally much deeper and deeper lakes cool slower, so I am guessing water temps on these lakes is higher. Too early yet, from may experience. The window of actual spawning is usually short, but when you hit it, WOW! Think water temps. Nearer to 40 the better!!!! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | they'll stage in piles off the spawning areas too and will be concentrated ... find em and fish them like they are their own structure.
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | How do you know if a lake has Ciscoes in it? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Google ...
http://roundlakes.org/PDF/150218Summary%20of%20the%20Wisconsin%20DN... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Thank you jon. That is some very valuable information. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | jonnysled - 10/26/2015 5:23 PM
you can net ciscoes in a foot or two of water ...
Are they hearty? In other words, if a guy could net a few, will they hold up if you chose to use them as bait in that particular body of water? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Johnnie - 10/26/2015 6:42 PM
Far from an expert, but have fished the spawn quite q bit. They seem to spawn when water temps near 41 degrees or less. I fished a 20' deep lake Sunday and water was 51. Ciscoe lakes are generally much deeper and deeper lakes cool slower, so I am guessing water temps on these lakes is higher. Too early yet, from may experience. The window of actual spawning is usually short, but when you hit it, WOW! Think water temps. Nearer to 40 the better!!!!
Thanks...so we would be a few weeks away from that yet? Sounds like just before early ice.
So that November full moon period might be a target, give or take a few days either side? I think that's too cold out for my liking. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Mark Hoerich - 10/27/2015 8:30 AM
jonnysled - 10/26/2015 5:23 PM
you can net ciscoes in a foot or two of water ...
Are they hearty? In other words, if a guy could net a few, will they hold up if you chose to use them as bait in that particular body of water?
they will "play dead" in your livewell but they can be usable for sure. i used to cut their heads off and use a big hair jig with a trailer hook but you can quick strike rig them. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Mark Hoerich - 10/27/2015 8:34 AM
Johnnie - 10/26/2015 6:42 PM
Far from an expert, but have fished the spawn quite q bit. They seem to spawn when water temps near 41 degrees or less. I fished a 20' deep lake Sunday and water was 51. Ciscoe lakes are generally much deeper and deeper lakes cool slower, so I am guessing water temps on these lakes is higher. Too early yet, from may experience. The window of actual spawning is usually short, but when you hit it, WOW! Think water temps. Nearer to 40 the better!!!!
Thanks...so we would be a few weeks away from that yet? Sounds like just before early ice.
So that November full moon period might be a target, give or take a few days either side? I think that's too cold out for my liking.
i used to do it quite a bit in N. Wisconsin and then started making the Vermillion run the past 6 or so years where we used alpha dawgs with success ... i've traded the experience (LOL) for grouse hunting. break less stuff and don't put the boat away with a foot of snow in it. i'll be chearing for those of you who take up the slack. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | jonnysled - 10/27/2015 8:43 AM
Mark Hoerich - 10/27/2015 8:34 AM
Johnnie - 10/26/2015 6:42 PM
Far from an expert, but have fished the spawn quite q bit. They seem to spawn when water temps near 41 degrees or less. I fished a 20' deep lake Sunday and water was 51. Ciscoe lakes are generally much deeper and deeper lakes cool slower, so I am guessing water temps on these lakes is higher. Too early yet, from may experience. The window of actual spawning is usually short, but when you hit it, WOW! Think water temps. Nearer to 40 the better!!!!
Thanks...so we would be a few weeks away from that yet? Sounds like just before early ice.
So that November full moon period might be a target, give or take a few days either side? I think that's too cold out for my liking.
i used to do it quite a bit in N. Wisconsin and then started making the Vermillion run the past 6 or so years where we used alpha dawgs with success ... i've traded the experience (LOL ) for grouse hunting. break less stuff and don't put the boat away with a foot of snow in it. i'll be chearing for those of you who take up the slack.
I can't blame you for that...
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Good luck with the whale hunt Marty, hope this info helps.
People helping people...gotta love it. :0) |
|
| |
|
Posts: 265
Location: Manitowish Waters WI | I was on the MW chain this weekend, water temps still in the mid 40s. Ciscos seemed to be starting the stage up but not fully loaded yet in traditional stage areas. Finding where they spawn can be tricky and often times inconsistent depending on the weather and year. One year they are everywhere on a given sand gravel shoreline then the next their is next to nothing. Right now, till the real cool down in november to freeze up, you cant mistake them on the graph. They are tightly schooled and in large masses. Like previous comments, work the schools. Its not a matter of if its a matter of when. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Is it possible to actually see them in shallow after dark with maybe like a spot light?
I would think you could in clear cold water like that.? |
|
| |
|
Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Mark Hoerich - 10/27/2015 10:09 AM
Is it possible to actually see them in shallow after dark with maybe like a spot light?
I would think you could in clear cold water like that.?
very easy ... rig a long handled net and get yourself some. |
|
| |
|
Location: Sawyer County, WI | jonnysled - 10/27/2015 10:10 AM
Mark Hoerich - 10/27/2015 10:09 AM
Is it possible to actually see them in shallow after dark with maybe like a spot light?
I would think you could in clear cold water like that.?
very easy ... rig a long handled net and get yourself some.
Now there's an idea. A few cisco fillets on the grill make for a nice dinner. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 688
Location: Already Gone | Interesting....sounds like a party.
http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/seine-fishing-is-for-hearty-... |
|
| |
|
Posts: 81
| I have been able to keep them alive for 2-3 days in the past. You need a large circular container (they must swim continuously and prefer to go in circles), aerator and must change the water out w/ lake water or well water that doesn't run through copper piping. They can be a little fickle, but if done right, they will last a few days in captivity. I wouldn't recommend trying to hook one on a quick-set rig if you want to keep it alive. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 18
Location: Oshkosh, WI | I'll be going up from the 6th-9th of Nov.. Really hoping the ciscos are starting to gravitate towards there spawning sites as well. The primary lake I want to target maxes out at around 50' deep, hoping this lake is a little ahead of the other deeper cisco lakes in the area. My fingers are crossed hoping for some cooler weather, I would love to see water temps around 41-44degrees by then. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1906
Location: Oconto Falls, WI | For Vilas in WI:
I have usually found mid Nov. to be the time to hit the spawn somewhere. Not all lakes go at the same time. I can tell you N. Twin and Mani Waters are definitely different in timing.
Full moon doesn't mean a thing. That is just a generality in terms of sometimes the full moon is when water temps are at spawning temps. So if the Full moon falls early Nov you more than likely won't hit the spawn.
Best bet for contacting hungry fish...very early morning or at night. Rest of the day can be very hard to get fish to go. There are exceptions.
I was not up this weekend, but I would guess they are not staging yet.
Easy to find at night especially on a calm night. In the evening you will usually see them flipping. They move up into less than a foot of water to about 3' of water once dark. Shining works well. Like Sled mentioned during the day look for birds. Eagles and Loons are dead giveaways.
Fish shallow early and late. During the day slide out off the shallow area where they spawn, and cast/fish the deep.
Where do they spawn? Look for a clean bottom with little debris. Usually... Mostly sand. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2753
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | Don't forget WI no transport law, especially wild caught bait. Use them in the lake you caught them and are fishing. If not you might be answering questions from a WI Consevation Officer a.k.a., Game Warden.
I love this time of year- Hook a slob!
Have fun!Al |
|
| |
|
Posts: 220
| Any updates on this ? Would like to get up for Thanksgiving weekend but looks like the cold is really going to set in at that time. What are chances my little 800 acre max depth 60 ft. sleeper lake is going to be ice covered? How about Trout lake think that would still be open ??
Thanks
Darren |
|
| |
|
Posts: 8789
| Darren, the deep clear lakes typically stay open longer than the shallow lakes. You should be able to find some open water 10 days out. Haven't kept up with the weather as of late, but I'd say we have a good two weeks before everything is locked up for the season. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Two Weeks in N.Mn. isn't likely.
Not sure about Cheese Land.
It's going to get cold ..Fast. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 27
| There will still be open water. I was on a 200 acre lake on Sat that was 46. If I had the time I would be up for the entire week of Thanksgiving. Full moon on Wed. |
|
| |
