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Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | This winter our WFT(Walleyes For Tomorrow) Pewaukee Chapter built 4 fish cribs on the ice and located them in a area that is not close to a drop off or weed line. It's an area that is vacant of cover and a transition area from the weedy East end and deep water. The DNR came to our chapter meeting and asked for help doing this project. Well we got 4 cribs 8ft wide x 8ft long and 5ft high built and now sunk in 16fow. Almost everyone is excited except a few muskie guys.
Personally I like the idea because they are in an area that has zero structure and is just a open flat. Now we have something to target as muskie guys and the cribs are spaced far enough apart so people can fish each crib without being too close to others.
Just looking for feedback: Good or bad.
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Location: S.W. WI | Why would a muskie guy not be excited about adding cribs? Cribs hold fish- Muskies eat fish. |
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Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | It's like a concession stand for muskie |
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| I'd be excited if I had way points where the cribs are |
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Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | West side of the narrows. I have each one waypointed. Will not be too hard to find them if you look. I will GPS them on my boat graph once I get it on the water. Side imaging will make that easy to find. I won't even need my hand held GPS coordinates. It was 15.5 to 16.5 foot deep on the graph where we set them up. DNR rules were 10ft under the surface and none can be set in water deeper than the thermocline. So the west end might get some next year in that 15 to 16 fow area between the weeds and deep water. Most troll in 18 ft and deeper so that's not an issue.
For the people who troll the flats: Mark the cribs and stay away from them or troll next to them. |
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Location: Smith Creek | The reason some people don't like cribs is because they can make fish more susceptible to harvest. Fish congregate around the crib, fishermen sit over crib and catch the fish. |
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| Can't see why it would be a bad thing. They certainly will hold fish. We stumbled on some old cribs in a lake I used to fish. There really wasn't much left - a couple pallets half buried in mud that we could see. Sure enough, there were two decent sized muskies tucked in right next to them. As long as whatever you're sinking out there doesn't pose some sort of environmental or navigation hazard, what have you got to lose? |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Flambeauski - 2/27/2017 2:05 PM
The reason some people don't like cribs is because they can make fish more susceptible to harvest. Fish congregate around the crib, fishermen sit over crib and catch the fish.
This. |
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Location: oswego, il | As long as everyone knows they exist and can find them, no problem. Being able to put structure in a public lake for personal benefit, not cool. |
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Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | I know you all probably know this already but here's a tip. When they build them on the ice, take a GPS or even your phone, walk out there and mark a waypoint. (: |
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| I live on a small lake in a chain. A few years back the DNR had told our lake association that there were funds available to build cribs on some of the lakes in the chain. I and a couple others said sure, we would supply the labor if funds were available. The idea was better habitat for pan fish. But, by the time the lake association got back to the DNR, they said no, the lake I am on and a couple others already have adequate natural habitat, so they would not make funds available. It was not a big deal but it made me wonder because the only natural habitat in the lake I am on is weeds. There are no rock piles in the lake, no lay down trees, etc. We do have thick weed beds and there are a couple of cribs on one end of the lake that have been there for decades. Again, I have no problem with the DNR decision, just curious if anyone knows what their criteria are for putting in cribs.
Edited by North of 8 2/27/2017 6:04 PM
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| Musky_Mo16 - 2/27/2017 5:45 PM
I know you all probably know this already but here's a tip. When they build them on the ice, take a GPS or even your phone, walk out there and mark a waypoint. (:
Here's another tip:
If you build it on the ice, bring a chain saw and sink that #*#* before anybody sees it!  |
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Location: Apparently where the Muskie aren't | esoxaddict - 2/27/2017 7:08 PM
Musky_Mo16 - 2/27/2017 5:45 PM
I know you all probably know this already but here's a tip. When they build them on the ice, take a GPS or even your phone, walk out there and mark a waypoint. (:
Here's another tip:
If you build it on the ice, bring a chain saw and sink that #*#* before anybody sees it! ; )
If you do both, bam you got your own secret crib, lol.
Edited by Musky_Mo16 2/27/2017 7:35 PM
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Posts: 2691
Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Pewaukee Lake has a overabundance of pan fish and they are stunted. Getting more areas where people can catch pan fish and keep them is a plus. half the lake is choked with weeds, the other is deep and only weedy on the shorelines. Adding a few places where people can come and target fish is ok. Lots of places to fish and over harvest is not possible in a lake with so much weed cover.
These cribs are not something we will be keeping a secret. The dropped before the ice got bad enough to start moving. No big holes were cut to avoid public safety when the ice was thick enough to drive on.
This was just 4 cribs and a test to see if it's something we will do more of. |
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Location: Racine, Wi | I'm surprised that musky guys are upset. What's there to lose on the musky side? Might need to scuba dive those puppies next year to collect some baits. (probably mine haha)  |
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Location: SE, WI. |
Todd, flambeuski, Steve hit on a few of the negatives of cribs!!! I will also say, many that respond to this post have little experience and knowledge of this lake. Every lake is different!!! I think Okauchee would have been a better idea for cribs!!!! Okauchee is a lake that Most troll deep, Pewaukee....NOT! # 1, My first thought of cribs being introduced to pewaukee was WHY? Lakes that cribs are put in is because the lack of cover , mostly due to rusties. Pewaukee has in its east basin 1000 acres of flat out matted weeds in the summer. Weeds that are infested with a grass that is almost unfishable....plenty of cover there!!!! The west end of pewaukee west of cottage island is similar, tons of weeds in this bay, just not as unfishable as the east end. Along with bays glen cove, auer bay and capt jacks bay all have good weeds/ cover! #2Might as well raise a flag on those cribs and say, fish here!!! flambeu hit on this as cribs are magnets for lakes to be raped of fish populations. All the old timers I ever talked to about cribs said cribs ruin lakes! People will sit on these cribs and take fish!!! So much for protecting the fish populations!!! Can you imagine how many fish will be taken by ice fisherman siting on these cribs. "Making the fisheries tougher to fish helps populations"!!!!!!!! #3 One of the reasons I was told by the Dnr and others that the stocking of Walleyes, and Pike in the system was to rid the heavy population of stunted bait fish...gills/ perch. NOW! You are going to turnaround and protect the bait by putting in 30 cribs??? #4 Pewaukee is the closest lake to Metro milwaukee. Many come to pewaukee to fish. Can you imagine how many of these inexperienced people have no clue where they are fishing. These cribs will collect much debris, such as hooks, lures, Line, anchor ropes....ect... Hope I don't get super line or anchor ropes in my prop. These cribs will collect lots of Junk!!! #5 Migration patterns will change with these cribs . These fish have moved the same in the past, for years, now fish will migrate different, and stop at these cribs. Good thing? Pewaukee lake is one of the best lakes in the state for muskies...why change a good thing? #6Fishing pressure on cribs??? Wonder how many shouting matches you will see now on cribs as a musky fisherman chucks big baits at the pan fisherman/ walleye guy??? I was here first!!!?? #7 Whoever thought of this crib idea , placing them in 16' and thinking that musky trollers only troll deep...plain ignorance! I troll 3'-30'...it's called versatility!!! Yes, I will eventually find them and troll next to them, but it's like taking a cell phone away from a salesman, and saying , go out and do your job now! or hand cuffing a criminal and try to run now, or taking away a pattern from a local guides! # 8 I am all for more walleyes on pewaukee, BUT, the bottom line is...there is a pike problem. Few of my buddies, called and told me that they are finding 13",14 walleyes in stomachs of pike. And the DNR poured another 9,000 pike in the system the past 2 years . Can this lake sustain its baitfish , after all these pike and eyes planted the past few years. I saw a decline in bait last year!!! We will see??? Last season I had 84 pike, and 87 muskies on Pewaukee. 9 years ago, I had 95 muskies and 0 pike. There is a pike problem. Do I think the cribs will help......time will tell. Are they needed in Pewaukee ...NO....all the cover in this lake...cribs simply not needed. I've fished this lake for 43 years, guided since 1988, caught well over 3,000 muskies in this awesome lake, why change a good thing??? I Hope I am wrong, but the musky fisheree we once new on this lake .... I see is on a decline with all the pike eating the small newly stocked muskies, and Walleyes!!! I see ZERO upside in planting CRIBS!!! I'd much rather see rock bars made!!! JD
Edited by jdsplasher 2/28/2017 8:30 AM
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Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | Very valid points Jim. This is the feedback I was looking to get either positive or negative.
Your opinion is the complete opposite of the DNR. I see both sides as I am on that lake almost every day. We are only talking 4 cribs. 30 cribs will never happen. Way too much work and materials.
Remember the DNR came to us(WFT) and asked for our help making the lake better. Why would they think it's a good idea?
I am trying to see the whole picture here and will push ahead or push to stop the cribs as we learn more about the effects of them on Pewaukee Lake.
A few cribs is not going to change a lake more than the yearly increase or decrease of weeds does each year already. Every new year the lake changes some. It's just another new year with 4 cribs in one large open area.
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Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | I am very open to all views and welcome the good and the bad. Please feel free to voice you opinion and experiences with cribs on lakes.
The pike explosion on Pewaukee Lake is another issue.
Edited by Mikes Extreme 2/28/2017 9:32 AM
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | I'm really surprised that this was a DNR initiative. Generally biologists don't like cribs since they aren't habitat and really do nothing to benefit the waters where placed. Usually it's lake associations that want to make it easier to catch fish that get permission to place cribs. The only cribs that I've ever heard to be considered beneficial as habitat are placed very shallow to provide spawning and nursery habitat. |
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| The way our lake association presented it, the DNR had notified them of funds being available for cribs. It may be that this was part of a general communication about grants, funds, etc.. I know a couple years ago the DNR provided a small grant that helped with the cost of replacing channel markers. A lot of folks seem to think the DNR pays for those and places them but on the chain where I live, the lake association pays for the markers and pays a guy to place/remove the markers each year. While we got a small grant to help replace some of the markers, the vast majority of the cost is borne by the lake association. |
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Location: SE, WI. |
Will Schultz - 2/28/2017 12:18 PM I'm really surprised that this was a DNR initiative. Generally biologists don't like cribs since they aren't habitat and really do nothing to benefit the waters where placed. Usually it's lake associations that want to make it easier to catch fish that get permission to place cribs. The only cribs that I've ever heard to be considered beneficial as habitat are placed very shallow to provide spawning and nursery habitat. Will, I totally agree with you on this crib thing. And yes, I believe it was lake land owners that are responsible for signing off on this crib planting. I was told that the crib idea was the walleyes for tomorrow leaders, who some do live on the lake!!! Don't get me wrong....I am grateful for the work walleyes for tomorrow are doing!!!But the influx of cribs should have been discussed way before they have been dropped down. I am all for habitat, but NOT red flags saying ...fish here:) Again, I am all for more eyes in this lake, BUT, there is simply way, way, enough cover to protect them. ridding the lake, or at least reducing the pike population will help in the survival of the walleye, and musky. The ridiculous size limit of (1) 32" pike daily bag limit will simply kill this lakes thriving of eyes and Musky. The DNR needs to go back and rethink the pike limits. Besides, DNR put out a Mercury level warning on eating pike over 28". Why would they let you keep one that is 32"???? Are they trying to kill us all:)? Limits on pike need to go back to keeping 2 under 30" and 1 over 40" daily limits...IMO JD |
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Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin | The new Game warden Marcus (I believe his name is) came to our WFT meeting and asked if our club would like to help in this project. No one in our club came up with this idea.
My goal is to get the two rivers that flow into the lake worked on to make better spawning habitat. The river on the south side of the lake is our main goal and long term big project. We(Pewaukee Chapter) are working on with WFT and the DNR on stream restoration. Cribs came up in a meeting when the new warden introduced himself and his plan for cribs. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | Be careful of anything a "game warden" has to say. Here in Michigan they're called conservation officers and in either situation they are ONLY law enforcement and are (usually) not biologists and should not be offering any advice on fisheries management or biology. |
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Location: Grand Rapids, MI | tkuntz - 2/28/2017 2:39 PM The DNR can't do anything without an uneducated peanut gallery wailing and moaning about it. More structure leads to more fish. Cut and dry. That statement couldn't be farther from the truth. Structure is only structure and is not habitat. In fact, often times cribs, unless built correctly and unless placed correctly, won't even provide the desired angling benefit- in which case it's simply dumping trash into the lake/river.
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| Rudedog - 2/27/2017 1:11 PM
Why would a muskie guy not be excited about adding cribs? Cribs hold fish- Muskies eat fish. Perfect critical thinking resulting in common sense,...pure and simple.Good to see it still exists somewhere out there. |
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Location: MN | What was their reasoning to stock Pike? Seems counterproductive in a muskie and walleye lake. |
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| Careful with fish cribs. Look what they do to lake shabbona in illinois every winter. When does it become too much? |
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Location: NE Wisconsin | Cribs make builders feel good, but I fee ,they are more beneficial for the angler then they are for the fish. |
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Location: oswego, il | Shabbonna doesnt need more structure. It is full of weeds, timber and existing cribs from whe it was built. People get to make they're own personal fishing spots. Another thing about cribs is they are lure magnets. I have taken a lure retriever to cribs on shabbona when hung in them and retrieved mounds of line and several other lures before getting to mine. A buddy of mine has a mound of tangled line he pulled off a crib there bigger than a basketball. |
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Location: Smith Creek | Mikes Extreme - 2/28/2017 1:11 PM
The new Game warden Marcus (I believe his name is) came to our WFT meeting and asked if our club would like to help in this project. No one in our club came up with this idea.
My goal is to get the two rivers that flow into the lake worked on to make better spawning habitat. The river on the south side of the lake is our main goal and long term big project. We(Pewaukee Chapter) are working on with WFT and the DNR on stream restoration. Cribs came up in a meeting when the new warden introduced himself and his plan for cribs.
What Will said. I've never heard of a fisheries manager or biologist being in favor of cribs.
Artificial spawning habitat is something else entirely. |
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