RIVER RISING BUT FISH ARE AVAILABLE!!!

Greetings All:
The melt continues and the Mississippi River is on the rise. Areas like Dubuque and Bellevue are very fishable right now. Be careful of floating ice chunks in the river though. I was out this morning, but due to the fast current up by the dam in Bellevue choose to head down river in search of some fish. Hit a few spots about 8 miles downriver and found a few small sauger off the main river channel casting jig/minnow rigs. Moved further up river about a mile and fished a running side slough and caught 3 really nice walleye there on a closing dam. Look for anything breaking the current right now and the fish are using these areas. As a bonus, found a few catfish in the thawed backwater areas feeding on dead shad and other baitfish. In a few hours fishing, caught enough for the dinner table.

Look for a nice weather weekend forecast coming up and lot's of boats up at the dams. Don't tell anyone but the best bite is coming at locations down river right now, LOL. Seriously though, more biters happening away from the dam that at it. 

So wear that PFD, the water is cold and enjoy some river fishing on the Mississippi. Good luck and save a few for me.

Regards: Lastcast,,,Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com

MISSISSIPPI RIVER OPENING UP FOR FISHING!!!!

Greetings All:

Finally, after this brutal Winter we have had, the Mississippi River is starting to open in select locations to do some open water fishing.

With the warmer temps arriving more often, the river tailwaters have opened so that those anglers chomping at the bit to get their boat in the water can finally do so. Areas below the dam in Dubuque and Bellevue are open as of this report. River is up about 3 feet at this time and expected to keep rising due to melt off. Many anglers are already fishing the Illinois side of Bellevue with very mixed results. Don't get caught in this "Bumper Boat" trap. Just because you see a pack of boats does not mean they are catching fish. Right now you can travel down river and find some great spots where the fish are holding and have then all to yourself. I was out this morning and found some nice walleye and sauger about 6 miles down from Bellevue fishing current breaks. This particular spot has produced for me for many years and continues to do so as a holding area for pre-spawn fish. Areas that are breaking the current are producing right now so make it a point to search out these types of locations.  Jig/minnow rigs tipped with a nice lively minnow in the 3" size range will do the trick right now. Start without a stinger hook and see how aggressive the fish are. If you are getting a lot of short hits, you can add the stinger hook then.

One last thing. Remember to handle those spawn laden walleye and sauger carefully. Take a few pictures and release the big fish so that they can complete their spawning ritual. If you want fish for the frying pan, there are many smaller males available to catch.

So be safe out there, wear that PFD and look out for ice chunks in the water that are semi-submerged. Also look for more chunk ice to happen as the river breaks up above the dams. 

Regards:  Lastcast    Mike Cyze     lastcast13@yahoo.com 

ICE CHANGING DAILY, CHECK IT'S SAFE BEFORE HEADING OUT!!!!!

Greetings All;

Well here we are with warmer temps upon us and it is having a big effect on Midwest ice conditions. 

With melt-off occurring the ice in many locations is becoming "iffy" to say the least. Especially on the rivers where current from underneath and melting on the surface is making for some dangerous conditions to say the least. areas of the Mississippi River have become to unsafe to venture on. With this in mind, start fishing those lakes and ponds that still have some good thickness of ice to them. Even there, be extra careful when venturing out to fish. Shoreline melting can, and does weaken ice quickly so again,,,BE CAREFUL!!!  Wear that PFD and bring along a friend do you can watch out for each other. One last thing, don't walk close together when getting on the ice. Wait till you know for sure it is safe to walk on.

Before long the ice will be just a memory for another year. So make some plans now to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing on your favorite body of water.

Regards:  Lastcast  Mike Cyze  lastcast13@yahoo.com 

WITH WARMER TEMPERATURES FORECAST, GET OUT AND FISH!!!!!

Greetings All:
With some much warmer temperatures forecast this coming weekend, it looks like a great time to get out and enjoy some late season ice fishing. This very cold Winter has been hampering most ice anglers from getting out on a regular basis but there is still time to enjoy. Keep in mind that the fish will be moving under the ice to more shallow locations in search of much needed oxygen, so adjust your fishing locations accordingly. This applies to areas like lakes and farm ponds. On rivers where there is current, the oxygen levels are not as depleted so you may still find some fish at deeper depths. This will depend on how well the water is oxygenated. 
One last thing, remember that this late in the season, small baits are the ticket for more fish, especially the panfish. 

So make your plans now to get out and shed that cabin fever that so many folks are suffering from this year. Dress warm and make plans to head to your favorite ice fishing location. I'm sure that you will be glad you did.

Regards: Lastcast   Mike Cyze   lastcast13@yahoo.com