Sugar River (Belleville), Dane County (all postings)

Are there any trout regulations on the Sugar River, other than Catch and Release? I was planning on going this Sunday, any advice, comments, or concerns would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Hi I just moved down to the Belleville/Verona area from Green Bay a few weeks ago. I'm looking for a place to take my girlfriends little brother (9 years old) fishing for some trout and smallmouth. They live on a farm near the sugar river but we really haven't had much luck other an occasional carp and one small brown. I've never really fished streams before but we were using gulp trout worms and size #1 mepps agila. Any advice on locations or tips would be wonderful. Hoping to take him out tonight or tomorrow again.

Thanks!

Closes when season closes...I live there..right near the mud pit Belleville is digging

Below the dams on the Sugar at least in Albany and Brodhead its closed by the DNR for a fish refuge till opening game fish season 1st saturday in May.

Below the dam in Belleville is closed why would it be open its not a trout stream

Sorry not a report - but can anybody confirm if fishing is actually closed below the dam in Belleville? I don't see anything in the regs about it...is it just posted by the river?

Thanks!

All week I've just been slamming fish - a little ways down from the spillway closer to the bridge. 14in -15in smallies and tons of panfish. Fishing has been good. Seasons open now!

~roc

That does not matter if fishing within 500 feet of the dam and spillway. it is a fish refuge during the closed season for any and all fishing!

There is an early catch and release season on inland trout streams from March 6th right up to April 25th. Then the streams are closed to give the trout a break until May 1st. Fishing is limited to artificial lures during early season. here is the excerpt from the DNR trout fishing regs.

There is an early catch and release season for trout from March 6, 2010 at 5: 00 a.m. until April 25 at midnight on the waters listed in 1 through 19 below: • The daily bag limit and possession limit for trout during this period is 0 (all trout caught shall be immediately released) and only artificial lures may be used while fishing for any species of fish on trout streams during this early season. The early season does not apply to spring ponds, ponds, lakes, Lake Michigan tributaries, major Green Bay tributar- ies, all other tributary streams, rivers and ditches to Green Bay upstream to the first dam or lake, or streams flowing into Lake Superior and their tributaries upstream to the first impassible barrier.

Fishing season is closed until tomorrow. So using plastics and lures is illegal. Dont ppl look at the regs and follow the laws? I believe in belleville below the dam and spillway is also a fish refuge during the closed season and no fishing allowed for 500 ft below.

I've been out a few times the past week or so...Targeting anything really. Snagging TONS of suckers, buffalo carp, and bullhead. Trout are very active near the little spillway off of Lake Belle and managed a few smallies here and there. All fish caught on soft plastics. Fairly slow presentation, if you're using the right color and bait the fish will slam it!

Does anyone target panfish primarily out here? A more broad question, but are there any crappies or decent sized panfish in this little river? I don't keep any fish nor do I even eat any(Never have since I could remember) - I just like to fish!

roc!

New to the area and am looking for a good place to fish browns within an hour of Madison. I am catch and release guy, please PM me if you have any info. Thanks.

The Suckers are biting below the dam! Great for pickling!!

gamefishing in the sugar river doesn't open til may 1st.my wife caught a 25 inch walleye just outside of belleville 3 years ago but in september.

I've been out two times this week and have caught about 20 smallies, none of which were over 14inc. A bunch around 12-13in. Some people said that the Walleye come through here but haven't been able to get into to any.

Carp and suckers are swimming around like crazy - I don't think they ever leave.

-roc