Willow Flowage

Today was very tough out there, again had a hard time finding any water temps over 50 degrees. Had Dave in the boat today and he needed 15 pan fish for a meal. It took 4 hours after we found warm water and some were on the small side, so when he said he had enough there was 22 in the live well. Fish were on wood and with the wind it was slip bobbers all the way. Thanks Dave as always it cold but fun. I have days open here before the opener for pan fish and I’ll still do pan fish after the opener for anyone that wants to get out on the water.

What a nice day to be out pan fishing. Started out around 10 o’clock every where I went to water temps were 44-45 degrees with no bites. It was  noon when we found 50.5 degrees and over the next 5 hours it got up to 56.5 degrees. I was fishing with Dan today and we used 1/16 oz jigs and a little night crawler piece. We caught around 50, mix bag of pan fish and kept 32. Got days open if anyone wants to get out on the willow Flowage. Thanks Dan for a great time.

https://www.wvic.com/WaterReports/Water_Level_Report.cfm

Appears to be 6' down and this link will get ya there to look any time you'd like

Musky Ben

​Anyone know how the water levels are this year ​at the Willow?  We a little over 30 days from season opener ​and barely any snow ​so wondering if we will be facing very low levels.

Fished Friday with Tim on the willow, was cold and windy and a portable shacks were a must. Started out with lots of crappies under us , in the first 1/2 hour we had 3 big ones and lost 3 in the hole. After about another hour the crappies were just gone. We moved spots and were back on some fish. We fished till 3 o’clock and ended up with 14  and 3  nice gills. Some came out minnows and the others came on jig and plastic. Thanks Tim it was fun for sure.

Fished the willow today for 6 1/2 hours for crappies.  First 2 spots were slow at best got to the 3rd spot at 3:30 . In 2 hours I caught around 20 and kept 14 all good ones. 11 crappies and 3 gills caught in 13 fow on jig and spikes. I have days open for the willow anyone wants to get out.  

Well folks it's that time of year again to start thinking about open water. It could be an interesting year for sure. The walleyes by opener could very likely be in a major post spawn, early summer pattern. I still have some openings in May and June.  Give me a holler if you're interested. Thanks Bruce Gruening
715-499-2424

... Just want to drop a quick note to say thanks for all the feedback about ice and travel conditions. Safety is a main priority over catching fish.

Thanks gentlemen.  I haven't been out yet this year so I appreciate the information.  In the past, I always went from the sand landing and ran along the north shore to the 4 islands and then went across the channel.  As much as I would like to get out up there, I may have to change my plans and go elsewhere.  Good luck and safe travels to those that do get out.

From the sand landing there are 2 cracks running north and south. Both with large areas of open water. First is from Indian shack point heading to rock island. Was over 50’ wide Sunday. Second is just west of there before you hit 4 islands running again about the length of the main basin north and south. Many shorelines also have odd open spots so running those is out for us. I would not advise atv travel. Walking only for our group.