Wisconsin Walleye Fishing

Opening day is almost upon us and while there are many great waters for Wisconsin walleye fishing, the Chippewa Valley is home to three great lakes. It is fun to journey to the Mississippi River to fish below dams, or the Alma Float before the inland opener. The fishing opener on inland lakes such as those in the Chippewa Valley is the long awaited prize after a winter on the ice. The Chippewa Valley is home to three great lakes for Wisconsin walleye fishing: Lake Wissota, Dells Pond, and Lake Altoona. If you’re not up for a long drive to catch some fresh Wisconsin walleyes, or a long launch line on some or our northern lakes, just stay in the Chippewa Valley. Lake Wissota is a huge body of water with plenty of opportunity for numbers as well as size. Many times I journeyed to Red Cedar Lake to catch my opening day walleys, only to come back to Lake Wissota to out fish the time spent on Red Cedar Lake. Fishing Lake Wissota during the Wisconsin fishing opener, I offer two pieces of advice. Number one, fish in 12-18 feet of water in the warmest section of the lake you’re fishing, and secondly, during the day use a jig and minnow and as night approaches anchor and cast some slip bobbers by your favorite drop off. Lake Wissota offers great Wisconsin walleye fishing; it should be considered a top opening day water. Considering how many people live in the Chippewa Valley, Dell’s Pond receives very little fishing pressure. If you are interested in getting those opening day walleyes just below the 14 inch slot limit, Dell’s Pond puts those tasty fillets in your frying pan. On Lake Wissota the slot fish (14-18) inches seems to be growing in numbers. On Dell’s Pond you do catch slot fish, but coming home with a meal is easier.

Are the Walleyes on Dell’s Pond smaller than Lake Wissota? In my two years of living on the Chippewa River above Dell’s Pond, I have caught hundreds of walleyes in and below the slot, but never over. Why fish Dell’s Pond on opening day? If you are native to the Chippewa Valley - Save Gas! And most importantly there are many walleye ripe for the taking, ready to be the next meal in your frying pan.

How should one approach fishing for walleyes on Dell’s Pond? When I begin the season fishing Dell’s Pond, I use the same strategies that work well on Lake Wissota; but as spring turns to summer I switch my strategies, but that is for another article. Lake Altoona has big fish period. If you have done some Wisconsin walleye fishing on Lake Altoona you know what I mean, and if you haven‘t, go, you‘ll see what I mean. Of all the lakes I have fished in the Chippewa Valley for Wisconsin walleyes, Lake Altoona has produced the biggest fish. The best day I have ever had fishing Lake Altoona I caught 3 walleyes over 23 inches and a few others a bit smaller. While I am sure a jig and minnow and slip bobber produce, I recommend trolling with a floating Rapala on the mid and upper lake flats. The Chippewa Valley is home to three top Wisconsin Opening Day Walleye Waters. You have Lake Wissota, Dell’s Pond and Lake Altoona. Each Lake has it opportunities for great walleye fishing in Wisconsin.

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