November The Madison Lakes Underwater. Meeting notes by Stan Nichols

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November 2011 Editor: Tom Raschke (tomraschke50@gmail.com) or 608-219-9243 Club Web site: http://www.yaharafishingclub.

Or easier and quicker, ask Rick Krueger. Rick is a local diver with years of experience diving the Madison lakes. He is out there from ice-off to ice-on.

1 November 2011 Editor: Tom Raschke or Club Web site: The Madison Lakes Underwater Meeting notes by Stan Nichols Grab your side-scan sonar, underwater camera, and SCUBA gear and find out what is really under the surface of the Madison lakes. Or easier and quicker, ask Rick Krueger. Rick is a local diver with years of experience diving the Madison lakes. He is out there from ice-off to ice-on. He is also somewhat of an electronics expert, retiring from the City of Madison radio shop where he repaired and maintained city and other municipality s electronic equipment. Rick took us on an underwater tour of the Madison lakes at the October meeting as it related to fish. But first, a short geology lesson may help interpret some things Rick was talking about. The Yahara River was present long before the Madison lakes. It cut a deep valley, much like some in southwestern Wisconsin. When the last glacier came it filled in some of the river valley, left big boulders, and plugged up the river to form a giant glacial Lake Yahara. The water gradually drained to form the mere puddles that we have now as the Madison lakes. If you have a good imagination you can still see some of the old beach line on some of the steeper shores along the lakes (I m not a geologist so my imagination is lacking). So starting on Lake Mendota around Governor s Island there is a steep drop-off on the west side. This is part of the old river channel. There are many boulders on the bottom until you go off the edge. The glacier probably left them there. The bars in the lake may have been preglacial high point or they may be places where the glacier deposited piles of sand and rocks. So what has this got to do with fish? Rick finds a lot of fish associated with the bars and especially the rocks, sometimes almost intimately. Many of these rocks are in water around 30 feet deep, on the edge of the drop-off into the deepwater abyss of lakes Mendota and Monona. The 30-foot depth is also important because this is about the level of the thermocline in the summer. Below the thermocline oxygen becomes depleted and it makes poor fish habitat. The thermocline also has cooler water that is preferred by some fish during the summer heat. So putting two and two together, many of us may be fishing too shallow in the summer. It could be that the depths around 30 feet would be areas where fish would find more ideal water temperatures, oxygen, and boulders for habitat. The other area Rick found a lot of fish as it relates to structure is where either artificial habitat was made (i.e. fish cribs) or there is other junk in the lakes. So lets talk about specifics. In Lake Mendota there is a line of boulders along the old Yahara River channel from Governor s Island to Dunn s Bar in about 30 feet of water. The Brearly Street, Tenney, and Lincoln School bars have rocks dispersed across them with rocky finger projecting out into deeper water, Lincoln School bar also has a sunken ice-shanty that is making an excellent fish crib. The fish cribs that the Yahara Fishing Club put in the lake are still in good condition and hold panfish. In front of the U.W. Union there is water pipe inlet and outlet and an old sunken pontoon boat that is making good structure to hold fish. There is a metal structure off second point that fish like. The Commodore Bar is another natural high spot in the lake with boulders. In Lake Monona the Musky Club put in a line of fish cribs southwest of Olbrich Park. These are in deeper water than had been originally planned. There is a dredge hole and pieces of an old dredge off Schluter beach that is good fish habitat. There are half-log structures off Winnequah Point that a bass club put in for spawning smallmouth. Rick has never seen a smallmouth spawning under them. The water inlets and outlets and the Continued next page

Continued from previous page Convention Center are also areas to find fish. It is hard to fish under the Convention Center.

Northern Pike and Muskies are found in marl depressions especially on the north side of the Medical Bar.

In Lake Waubesa there are lots of rocks in the 30 feet of water range off Rockford Heights, Babcock Park, Christies Bar, and Hog Island. There are also fish cribs northwest of Rockford Heights.

2 Continued from previous page Convention Center are also areas to find fish. It is hard to fish under the Convention Center. Some natural habitat in Lake Monona includes a rock ridge in about 35 feet of water along the Winnequah shoreline and the drop off on the north side of the Medical Building Bar. Northern Pike and Muskies are found in marl depressions especially on the north side of the Medical Bar. Muskies tend to cruise the area where rock hits muck along Monona Terrace and bass are seen hiding under the pipes for the state power plant east of the Elk s Club. In Lake Waubesa there are lots of rocks in the 30 feet of water range off Rockford Heights, Babcock Park, Christies Bar, and Hog Island. There are also fish cribs northwest of Rockford Heights. Lake Kegonsa tends to be flatter than the other lakes but there are a lot of fish cribs placed in the lakes. Many are to the north of Colladay Bar. This is just a glimpse of Rick s knowledge of the Madison Lakes. If my memory serves me correctly he has a CD with lots of GPS points relating to these structures that he sells for a nominal price. A couple of tips, if you only have a conventional sonar, set the zoom so it just scans the bottom to find some of these structure elements. Also an underwater camera will give you a visual of what you are seeing on the sonar. Rick likes Marcum cameras but there are a variety of manufactures and prices out there. He also knows a lot about electronics so if you have a question he is usually a friendly guy about contacting him. His phone number is or at rk_diver@hotmail.com. Just watch the D&S website and you will see many of his posts. Yahara Fishing Club Marshall Park and Spring Harbor Boat Launch Ramps Closed Beginning the first week of November, the Engineering Division and Parks Divisions of the City of Madison are starting a joint project to dredge the Marshall Park channel (between the launch and Lake Mendota) and the outflow storm sewer pipe adjacent to the Spring Harbor boat launch. These dredging projects will require the early closing of these boat launches. The Marshall Park boat launch and the Spring Harbor boat launches will be closed for the season and all piers pulled the beginning the first week of November. Laura Whitmore Madison Parks - Marketing/Community Relations Phone: Cell: Madison Parks - City of Madison, Wisconsin Artic Armor Outerwear. If you didn t catch this at the last meeting, John Kanvik demonstrated an Artic Armor coat that worked out well for him. He got it on the internet for about $ Contact him for more info. YFC Newsletters available on the website. Just a reminder that YFC newsletters, including the current edition, are available on the website.they go back about 4 years. See

Yahara Fishing Club Sturgeon Bay Ice Fishing, Feb 10th and 11th, 2012 What: Join your Yahara Fishing Club members on a semi guided ice fishing trip to the waters of Green Bay near Sturgeon Bay

3 Yahara Fishing Club Sturgeon Bay Ice Fishing, Feb 10th and 11th, 2012 What: Join your Yahara Fishing Club members on a semi guided ice fishing trip to the waters of Green Bay near Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. We have arranged for the rental of permanent heated ice fishing shacks from Dean Gordon a well known guide who owns Hooked-Up Charters in Sturgeon Bay. Dean will provide the heated shacks in his prime locations. He provides transportation on the ice to and from the shacks at designated times. Transportation via ATV s and UTV s or trucks depending on ice conditions. You provide your own fishing equipment, bait, augers, lunch, beverages etc. When: Feb 10th & Feb 11th Depart late afternoon of Feb 10th and travel to Sturgeon Bay. Lodging at Super 8 in Sturgeon Bay on Friday night Feb 10th. Fishing starts Saturday morning Feb 11th with meeting of Dean at a designated shore spot. Depart back for Madison around 5 p.m. on Saturday. Or those that want to stay an extra night and fish on Sunday let s discuss the options. Where: Waters of Green Bay near Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin. Ice Fishing. Dean has his shacks located where the whitefish will be biting. He moves the shacks to where the bite is going strong each week. Cost: (Projected based upon assumption that we have 8 people signed up. Can accommodate more but need to get this locked in quickly to make sure shacks and hotel accommodations are still available.) Cost of Shack Rental and Ice Transportation: $150/shack/day (Before tax). Large shack (8 x10 ) for 4 people with wood or gas heat. Dean will provide the transportation on the ice. Normally transportation is extra but he is throwing this in for the club members. Cost of Hotel: $49.95 / day. (Before tax) Double room Super 8. Projected Cost per Person (assuming 8 minimum): $62.50/person (before tax) for one day fishing, one nights lodging. Transportation to Sturgeon Bay and back to be arranged by yourself or buddy system. Please note on sign up sheet if you can drive or need a ride. We can coordinate between the group how we want to handle lunch on the ice or everyone is on their own? Evening meals your own cost. (We ll have plenty of options on way up to Sturgeon Bay) What I need: First 8 people to sign up and pay $40 Deposit are guaranteed a spot. Need initial Deposit by Dec club meeting. Sign up at meeting or contact guy.ringle@wpsic.com or Recommended Tackle to Bring: Medium or medium light action ice fishing rod. (Typical light walleye rod or heavy perch rod) Spinning reel spooled with 6 lb or 8 lb fused main line. I use crystal fire line 6lb. Assortment of jigging spoons; Swedish pimples (gold with cracked ice tape, pearl white with cracked ice tape, silver with cracked ice tape, size 3 and size 4) Macho minnows (gold shiner, silver shiner) 6 lb Floro carbon leader with cross lock snap between spoon and barrel swivel to main fused line. Small gold treble hooks to run above barrel swivel. Large tear drop ice jig to run above barrel swivel as second option. A large supply of wax worms. I hook these on treble hook or tear drop jig above barrel swivel. Note; sometimes gulp alive wax worms will work. I tend to use the real thing. Good to have gulp along as back up. A large supply of medium size river shiner minnows. I tear the heads off and hook heads on spoon treble hook. (I usually get bait at Dyksville gas station on way to Sturgeon Bay) Ice auger (coordinate with group) Hole scoop Fish Locator/flasher. It definitely ups your success rate to have one. Pail to carry your gear and sit on. Pail or bag to carry fish back. Ice creepers Warm cloths Your Wisconsin Fishing License Lunch and Refreshments Guy Ringle 5 3 V.F.W. Post Lakeside St. Madison

Upcoming Fishing Club Outings Yahara Fishing Club Lake Mendota Walleye. After two outings with poor success, we will give this one more shot and hopefully hit the bite.

Karlette Shoen will be the chief cook. We will have a show of hands at the Nov. meeting so Karlette can plan on how much food to prepare. Bring your own favorite beverages.

John has been quite successful at catching these yummies. Early to mid January date to be announced. February Whitefish outing. Icing a bunch of Whitefish should be a ball.

We will need a $40 NON REFUDABLE DEPOSIT payable to YFC ASAP to reserve ice shanties. Cut off will be when the shanties are rented and there is no more space available.

4 Upcoming Fishing Club Outings Yahara Fishing Club Lake Mendota Walleye. After two outings with poor success, we will give this one more shot and hopefully hit the bite. This is a fun evening outing off the Tenny breakwater. The date will be Thursday, Nov. 10th., starting about 5 pm. We will be grilling hot dogs and (Brats?), plus baked beans and maybe chili. Karlette Shoen will be the chief cook. We will have a show of hands at the Nov. meeting so Karlette can plan on how much food to prepare. Bring your own favorite beverages. Ice fishing hunt for Perch on Lake Monona. Our own John Kanvik will be guiding and we need as many ATV s as possible to haul members to various locations on the lake. John has been quite successful at catching these yummies. Early to mid January date to be announced. February Whitefish outing. Icing a bunch of Whitefish should be a ball. Our own Guy Ringle will be our guide as he is familiar with the waters of Green Bay and has been quite successful at this endeavor and has property in the area. We will need a $40 NON REFUDABLE DEPOSIT payable to YFC ASAP to reserve ice shanties. Cut off will be when the shanties are rented and there is no more space available. I will have a sign up sheet at the Nov. meeting. Please see more detail in Guy Ringles article on page 3. Also check out / Guy will be our speaker at the November meeting. March and April outings yet to be decided, provide me with any suggestions. Likely we will hit the Fox River out of Oshkosh for the White Bass run. Raffle for November Yep a $50.00 gift card, this from Farm & Fleet. Also featured is the modern version of the Swish Rod, many will know this as the choice for Perch fishing on Mendota. We will have a second Swish Rod, but the folks who manufacturer these in Tomah asked it to be used for the winter kids ice fishing. So it will be in a silent auction and the proceeds will be designated for the Jan. kid s ice fishing day. Other cool stuff a Rapala spin combo, a Joe Bucher Super Top Raider musky bait, a nice assortment of spinner baits, a bunch of rigged crawler/minnow harnesses, and more. This is the last raffle for the year (Dec. is the Christmas party), so take advantage and win as well as helping the club. Thanks for your participation, Tom Klein Tom Klein 4

Yahara Fishing Club Notes From the Prez Well my friends, we have already established that I am not as smart as I look. Come to think of it, I really don t look too good at all any more.

So if there s something you ve thought about doing, before you stop moving, then git er done! You may be wondering right about now, what the heck is he talking about. Well, it has been 2 years (Oct.

Reason enough to contemplate change. I have been so busy since then, spending time with those kids, helping run the Fishing Expo, working with this great club, volunteering at St.

Just take a look at the calendar or go outside and look at the trees. There s candy all over the house.that means Halloween. And next is Turkey Day and then the Christmas lights. Wow.

One year long ago, we were sitting on a couple inches of ice on the back of Cherokee on November 13. Things can change quickly from here on in.

5 Yahara Fishing Club Notes From the Prez Well my friends, we have already established that I am not as smart as I look. Come to think of it, I really don t look too good at all any more. However, that won t stop me from handing out a bit of advice once in a while. So here we go. Time really does fly.whether you re having fun or not. So if there s something you ve thought about doing, before you stop moving, then git er done! You may be wondering right about now, what the heck is he talking about. Well, it has been 2 years (Oct. 31) since I walked out of the post office for the last time. After walking in and out of those doors almost 10,000 times.i was done. I had 3 grandkids then, 4 now, and 5 soon. Reason enough to contemplate change. I have been so busy since then, spending time with those kids, helping run the Fishing Expo, working with this great club, volunteering at St. Dennis, helping my wife with her business, that I have no idea where those 40+ hours a week are now. But this is good..it all seems natural. Gotta keep movin! Just take a look at the calendar or go outside and look at the trees. There s candy all over the house.that means Halloween. And next is Turkey Day and then the Christmas lights. Wow. Gotta keep those legs going! And I always start really looking forward to ice fishing this time of year. One year long ago, we were sitting on a couple inches of ice on the back of Cherokee on November 13. Things can change quickly from here on in. Looking ahead to the next couple months, there s a lot going on with our club. A couple of great outings planned, the Christmas party, the Kid s Ice Fishing Day, the Fishing Expo, and on and on. So plan to be at the next meeting on November 8 and read your newsletter, for all the latest details. And speaking of the newsletter, John Kanvik has some great ideas regarding the club s tax status and donations. We will let folks know about the possibility of helping us out with donations through the newsletter and our website. As we look to the future, we can see that putting on our kid s fishing days without chopping the budget, will be a challenge. That s where a little help is needed. John came up with the idea when he decided to donate $25, from the UW Survey he did, to the club. I ll be doing the same and hope others will consider this. Thanks John. So with all this great stuff happening I will ask that all members find out who s in charge at events and get hold of them to see how you can help. You know, even as I ask this, I know it s all going to get done. Still, it s best if we all stay involved. And lots of volunteers makes the work that much easier Don t forget to fill out a club survey, get your entries in for the fishing contest, maybe buy a new club hat, and, of course, please try to attend meetings. Details, details. And with all this happening, I still have to put some venison in the freezer next month. And leave enough room for some bluegill filets. Want to talk fishing C h a r l i e 5

Yahara Fishing Club The Clements Barge, October 2012 It was a mostly clear day,

Wydeven with a Sauger After 80 or 90 years of fishing, Jack finally caught this

He says he wants to thank the club for their help in landing the fish, especially

6 Yahara Fishing Club The Clements Barge, October 2012 It was a mostly clear day, if windy, and everyone arrived in good shape, considering getting up well before 4:00 am. The fishing was slow, but we had a good time Stan Nichols Colleen Marsden Jeff Wydeven with a Sauger After 80 or 90 years of fishing, Jack finally caught this good-sized Northern at the Clements Barge. He says he wants to thank the club for their help in landing the fish, especially Kevin Tvedten, who told Jack that he had a fish on. Jack s fish weighed about as much as the total from all other the fish caught by the club during the outing. 7 Jack Hurst catches his first fish 6 6

Yahara Fishing Club The Annual Club Northern Outing, October 2012 Jim Kloth A few nice fish caught with Fintech jigs.

Yahara Fishing Club Membership Application Name Street P.O.

..Free (with paid membership) Except for special Summer On the water dates, meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Lakeside VFW Hall, John Nolan Dr, & Lakeside St.

7 Yahara Fishing Club The Annual Club Northern Outing, October 2012 Jim Kloth A few nice fish caught with Fintech jigs. Duffy Kopf Larry Mothershead This 17 largemouth had 1/2 a full Gator Spoon in his mouth. Yahara Fishing Club Membership Application Name Street P.O. Box 3271 Madison, WI City State Zip Annual Dues: Individual...$25 Family...$35 Youth Member...Free (with paid membership) Except for special Summer On the water dates, meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Lakeside VFW Hall, John Nolan Dr, & Lakeside St. in Madison. An Organization to Educate, Protect and Propagate the Interests of All Fishermen in the Yahara Basin Area Including all of Madison s Lakes 7

8 November Events The next meeting is on Tuesday, November 8th, at the VFW Hall The General Membership meeting starts at 7:00 pm. Next Speaker: Guy Ringle - February Ice Fishing Outing Calendar of Upcoming Events November 8th VFW Hall - Guy Ringle who will talk about our planned Green Bay Ice Fishing Outing scheduled for February. November 10th Lake Mendota Walleye. See notes page 4. December Events December 13th VFW Hall - Annual Christmas meeting The Yahara Fishing Club s doors are open to EVERYONE, so invite a friend to the meeting! President - Charlie Grimm Vice Pres. - Don Hammes Secretary - Paul Nichols Treasurer - Dennis Puser Director - Tom Wilke Director - Jeff Wydeven Director - Jesse Tougas Director - Tom Klein Director - Roger Swenson Director - Jim Kloth Director - Karlette Schoen Check out our web page at: Yahara Fishing Club P.O. Box 3271 Madison, WI 53704

Stan Nichols Madison Fishing Expo February 27- March 1

Stan Nichols Madison Fishing Expo February 27- March 1 J a n u a r y 2 0 1 5 Editors: Tom Raschke (tomraschke50@gmail.com) or 608-219-9243 Stan Nichols (sanicho1@facstaff.wisc.edu) Club Web site: http://www.yaharafishingclub.org Three New YFC Board Members