[datewithmidnight]

My buddy's relative has a cottage on the Waupaca Chain o'lakes and a boat, so its nice to go up here and get a fun weekend of fishing in. We have gone that last two years now, and last year we did not have much success with a warm front that pushed in. Here's the story:

We were definitely excited to get fishing out on the lake and with a nice cold front pushing in... we knew fishing would heat up for the night. It started raining about 15 minutes before we arrived, but of course rain will not stop us. The first bad thing that we find is the boat is full of water. We decided to take some buckets and get the water out. It did not take too long or deter us from our adventure... but the motor would. A few pulls and no sounds of firing... well after about 2 hours of screwing with it, we decided to say screw it, we will row out to the a point in the morning and possibly rent a boat. Went to the wheelhouse for some awesome chili!!!! and a great BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Made us feel a lot better and ready for the morning. The morning was nice and cold, but we went out for about an hour, caught a bass and then headed to the marina to rent a boat.

The boat was not too expensive, about $100 for a day and a half. So finally, we got out for a good time of fishing. Fished many different lures and minnows since it was a good 40° out when it was 75° the day before. I have never caught a pike before, and my first one was HUGE!!!

Well not really, but my first pike, of course it is this size... he had a nice lunch on a minnow.


Decided to push on and went to a smaller lake that his relatives always have good success at. Ended up picking up two more pike between the two of us... and this time we caught the small pike's brother... Dave



All in all, it was a great time catching these fish, since I do not get out fishing for Pike much. As we moved on, My buddy Brandon caught one more pike right before the end of the night. Called it a night, had a great spaghetti dinner, and then woke up again for another frigid 30° morning. We bundled up, and headed out and no pike were caught this day, but a few bass were caught on chatterbaits, and red devils... pictures are below of some of the random fish we caught on the trip.









8 fish overall, a lot better than last year... not the success that our fellow chi-town angler Fishin Matt gets... you're going to have to help me on the secret of catching fish in these lakes. But yes, a great time... nothing better than a frigid sunset. This is why I love being on a boat on the lake. Good fall fishing!!!

[husker]

Nice report Travis. How did the old bird work out for you guys?

[Bubbalouie]

Thanks for the cheerful report. Sounds like you had a good time and caught your first pike too. I'm sure there will be many more to come-

best wishes for big fishes,

Bruce

[FishinMatt]

I'm glad you had a good time Travis. I would imagine the Fall bite being tough there, but by the looks of your pics, you guys managed to get on some fish. It was really cool seeing the backgrounds of all the spots. You definitly were in some areas that I know holds good amounts fish when I am up there in the summertime. Hopefully next time is even better for you guys.

[datewithmidnight]

Ken,

The bird worked well... definitely helped us out a lot, understanding where the dropoffs were and everything. Thanks again for letting us borrow it. I will probably be at the pond this saturday, sometime in the afternoon, just let me know when you want to meet up so I can return it.

Matt,

We fished Miner and Dake, Missed a very nice pike at Miner off a green/dark green chatterbait. He hit it, let it go, and then hit it again, but didn't take it. He was a nice size one. Youngs is where we got most of our pike, and one in Round. Columbia we got the most bass. We fished a lot in 8 to 15 ft range. Is that what you usually fish when you go up there? I would like to double the amount of fish next year... I think we are starting to find some spots that work for us.

Hopefully, more big fishes will come next year.

[strobs]

Nice Trip, Travis ! Looks like you'll be back.

[FishinMatt]

Travis, that sounds about right. In the summer we find them shallower sometimes for the first hour or so of daylight then it mostly is a deeper bite anywhere from 8-25 feet. Any steady drop holding green weeds is a fish holding possibility. Areas like Long Lake Cove, the mouth and adjacent sandbar to the Crystal River, and the Emmons Creek mouth are some spots to maybe check out if you have not already. Also Round Lake to me is the best sleeper lake on the chain. Find the scattered deep weeds located randomly on the first breakline and you are set. Its also the best place on the chain to target walleye IMO.