Shore Fishing

by Gary Engberg

July 02, 2000

I write so much about fishing and I forget that many of you who fish do it from shore or while wading. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a boat or access to one, so for many fishing depends on a good spot with accessibility. There are plenty of places in the general area where the bank angler can fish with a good chance of catching fish in pleasant surroundings.

First, let me tell you about some basic rigs and set-ups which will work if fishing from shore or the bank. If fishing at a lake you pretty much have a variety of options. One is casting from shore with any of your favorite lures. Try to cast around logs, stumps, weeds, and drop-offs.Depending on the time of year, you can catch most species of fish. You also can cast a jig with live bait or a plastic twister tail on the jig. This is a all-round way good for most times of the year.

Another good set-up is to rig your rod with a slip bobber and live bait, be it a nightcrawler, leech, or minnow. This is a very good way to fish when on a lake shore, after finding a spot that looks good with some cover. There are bobbers made now that make it easy to cast a good distance from shore. If fishing for panfish, use an ice fishing jig tipped with a few wax worms or spikes. Try working the bobber slowly back and popping it now and then to trigger strikes.

Early in the spring and even through out the year, a plain hook (try VMC), a split shot, and live bait is tough to beat and will catch about anything. Slowly reel the rig back and let it set on the bottom now and then.

If river fishing one has to concentrate on keeping your rig on the bottom because that is where most of the fish will be.This usually means that you have to use more weight to keep your bait from blowing down river. A plain hook tipped with live bait and fished on the bottom in a river will always catch fish. Casting crankbaits and jigs work well, but you have to find the right balance so you are not constantly getting hung up.

Now, you need a few places to fish.Good lake spots are; Crystal and Fish Lakes where you have plenty of good shoreline with cover( logs, stumps, weeds) and plenty of room. Devil's Lake at the south end has plenty of rocks and trout, panfish, and bass can all be caught from shore. Okee on Lake Wisconsin is a spot worth trying in the spring and fall for walleyes.

River spots for bank fishing are; the VFW Park in Prairie Du Sac up toward the dam and down river, the area around the Highway 12 bridge in Sauk City, the area near the old bridge and tressels, and Near the boat landing on Highway Y between Sauk City and Mazomanie. Try some of these spots and you'll be rewarded. Wading can also be very effective in the spring and fall.