“I like to target bends and edges of the old river channel,” said Karch, “and will always fish flooded timber if I can find it.”

One of Karch’s favorite areas is the ice around Long View Point. He also likes to work the edges of Barnum Bay. He prefers to poke six holes with a power auger, quickly checking for fish with his flasher unit.

“If the fish are down, there I’ll drop a Jigging Rapala or Swedish Pimple in front of them,” Karch said. “If the blips on the flasher are walleyes, they’ll either bump the bait or end up getting hooked. If they follow the bait but won’t hit it, they are probably perch. I like using smaller Jigging Raps. The No. 3 in orange/gold or fire-tiger is my favorite.”

If no active fish are found, Karch will run about 1/10-mile down the flowage and repeat the procedure.

“Eventually you’ll find them,” he said. “Then it’s time to set out the tip-ups and get serious.”

Karch can be reached at (920) 213-0373, or by e-mail at greg.karch@ thrivent.com. Two other Petenwell contacts worth noting are Timberline Bait and Tackle at (715) 325-7662, and Petenwell Sport Shop at (608) 564-7707.

LAKE DUBAY
Lake DuBay is the biggest “sleeper” on the entire Wisconsin River system, maybe because anglers get scared off by the minefield of wood that is a boating nightmare during open-water periods. Caution must still be used on the ice, because current areas that attract walleyes can be covered with unsafe ice.

Local guide Phil Schweik grew up on this water and is on a first-name basis with the more notorious stumps found here. Schweik’s ability to put fish in the boat -- or on the ice -- has earned him the nickname, “The Sultan of DuBay.”

“Some of the best walleye spots are little back bays with no current that you wouldn’t think would hold fish,” Schweik said. “You’ll also find fish up in the river, but caution is important because of uncertain ice conditions.”

First-time visitors to DuBay would be wise in accessing this flowage off of either County Highway C on the flowage’s north end, from the park at County Road E on the south end where the Big Eau Pleine River joins the flowage or on both sides of County DB around Heckel’s Marina, where you can usually ice a mess of crappies and ‘gills while waiting for the walleyes to wake up and start eating.

“Their appetite varies on a day-to-day basis,” Schweik said. “Take both golden shiners and small suckers, and you can cover all the bases.”

Schweik’s Web site is the best source of information for fishing DuBay. You can access it at www.hooksetters.biz.

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Fishing is tough all over Wisconsin right now, but as long as your line is in the water, you’re a weapon. Walleyes may get active on many waters when the cows come home, but there are spots where the hottest action comes after you set those Holsteins free after the morning milking.

Find more about Wisconsin fishing and hunting at: WisconsinSportsmanMag.com