[MuskyFan]

First time in many years that the park pulled the docks from Wellman. Have no idea why but makes for a very difficult day launching/loading a deep v fiberglass hull when there is nowhere to pull up on the bank, especially running solo. The kayak launch toward the dam is full of rocks and the one east is sand/mud but too shallow to get to the bank.

Anyone know why the docks were pulled this year? Something the park knows that we don't? Wish they would put some $$$$ into that ramp and add a couple pilings with docks. At least clear out some bank area to pull up on.

 

[crappiedude]

They pulled the docks at EF just after Labor Day years ago, so I stopped in the park office and asked the park manager why they did that. His answer was summer was over and they had a rare chance to pull the docks because they had an extra work crew available that week. His face kind of went blank when I told him that lots of hunters and fishermen would still be on the water until ice forced us off the water. He was a new manager and didn't consider all the folks who would still be using the lake for the rest of the year.
The next time I went to the lake a partial dock had been reinstalled.
My suggestion is to stop in the park office and see what's going on, could just be a new guy.

 

[sjwano]

I don't have an answer to why the CC ramps at Wellman were taken out, but wanted to note that the Furnas Shores ramp also has the docks out. I found out the hard way last Friday, went to the North pool ramp which was still under normal conditions. BTW how was the fishing? It was slow when I was out foir me (just a few hours late afternoon). Saw a few crappies being pulled on deep timber. I was casting/trolling for a bass or muskie bite.

 

[MuskyFan]

Had one musky actively follow a double 10 cowgirl but couldn't get it to eat after 5-6 figure 8's and loops. Fish was shallow, too. Wish I was off this Friday...70's then the bottom drops out for Saturday morning.

 

[sjwano]

I swear I had a Muskie surface near me and then gone in a flash. Not a follow, just a fish up shallow. I ran out of patience and started throwing small swim baits and drop shots later so it was a brief Muskie attempt.

 

[MuskyFan]

I swear I had a Muskie surface near me and then gone in a flash. Not a follow, just a fish up shallow. I ran out of patience and started throwing small swim baits and drop shots later so it was a brief Muskie attempt.

They porpoise a lot. No one is sure why. My thought is that it's their way of saying "we're here. good luck, sucka!"

 

[sjwano]

Anyone know of the docks at the campground or Haines rd are still in? Was thinking about braving the rain tomorrow…

 

[Troy Dave]

Campground docks came out with Wellmans. Haines Rd is permanent concrete although there may not be much water there at winter pool. Kind of silted in at the dock. North ramp docks are supposed to stay in all winter.

 

[Harry1959]

Used north pool ramps yesterday . Caught 20-25 crappie in about 3 -4 hours. Kept 14. 15-17 ft deep

 

[LoramieFish12]

Went out of Wellman on Monday. If anyone goes out of there yet this year, there is a deeper approach to the bank with little to no rocks on the east side of the ramp. May want some boots to hop in and out though.

 

[sjwano]

Catch anything?

 

[LoramieFish12]

Nothing, was seeing massive schools of 2-3 inch shad though out in 15-20 ft of water. Also lots of schools of those 2-3 inch shad shallow too in 3-5 ft of water. I snagged about 10 of them with a glide bait.

Only found one school of larger shad, but no musky roaming around them. Going back out tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Harry1959]

Went out of Wellman on Monday. If anyone goes out of there yet this year, there is a deeper approach to the bank with little to no rocks on the east side of the ramp. May want some boots to hop in and out though.

another reminder that docks are still in north pool

 

[burnsj5]

Not worth using Wellman without the docks in my opinion. I used Wellman today knowing docks were out and it wasn't the worst thing but not worth risking slipping and falling, the boat being beached on the ramp or near shore knocking the transducer off etc. Should have made the extra few minutes to north pool. I didn't consider how bad it would be with the water so low too but once I was there said screw it and just launched.

Water temps 48 most places. Raised 3 musky and buddy in his boat raised 2.

 

[LoramieFish12]

Went out yesterday from 12-8 PM

Saw a ton of fish. Only 2 fish follow to the 8, but saw about another 10 on the livescope follow up to the boat. Had about 4 fish just stare at the bait while v-jigging for 2-4 minutes. They'd follow high, follow low, nose up to it, but couldn't get any to eat.

Switched to trolling to find hungry fish, and marked a bunch of fish on side scan and sonar. Smaller musky marks were shallow related to bait, bigger marks deeper (20-30 ft) related to bait. No eaters so we fished through the evening. Finally got a fat 40" to eat trolling around 6:00. Marked fish through the whole evening. Saw a BIG girl at the end jigging a point, but didn't give the time of day to look at my jig.

 

[sjwano]

Stopped by Haines rd ramp this afternoon. Tiny bit of ice left near the ramp but the main channel was moving. Lake is down as normal, good time to scout and drop a line in. Bring your mud boots