Summer is in full swing, and the fish have started to heat up! Water temps are around 80 degrees all over Madison, and we have at least two more hot months in front of us. We are pretty much at the point where muskies should not be targeted. Water temps 80 degrees and higher have been shown to increase fish fatality after a catch. Don’t worry, there are plenty of other fish to target here in Madison that will be tons of fun for the rest of the summer. If you are hungry for

Summer is officially here, and with it come warm water temps and that signature "green" Madison water. With these warm water temperatures the fishing has been fairly decent. Panfish action has been hot as the spawn continues on both lakes Waubesa and Monona. Simple slip bobber rigs with live or artificial baits have been on fire, as well as utilizing less conventional tactics such as fly fishing. Bass action has been fantastic with the majority of fish coming off the spawn lo

Today I had the privilege and honor of guiding for an incredible organization called Take A Vet Fishing. This organization is all about a day of giving back to those who have served in our military by taking them out for a fun day on the water. No worries, no stress, just fishing and enjoying each others companionship. This event was launched out of Babcock Park in McFarland on Lake Waubesa and hosted over 150 veterans out of 78 boats, with the TMAE pontoon as part of the fie

I’ll never forget growing up fishing on Grandpa’s dock, sitting anxiously holding a fishing pole rigged with a hook and worm, waiting for a hand sized blue gill to bend the tip of my rod. Grandpa always used to say that the bluegills would bite the best in the evening and early morning. This translates to around 5-9 am and pm depending on the region and time of year. Periods of light transition are well known feeding times for just about all fish species. Many fishermen r

So you have a trip coming up, and you might have time to squeeze in some fishing. What will you do? Hire a guide or execute your best solo effort? What gear will you bring? How are you traveling? These are all just a few, but important questions to ask when prepping for a potential trip. And with a little forethought, you can execute a short fishing trip successfully. Finding time is crucial, and I’m going to help you break down the possibilities so you can make the best c

Well folks, summer is FINALLY here and that means farmers markets, grilling, boating, and drinking on the patio. I love this time of year for beer- session IPAs, refreshing Hefeweizens, and tangy sours start rolling out. Oh, and how could I forget, outdoor beer fests are upon us!!! My May beer fest of the month was Bacon and Barrels in San Diego. Don’t worry, I’ve already put in an official bid for Madison as a site change for B&B 2017. People there were surprised I tra

Do you fish in the Madison, WI area? Want a free guided fishing trip?? Well we have a simple free contest that you can enter to win a guided fishing trip in Madison, WI for you and up to 4 other people! We want to see your Madison Angling success! Send us a picture or video of any fish you catch fishing any of the Madison lakes. Every picture or video you share with us qualifies as an entry into a drawing for a free full day guided fishing trip. There is no limit to the amou

The weed cutters have already started their routes along the weed beds of the Madison lakes. With water temps already in the 70’s, weeds will continue to grow. More important to note however is that with the unusually long period of clear water we have had, deep weed growth should be very good this year. Look for fish to start utilizing weed beds in greater than 10 to 15 feet of water. Right now Bluegills are providing a ton of fun action in the shallows as they are beddin