When Wisconsin’s fishing opener arrives (May 3rd), one year it could be 65 degrees and sunny, and the next year could bring 45 degrees with a steady rain. For this reason, I know many people that do not live in the area and miss out on the possibility of incredible fishing. Or do they?  Because of the spawning period, catching fish can be challenging. Spawning is mostly about water temperatures and depending on the species of fish, will occur at different times. From what I was told yesterday (May 3rd), Walleyes that were caught have not spawned yet.

Is there pre-spawn, spawn and post spawn patterns? Is pre-spawn and fishing during spawn a good time to catch fish? This topic has been controversial for a long time. Can catching fish at this time have an impact on spawning? Depending on who you talk to, maybe it isn’t, or it could be the best time to catch fish.

Here is what some anglers might say.
“CATCHING FISH THIS TIME OF YEAR COULD STREES THE FISH AND CAN EFFECT SPAWNING”.
“THIS IS WHEN YOU CAN CATCH THE BIG GIRLS AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CATCHING PRE-SPAWN OR SPAWNING FISH AS LONG AS YOU PRACTICE CATCH & RELEASE”.
Then those who do not fish during this period, will say, “FISH CAUGHT BEFORE OR DURING SPAWN, MIGHT GET DEEP HOOKED AND COULD DIE AFTER BEING RELEASED”.

Who’s right? Ask professional or recreational anglers, if it’s ethical or not to fish before or during spawning? And some will say it’s ok and others say no it’s not. Personally, I DO NOT fish before or during the spawning period for a few reasons I mentioned above but have nothing against angers that do. I think that showed last week when I gave spawning locations.

As I mentioned above, fish spawn at different times and cold fronts can push fish back to deeper water, that can delay spawning. For those who don’t believe in fishing pre-spawn or during spawn, here’s a couple of things to think about. If the DNR thought fishing during this period would hurt fishing, they would prohibit fishing during this time or wouldn’t have opening day the first Saturday in May.

If we waited for all fish species to spawn, we wouldn’t be able to fish until BLUEGILL spawn and that could be the middle of June, right? Next week will be on post spawn locations, how to catch those fish and that should make EVERYONE happy.