Fox River

A few more...

Had a fun day on the river.

Ned Rigs, Carolina Rigs, and minnows under a float. 

Fishing wasn't on fire, but enough to keep a guy's interest.

Caught a dozen or so Rockies, 1 Walleye, couple gills, 2 LM Bass, and around 6 smallies. 

First outing of the year on the Fox with two close buds. 

Sounds like a great day BK! I was working..

Funny story from Waterford tonight.  I hooked a plastic bag, and when I pulled it in there was a fillet in it.  I guess someone was trying to make catching a meal pretty easy.  I passed on the fillet.  

My son and I had a decent night, mix of smallmouth and largemouth and a few other fish.  Always a good time fishing with family.   

Took a buddy from work out today on the Fox, launching at the JB bridge. Tried for cats moving around a lot. Couldn't kick that skunk outta the boat. Only saw one other boat angler out there at the time. We waved to him and said "Hey" as ALL OF US are taught to do as FINE SPORTSMAN. He did not return the gesture and instead angrily sped around us as if he had just bought the river yesterday and we were in his way. Gentlemen. Ladies. Don't be like this guy. Sigh.

My friend really enjoyed the day as he had not been out fishing in 2 years. This recent cold spell really put the bite down. Hoping I can get him out again in a couple of weeks when the bite improves. We got to watch a very pretty reddish-colored mink run around on the river bank looking for a meal. He kept stopping to check us out. You never know what you'll see on the river. So many different animals that I've seen over the years yet I am always amazed at the beauty. 

Tight lines everyone!

Spent some time at Rochester and Waterford this morning.  There was a large group of people cleaning up the Case Eagle Park.  Thanks to those who braved the crummy weather to make the park a little cleaner today.  Caught a few small northerns, two dogfish, and a white bass; all on crank baits.  

Fished the Waterford Dam today.  Hoping for a spring walleye and ended up with a mixed bag of panfish, a drum, and a decent smallmouth.  My son had fun, so the trip was a success.  Noticed what some people were posting in the Tichigan thread regarding dead bluegills floating down the river.  I did see a few dead bluegills floating down the river as well.  Water is noticeably warm for mid April. 

That’s awesome! Way to get it done - love it!

Came fishing over here today after striking out over at Fort Atkinson.  Started our fishing session at 2:30pm and fished until 5:30pm.  The water is somewhat high and muddy today.  Me and my son got to our spot and started throwing a beetle spin as my reasoning behind this is cause the fish are having trouble finding our baits because of the muddy waters and boy did it pay off.  It was a pretty fun day of fishing for us, with 8 eaters landed.  The males were not milking but the females are still full of eggs.  My guess we'll have a few more weeks of this with the cold front coming next week.  Good luck and tight lines everyone! 

Late report.
Got these 2 eyes last week in March along with a few small perch. I’ve been chasing big mamas up in De Pere and Green Bay so haven’t been out around here lately. 
Small jig and plastic.

.

An old man's perspective.
There are NO public boat-on-trailer launches between the Waterford dam and the Rochester dam.  There are a number of carry-in (kayak, canoe, very small boat) locations in the area:  one at Rochester and several at Waterford.  There are signs in place denoting these spots.

There is ONE Waterford  public launch  (for all-sized boats on the Fox River, but it is located ABOVE the Waterford dam and allows access to the river north of Waterford and to Lake Tichigan. This launch has a limited number of boat/trailer parking slots and a city $$$ fee for its use. 

The only DNR free, all-sized boat launch in the area is W of Lake Tichigan on N. Bridge Road.

Simply put, if you have a boat and trailer outfit, you have NO public place to launch BETWEEN the two dams. A detailed map of this area with marked Canoe/Kayak launch spots is available at Waterford City Hall.

NOTE:  There is a canal (Wind Lake Drainage Canal) that drains into the Fox crossing Rochester St. on the east side parallel to Main St.  Years ago there was a regular boat launch there, but was on private property and used by emergency vehicles for access to the river.  It may still be there for use only in an emergency.

Svitrium

I have some info that may answer your question about access to the Fox River around Rochester.  I do not know what may be available near the Waterford dam.  But there is canoe/kayak access in downtown Rochester at the fire lane on the downstream end of the small park as shown in the picture.  The fire lane is "no parking", so you have to park along the side of Front Street.  The fire lane is the only part of park shore that is not heavily rip-rapped (as of 2 years ago).  There may also be walk-in access at the baseball diamonds about a mile upstream on the east side of the river.

Wally

svitreum, It is off Bridge Drive, above the Waterford dam. It's a DNR launch on the river that allows you to get to Tichigan. There used to be a private launch behind some of the apartments but not sure if that was available to the public. The walk in launch is in the park in Rochester for carry in boats.

Bullman, just where is this public boat launch? I have never found a launch anywhere from the Rochester dam up to Waterford. Thanks in advance.