diving/spearing oct 7 wisconsin

[Jon]

Looks like a few of us might head up to Wood Lake this Saturday for a bit of spearing. The lake isn't that deep, but great for fish and one of the better spots to dive these days.

Wood lake is in Marquette County and is just south of the town of Coloma. That should be somewhat central to everyone on here- and something different than Wazee.

Here's a map of the lake and you can look up directions on your own. If you don't have a gun we might have a couple extra pole spears you could borrow- but don't forget your fishing license.

Jon

 

[Trident]

Alright! I can finally make an outing!:wave

Is there boat traffic on the lake will we need our floats?

 

[Jon]

You always need flags and floats so you don't get run down.

Hope to see you there.

Jon

 

[Jon]

We'll meet at the boat launch on Wood Lake at 10 am and go from there. It's a nice small lake without a ton of boat traffic, especially this time of year, so it should be pretty nice. It sounds like there will be about a half dozen of us there.

If we get bored there are a ton of other laks up there for spearing, and diving. It has to be one of the top spots in the state for spearfishing lakes.

Jon

 

[Pinggene]

So,

Any photos from the outing? I went up North & did some grouse hunting, so was unable to make it.

Let me know how it went, what the visability was like and what fish you got.

Thanks,

Gene, Oshkosh

 

[Jon]

Ted and I had a nice day of diving- everyone else had to back out at the last minute. Water was 59 degrees and the vis was 15'-20'. The sun was out and the air was a balmy, for October, 73 degrees.

The lake is pretty amazing in that it has no invasive speices in it at all- no carp, zebra mussels, or Eurasian milfoil. It has to be one of the prettiest lakes I've dove in. It's small and deep, for a lake of it's size. It's also clear, which made it hard to fish. There where big fish, that we can't shoot, schools of small trout when you first jump in, which you really can't shoot:naughty , and most of the pan fish are small- as the anglers can pick them off th cribs due to the great vis.

In the end Ted got one decent crappie and a couple other mid size panfish. I saw a bunch of fish but nothing big enough to get a decent filet off of so I never even shot my gun. I did find a nice anchor along the way so no one went away empty handed.

There are other lakes in the area that are easier to hunt, but I don't know that I have seen any much prettier than Wood Lake.

Who's up for diving next Sunday?

Jon

 

[Pinggene]

Jon,

Sounds like you had a great time, sorry I missed out. I had fun wrestling with the blackburry bushes...My arms are in shreds...oh well.rofl

I'm unable to go on Sundays due to religious beliefs, but keep me informed on the outings you are doing. I'm planning on attending the ice dive the 2nd weekend in Feb.

Also, I'm needing to wait until after Christmas for Santa to get me that nice freediving suit we discussed. The one I have is a cheapo nylon inner & outer, which keeps me nice and COLD! :head Oh well, live & learn.

Happy spearing to all!

Gene, Oshkosh, WI

 

[donmoore]

That is a nice lake Jon. How are you and Ted doing these day? I wish there were some nice mountain lakes where I live. Haven’t been out in 2 weeks and the forecast doesn’t look good for as long as it goes. Oh well, at least I found someone locally to go to the pool with.
don

 

[Trident]

Jon-
Do you have another lake a little further south???? I am gonna try AGAIN to get out with you guys this Sunday if you are going. I have a 100cm single band gun (prob a little to big) and a couple of pole spears.

One of which is my new Manny Puig Spear which I can't wait to unleash on some poor unsuspecting little pan fish... the fishy will probably disintergrate when I hit 'em rofl

 

[Pinggene]

My son & I had a blast a couple of months ago in Oconomowoc, I believe the lake was either Lac La Belle or Fowler Lake. It was just above a small dam. We could see about 20' in some locations. Should be even better now.

Good luck,

Gene, Oshkosh

 

[Jon]

Hey Don,

We're both doing pretty good. I'm staying busy with the family and Ted just got over his busy season at work. I heard a pretty good story about your new Wong speargun - gotten many fish with it so far?

20' of vis in lake LaBelle is prety good- and closer to me. There are a few other lakes out that way that are pretty nice- Beaver Lake comes to mind.

There are a few other lakes up in the same area of wood lake. Pearl lake is nice- and NOT to be confused with the Pearl lake in norhtern Illinois that has a ban on all snorkeling and freediving!:vangry It's within 3 miles of Red granite quarry, where most of the scuba divers end up going, and has very little boat traffic on it form the times I've dove it. I also remember it being a lot easier to hunt.

I'm not sure what Ted is up for, but there are enough people post on here form this area that we should be able to get a group together. Saturday is out for me due to family obligations, but Sunday is wide open.

Jon

 

[Trident]

Jon
Did you mean Lake Lac LaBelle near waukesha?

 

[Pinggene]

Yes,

Lake Lac Le Belle in Waukesha County, however, I believe it was in Oconomowoc, so it may have been Foweler lake (sp). They were harvesting weeds at one end. We were in a bay with a lot of weeds where some small sailboats were sailing. It was all shallow water stuff <12', but it was nice with the water clarity. We went off a public boat launch which was next to a small park area...hope that helps.

Again, this was about 4 months ago.

Gene

 

[Jon]

I missed the four months ago part. Rifght now I'm trying to find lakes that have good vis right now.

With the cold weather we are having right now the Madison lakes shuld be turning early this year- bottom temos are 12C right now so there's not much more to go before the flip. The nice part is that they will still be some what warm when they do- for a change.

Moose lake used to be really nice for diving in- before the resort got sold off and the whole place went condo.:head Pine is a great lake but a boat is a must out there. Beaver lake is good but a kayak makes it more fun, otherwise there is a LONG swim in fairly shallow water to get to the good part. Florence lake is nice, but there's only private access so i haven't been able to dive it in years. All of these, plus many more, are all within that Oconomwoc area.

Jon

 

[Jon]

So is anyone diving tomorrow?

Looks like everyone bailed on me and the weather should be pretty nice out.

Jon

 

[Pinggene]

Jon,

So, did you go out diving over the weekend? If so, how was it? Vizability any better?

Best lake, by far, that I found was Crystal Lake in Sheboygan County. Not the best spearing lake...there were a few blue gill & Perch, but it was clear all Summer Long...Visability in AM, before boat trafic or wind was usually about 15'. I can't wait to try it in the Spring. I bet it will be pushing 30'. Two different people told me there were carp in the lake, but after 5 - 6 times out, we never saw any. Any guesses on where they go during the summer? I even tried with my AquaView in the 60' hole, but did not see any there either.

Oh well. I'm done for the season until I get a new open cell freediving suit. I'll be at the ice dive 2nd weekend in Feb. Don't know if I'll go in, but I'll be there. What should we bring? Does everyone bring a dish to pass for food?

Good luck to all,

Gene

 

[Jon]

I had no one to dive with so I went hiking with my family instead. It ws fun, but the lakes looked great and the wind, finally, died down so it warmed up a bit.

You could bring something to pass- I prefer anything baked with chocolate in it.

If you want to scba dive, providing your certified in ice diving, the cost is $25 for the day. Freedivers can tag along for free. We'll let the scuba divers go in first, so they can do the hard work, and then we will jump in after they go in to take a break. I'll post more when it gets closer.

In the mean time, this is one of the best times of year to dive around here.

Jon

 

[Pinggene]

Jon,

Sounds great. I'm looking forward to the ice dive.

Do you want me to see if I can get some type of shelter & heater lined up? I work with a large Mechanical Contractor & we have heaters that put out a lot of BTU's. I'm sure I could get a shelter (with sides) from our Boy Scout troop at church that could be set up out near the dive location.

What are your thoughts on visiters just coming to watch? I have a larger family (2 married) & a few interested friends. Also, is the ice fishing any good on the lake?

Thanks,

Gene

 

[Jon]

No need for extra shelter- we hav things pretty tricked out after doing this for over 20 years. We have a heated park shelter as well as other heated shelters out on the ice. We also have heated argon for the drysuit divers and coolers of hot water to wamr up cold finger and frozen regulators/cameras.

Extra people are always wlecome, but you'll need to call ahead closer to the event to see about how much food we have- always lots of food on these days.

BTW: water temps are still in the high 50's so if you have a wetsuit you can still dive throughout the fall.
Jon

 

[Pinggene]

Jon,

Unfortunately, my 2mm Fleet Farm Special wet suit is less than what I need for right now...even with the 3mm vested hoodie, I still get cold. :vangry

Perhaps I'm just cold blooded, I don't know. I can't wait until I get a 5mm open cell & can talk of being toasty warm.

Good luck to all.

Hey Jon, did you guys start the underwater hockey? If yes, where & when?

Thanks. I might try to make 1 or 2 if I can.

Gene