D&S Bait,Tackle & Fly Shop

D&S Madison Area Fishing Report - June 5th, 2026
This weekend is the DNR's free fishing weekend which means you don't need a fishing license AND the Yahara Fishing Club's Free Kid's Fishing event is happening TOMORROW 9-12:00 at the Warner Park Rainbow Shelter.

As far as fishing goes, even though water temps are coming up, "shallow" will continue to be a common theme in the report again this week. We are in full spawn-mode here on the Madison Chain. Crappies are pretty much done doing their thing. Bass are on beds or just finishing up and Bluegills are also on beds across most of the chain. Otherwise, Walleye are moving deeper during the day but definitely being found up shallow during low light periods and I've just this week heard reports of them on mid-lake humps which is common as we move into summer. As usual, Pike are pretty much everywhere and while I have heard about a few fish being caught, Musky action remains pretty slow. The Catfish bite down the road at the 113 bridges continues to be good and since we've stayed dry again this week, our area rivers and creeks are at very fishable levels.

Madison Area Fishing Report - May 29th, 2026
Generally speaking, even though water temps are coming up, "shallow" will continue to be a common thread in the report again this week. We are in full spawn-mode here on the Madison Chain. Crappies are pretty much done doing their thing. Bass are on beds or just finishing up and Bluegills are also on beds across the lower chain and just starting to set up beds on Mendota. I would again just like to encourage folks fishing beds to release those fish during this vulnerable time so we can keep the fantastic fishery we have here in the Madison area going. Walleye are moving deeper during the day but definitely being found up shallow during low light periods. As usual, Pike are pretty much everywhere and while I've heard about a few fish being caught, Musky action remains pretty slow. The Catfish bite at the bridges down the road continues to be good and since we've stayed pretty dry, our area rivers and creeks are at very fishable levels.
Thanks for tuning in and good luck out there!

Got more Prickly Pears in! The last batch sold out in two days. How long do you think these will last? Get ‘em while you can! 🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️🏃🏾

I haven’t been able to get on the creek much this spring so today felt GREAT! I feel like I saw every kind of bug coming off but the foam flying ant was 🔥🔥🔥

D&S Madison Area Fishing Report - May 22nd, 2025
Happy Memorial Day Weekend, everyone! We had a warm start to the week but cooler temps and wind moved in and kept a lot of folks off the water for much of the week. Generally speaking, "shallow" will continue to be the common thread in the report again this week. Most bays and inlets are holding Panfish this time of year and several species are getting into spawn mode. The Crappies that were staging in a little deeper water last week have moved into the shallows to spawn. I've heard about LMB on some beds on the lower chain and even a few reports of Gills moving in to spawning areas. Of course Walleye spawned a while ago but most of the action I've been hearing about continues to be in 10 FOW or less during low light periods. During the day you'll probably find them a little deeper on but a lot of times they'll stay in warmer shallower water and seek the cover of weeds when it's bright. As usual, Pike are pretty much everywhere and while I've heard about a few fish being caught, Musky action remains pretty slow. The Catfish bite at the bridges down the road continues to be good since we've stayed pretty dry, our area rivers and creeks are at very fishable levels.

D&S Madison Area Fishing Report - May 15th 2026
With all the wind and cooler temps not a lot of folks out on the Madison Chain this last week but outside of some Crappies that have been hanging out a little deeper lately, "shallow" is going to be a very common theme in the report again this week. Most bays and inlets are holding Panfish this time of year and Bass action has also been good in those same areas. Most of the Walleye action I've been hearing about has been in 10 FOW or less during low light periods. The water across the chain is running pretty clear so you'll probably find them a little deeper on a sunny day or a lot of times they'll stay shallow and seek the cover of weeds when it's bright. As usual, Pike are pretty much everywhere but I haven't heard much from the Musky crowd. The Catfish bite at the bridges down the road continues to be good and after a dry week, our area rivers and creeks are at very fishable levels.

Madison Area Fishing Report - May 8th, 2026
How was opening weekend for you? Reports I heard were mixed as usual with most folks chasing Walleye. A lot of folks who didn't do well blamed the cold...and it was chilly for sure but I also heard several great reports. The one thing all the good reports had in common was that they were fishing shallow. Certainly less than 10' but many were getting fish in less than 5' and I'm sure you'll notice that "shallow" is going to be a very common theme in this report. Otherwise most bays and inlets are holding Panfish this time of year and Bass action has also been good in those same areas. If there are Panfish around you'll probably find some fish with teeth hanging out too. The Catfish bite at the bridges down the road continues to be good and after a dry week, our area rivers and creeks are back to fishable levels.