Smith: Pandemic changes plans, but not pleasure, of 2020 fishing opener

HARTLAND - As a plan B, Beaver Lake was making a strong argument to be in the starting line-up.

At sunrise Saturday a soft southerly breeze rippled the gin clear water. Wood ducks and red-breasted mergansers winged through the air space.

Just four other fishing boats worked the 327-acre lake.

The only living thing that came within touching distance was a smallmouth bass. And that was my idea.

If you can have solitude on a southeastern Wisconsin lake on opening day of the Wisconsin fishing season, this was it.

I released a second smallmouth and sat still in my kayak to let the moment soak in.

No, this wasn't the original plan, but it was an awfully good start to the season.

The coronavirus pandemic threw a wrench into our lives this spring. Two months ago I was scheduled to take part in the Governor's Fishing Opener on the Chippewa Flowage near Hayward.

The annual tradition, started by Gov. Warren Knowles in 1965, is a great way to celebrate fishing and tourism and Wisconsin culture.

But it was canceled this year for the first time in its history, a casualty of a global health crisis.

So in keeping with Gov. Tony Evers' Safer-at-Home order, I made a plan to fish close-to-home. It really wasn't a sacrifice.

We are extremely fortunate to live in Wisconsin for many reasons.

Exhibit A is all around and under us – water.

For residents of southeastern Wisconsin, there's a long list of nearby waters that offer quality fishing.

I chose Beaver Lake because it has a good fish population and it has carry in-only public access that typically results in limited fishing pressure.

In a era where social distancing is the mantra, I reasoned Beaver would fit the bill.

I pulled into the public access area at 5:30 a.m. and was the fourth car in the 10-stall parking lot.

I carried a kayak, paddle, two spinning rods and a bag of lures down to the water and set off on a different type of opening day experience.

Beaver is a spring-fed lake with only one outlet, which connects to Pine Lake to the west. The bottom consists mostly of sand, marl and rock, according to a 2017 assessment performed for Friends of Beaver Lake.

The lake has exceptionally clear water throughout most of the year; its average depth is 17.4 feet and its maximum is 52. Fish cribs, or artificial structures, have been placed in the lake at more than a dozen sites.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are the most common game fish, followed by northern pike and walleye. Bluegill and black crappie are the primary panfish.

My idea was to target bass on the deep-water edges of flats. When I found two areas with rocky bottoms, a crayfish imitation soft plastic drew immediate strikes from smallmouth.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused a rewrite of rules around the globe as health agencies and governmental officials attempt to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The conditions have wreaked havoc on the nation's health care system and economy.

Here in Wisconsin, schools and many businesses have been closed under a Safer-at-Home order, which prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people.

The list of cancellations of events is longer than that caused by a lifetime of Wisconsin snow storms. 

But in a time of widespread turmoil, more people have turned to outdoor recreation to bolster their health and wellness, and, at least in the case of fishing, their food supply.

And for the record, fishing is allowed, even encouraged, under Gov. Evers' order.

The edict recognizes fishing and other forms of outdoor recreation as essential activities. 

The public has responded to the opportunity. As of April 30, the Department of Natural Resources sold 371,368 fishing licenses, a 24% year-over-year increase, according to agency data.

The total does not include conservation patron and combo sports licenses. The agency typical sells about 1.3 million fishing licenses annually; the 2020-21 license year started April 1.

Anglers are accustomed to following regulations such as bag and size limits to help protect the resource. 

This year the opener came with behavior guidelines, too, to help protect people. 

The three primary recommendations have been to avoid crowds, keep at least 6 feet of space between other anglers and to recreate "in your community."

Mike Smith, co-owner of Dick Smith's Live Bait and Tackle in Delafield, said Friday was extremely busy at his shop as anglers purchased bait and supplies for the opener. 

Smith said it was his impression that a lot more anglers planned to stay and fish in southeastern Wisconsin this year. 

During a Friday press call, DNR Secretary Preston Cole noted Wisconsin has 15,000 lakes and 84,000 miles of rivers and streams.

"There has to be (a place to fish) close to you," Cole said. "And we believe we can practice social distancing among all those places to fish and stay away from crowds."

Cole encouraged anglers to practice the lessons learned over the last month to stay safe.

"Getting outdoors and practicing social distancing is the way to go," Cole said. "Good luck fishing."

There was no difficulty with crowding at Beaver on Saturday morning. At 7 a.m. seven anglers were spread around the lake.

Brothers Glenn Lee of West Allis and Darryl Lee of Pewaukee launched an inflatable boat and hooked up a 2.2-horse-power outboard to it to slowly motor around the lake.

Unlike me, the Lees have a tradition of starting the season at Beaver.

"We like it, it's not busy early in the season," said Glenn Lee, 60. "We know the spots we like to hit and usually have some luck."

Lee said they hoped to connect with crappies Saturday.

Also on the lake at sunrise were Mick Lewski, 18, of Oak Creek and Isaiah Wolk, 19, of St. Francis. They launched kayaks and paddled off to see what they could find.

What was available in abundance was quiet and space. 

Wildlife, too, was plentiful. A mature bald eagle flew to branch on an oak tree along the shore and was quickly mobbed by American crows. 

Pairs of wood ducks landed in the shallows, perhaps looking for nesting sites in the lake's wooded shoulders.

The pattern of crayfish imitations fished on rocky substrates in about 15 feet of water produced three more smallmouth. The fish were from 10-13 inches in length; all were immediately released.

By 8 a.m. the 10 parking spots were filled at Beaver. Obviously the limits of social distancing were still far from being tested on the 327-acre lake.

The 2020 opener will be noted in history as being held during the coronavirus pandemic and while travel restrictions were in place. 

It will also be remembered for its summery feel. The temperature warmed through the morning in lake country and broke 70 in early afternoon.

And at least for some anglers, the "close to home" guidelines propelled them to a new, quality fishing experience and highlighted the value of the varied lake resources in southeastern Wisconsin.