Smith: Bank pole fishing presents new challenge for veteran anglers

A fishing report from the Lower Wisconsin River in Gotham and nearby areas describes a lesser-known technique: bank pole fishing. The outing follows Tony Grabski and Mark Peck setting 10 bank poles the evening before, with Wisconsin regulations limiting anglers to five per person. Each pole is 8 feet long and uses 9 feet of heavy dacron line, baited with live bluegill on circle hooks. The group checks for results, then plans to troll later for species such as walleye, smallmouth bass, freshwater drum and saugers. The article situates the practice within the Riverway’s conservation and geography, noting the lower river runs free of hydroelectric dams between Prairie du Sac and Prairie du Chien.