Flipping & Pitching Fishing on Chippewa Flowage
Chippewa Flowage · Wisconsin · Midwest
This sprawling 15,300-acre lake system is characterized by thousands of islands, submerged timber, extensive weed beds, and dark, stained water. Its complex structure and wild character make it a unique and challenging fishery for anglers targeting trophy-class bass.
Flipping uses a shortened line for pendulum-style presentations within 15 feet. Pitching covers 15–40 feet with an underhand cast. Both deliver baits silently into docks, laydowns, and grass edges. Big bass in heavy cover are the target — this is where giants live.
Flipping & Pitching Setup for Chippewa Flowage
| Rod | 7'3"–7'6" heavy or extra-heavy casting rod, fast action |
| Reel | 7.1:1–8.1:1 baitcaster |
| Line | 50–65 lb braid or 20–25 lb fluorocarbon |
| Weight | 3/8–1 oz pegged tungsten, matched to cover density |
| Hook | 4/0–5/0 straight shank flipping hook |
Seasonal Tactics on Chippewa Flowage
Lake: As water temperatures climb into the 50s and 60s, bass move into shallow bays and pockets, with largemouth favoring emergent weeds and timber, while smallmouth gravitate towards rocky points and hard bottoms.
Flipping & Pitching: Pitch to buck brush and flooded timber during pre-spawn. Jig or crawfish-colored creature bait.
Lake: During the warmer months, largemouth relate to thick mats of lily pads, wild rice, and heavy wood cover, often in just 2-6 feet of water; smallmouth frequent offshore humps, rock piles, and channel edges in 10-25 feet.
Flipping & Pitching: Punch through grass mats with 1–1.5 oz weights. Fish the shade under mats where big bass hide from heat.
Lake: Bass school and actively chase baitfish in preparation for winter, often moving into shallower river arms and main lake flats, where both species can be found aggressively feeding on crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Flipping & Pitching: Target dock ends and remaining grass. Fish move shallower as water cools.
Lake: Under ice, bass behavior slows significantly, with fish generally positioning deeper near current breaks or holes, becoming less active targets for traditional angling methods until the thaw.
Flipping & Pitching: Slow flip to deep docks and boat lifts. Swim the bait down slowly on the fall.
Best Conditions
Thick grass mats, laydowns, dock pilings, boat houses, flooded bushes; murky water; spawn and post-spawn; summer shade
Watch the line, not the water. Set the hook the instant the line twitches or moves sideways — bass in cover bite and spit fast.
More Techniques for Chippewa Flowage
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