Water temps in the Eagle River area are in the mid to upper 60s.  Best all around action coming on the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Musky in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds or weed edges.  Use a bucktail, top water, or crankbait.  All day action with peaks in the evening.  Bite is fair to good.

Walleye in the Eagle River area are tight to bottom in 15 feet of water or less off of break or weed edges.  Use a 1/16th or 1/8th ounce jig with a fathead minnow.  All day bite with peaks in the evening.  Action is good.

Northern in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a Husky Jerk, small bucktail or a bass style spinner bait.  All day action.  Bite is good to excellent.

Bass in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less over sand and gravel bottoms.  Most success is coming on 3 and 4 inch tubes.  You can all get hits using a Sinko rigged wacky.  All day action.  Bite is good to excellent.

Crappies, bluegills and perch in the Eagle River area are in 15 feet of water or less off of break or weed edges, or on the inside and around weeds.  Use a chunk of crawler or a crappie minnow under a small jig or slip bobber.  The perch are tight to bottom, with the crappies and gills suspending right in the weeds.  All day action.  Bite is good to excellent.

(This report based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy).

The post Eagle River Fishing Report: June 17, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

Great action for muskies this past week in the central Wisconsin area.  Most of the action came on twitch baits and bucktails that were worked along current breaks and weed lines in 6 to 12 feet of water.

The walleye bite continues to be very good on central Wisconsin waters, with some very nice sized fish being caught.  Our best producer this past week has been 1/8th and one-quarter ounce jig and minnow combinations worked on the bottom in 8 to 14 feet of water, but we also picked up some nice fish by casting crankbaits to outside weed edges.

If you are looking for action for smallmouth bass in the central Wisconsin area, it has been a very good bite especially on top water baits.  Chub Bugs and Zara Spooks have been working their magic in shallow rocky areas along the shoreline as have shallow running crankbaits in crawfish patterns.

Lots of pan sized bluegills are being caught in the central Wisconsin area.  The bluegills have moved into shallower water in preparation for their upcoming spawn, but to target the larger gills stay out from the shallow “pack” and work the deeper water off the first break from where the majority of fish are holding.  You will find fewer but much larger fish holding there.

Crappies remain active in the central Wisconsin area but are now suspended in their summer deep water locations.  Slip bobbers with minnows suspended below them will now take these roamers all day long.  The hard part is finding them, but by spider rigging from your boat you can cover a lot of area and multiple depths at one time.  Once you find the school, mark it on your GPS and work the area thoroughly to pick up your fish.  For those of you that are unsure of or may have never done any spider rigging here is a great link to get your started.  It really works.  http://www.ehow.com/how 6732273 spider-rig-crappie.html

(This report based on interviews with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee Wisconsin).

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Water temperatures in the Eagle River area are in the upper 50s to low 60s.  Best all around bite in the Eagle River area still coming on the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Musky in the Eagle River area are locating in 8 feet of water or less in and around green weeds.  Use a small glider, Mepps Musky Killer or a twitch bait.  All day bite, with peaks in the evening.  Action is good.

Walleye in the Eagle River area are in 12 feet of water in and around green weeds.  Use a 1/8th or 1/16th ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow.  All day bite, with peaks in the evening.  Action is good to excellent.

Northern in the Eagle River area are locating in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a Husky Jerk (minnow or walleye pattern), small spinner bait, or a northern sucker under a slip bobber.  All day bite, with good to excellent action.

Bass in the Eagle River area (bass are strictly catch-and-release until the harvest season opens on Saturday, June 15th) are in 8 feet of water or less over sand or gravel bottom.  Use a jig and a minnow, plastic worm rigged wacky style or a Mepps #3 Extra Deep.  Good to excellent action.  All day bite.

Crappies, bluegills and perch are in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  The perch are tight to bottom, with the crappies and gills suspending up and down the water column right in the weeds.  Use a crappie minnow or chunk of crawler under a slip bobber or small jig.  All day action.  Bite is excellent.

(This report based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy).

The post Eagle River Fishing Report: June 10, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

Recent rains in the central Wisconsin area have water levels very high and dirty causing a lot of the Wisconsin River fish to relocate to backwater areas.

Walleyes have been very active in the central Wisconsin area, locating in 4 to 8 feet of water, following the recent rains.  Jig and minnow combinations in non-current areas have been the ticket to success.

Bass action in the central Wisconsin area has been very good on the main lake areas where rocks are present.  Jig and beaver tails and crankbaits have been the best producers.

The crappies in the central Wisconsin area have been very active and we are still getting a lot of them holding in 10 to 16 feet of water.  Most of the these crappies are coming on slip bobber rigs set up with tiny minnows, but we are getting a few on Beetle Spins as well.

The bluegills in the central Wisconsin area have started to move into the shallows and can be targeted with a simple worm under a bobber.  Toss the set-up right into shoreline structure and weeds and wait for the bobber to go down.

Musky action in the central Wisconsin area is improving with some nice fish being caught on bucktails and twitch baits.  Work inside turns on the Wisconsin River system; and weed edges in 3 to 8 feet of water on the main lakes.

(This report based on interviews with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee Wisconsin).

The post Marathon & Lincoln Fishing Report: June 10, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

Water temps in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area are in the uppers 50s to low 60s.  Best all around action on the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Walleye in the Eagle River area are in 12 feet of water or less off of weed edges or in and around weed clumps.  Use a 1/8th or 1/16th ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow.  The walleye are tight to bottom.  All day bite, with peaks in the evening.  Good excellent action.

Northern are locating in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds in the Eagle River area.  Use a Husky Jerk (minnow or walleye pattern), bass style spinner bait, small Mepps, or a northern sucker under a slip bobber.  All day bite.  Good to excellent action.

Bass (strictly catch-and-release right now) in the Eagle River area are still on their beds in 8 feet of water or less over sand and gravel bottom.  Use a Carolina rig with plastics, or a jig and a minnow.  All day bite. Good to excellent action.  One of our guide sources recommends that all anglers not go near spawning females.  ”Let’s all work together to protect this vital resource, for our own and future generations” he says.

Crappies, bluegills and perch in the Eagle River area are in 12 feet of water or less, off of weed edges or in and around weed clumps.  The perch are tight to bottom, with the crappies and gills suspending up and down the water column.  Use a small jig tipped with a crappies minnow, or a chunk of crawler under a slip bobber.  All day bite, with good to excellent action.

Musky in the Eagle River area are providing good action which is improving slowly and steadily.  Fish ten feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a small bucktail, crankbait, or glide bait.  All day bite with peaks around sunset.

(This report based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy).

The post Eagle River Fishing Report: June 3, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

There’s a good walleye bite on the Wisconsin River in the central Wisconsin area right now with anglers picking up nice fish in 8 to 12 feet of water associated with current breaks and downed timber.  Run weedless lead head jigs tipped with fathead minnows right on the bottom, and right in the wood for best action.

The crappie bite in the central Wisconsin area is fantastic with limits of very nice fish being caught regularly.  Most of the action is coming from crappies that are holding up in shallow wood cover, but a few are now suspended over deeper water in 10 to 15 feet of water.  Run slip bobbers with minnows to pick up these feisty fish.

Smallmouth bass action in the central Wisconsin area is heating up and we are picking up some nice fish in the 16 to 20 inch range with a few going over 20 inches.  Just last week we had one come in at over 6 pounds which is a whopper anywhere.  With the water temperatures now in the 60 degree range a lot of these fish are taking top water baits like Zara Spooks and Chug Bugs, but we are also picking up a lot of fish on jigs with plastics and some crankbaits, too.

Musky season in the central Wisconsin area is off to a good start.  We have been getting a few nice fish on bucktails, but some of the larger fish came on Bulldawgs.  For early season success target shallow weeds or weed edges in 3 to 6 feet of water, but don’t overlook targeting deeper rocks in 8 to 12 feet of water, as the fish are post spawn and are holding on structure that will warm up throughout the day.  One of the muskies that we picked up was still spewing eggs indicating a very late spawn.  This is the first time in over 40 years that I had a musky still dumping eggs this close to the opener in the central Wisconsin area.

(This report based on interviews with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee Wisconsin).

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Water temps in the Eagle River area are in the mid 50s to low 60s.  Best consistent fishing action right now is on the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Musky action at the opener in Eagle River was fair to good.  Anglers were catching some muskies (hopefully all were released), and the action will markedly improve as the water warms.  Fish 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a small bucktail, a glide bait, like a six inch Phantom, or a small crankbait.

Northern are providing a good to excellent bite in the Eagle River area.  Fish 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a Husky Jerk (minnow or walleye pattern), a northern sucker under a slip bobber, or a bass style spinner baits.  All day action.

Crappies, bluegills and perch are all hitting in the Eagle River area.  Fish 15 feet of water or less off of break edges or weed edges.  The perch are tight to bottom, with the crappies and gills suspending up and down the water column.  Use a small jig and a minnow, a chunk of crawler or a chunk of crappie minnow under a slip bobber.  All day action.  Bite is good to excellent.

Walleye in the Eagle River area are in 5 to 12 feet of water in and around weeds and are tight to bottom.  Use a 1/16th or 1/8th ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow.  All date bite, with peaks in the evening.  Action is fair to good.

Bass in the Eagle River area are still on their beds on the smaller lakes.  Bass are strictly catch and release right now.  Local guides urge anglers not to harass the large females who are on their spawning beds.  Use a jig and a minnow, Carolina rigged plastic, or a crank bait.  All day bite.  Fair to good action, which will improve greatly as the water warms.

(This report based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy).

The post Eagle River Fishing Report: May 27, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

The lilacs are blooming and the crappies are biting in the central Wisconsin area.  It is that time of the year again when the crappies have moved up to the shallows to begin their spawning ritual.  Most fish will be suspended around shoreline timber and brush, but a few will be located alongside shallow stumps.  To target these feisty panfish all you need is a bobber and a hook baited up with a small minnow.  Toss it towards the structure and wait for the bobber to go down.  Some savvy anglers are using ultra-light spinning gear and tossing Mini Mites (a tiny jig with a worm like tail) right up to the structure and slowly working it back.  This method can create fast and furious action when you get into them.

Walleyes in the central Wisconsin area have moved to their summer destinations.  Most fish can now be found holding around submerged wood or roaming the vast flats in search of food.  To target the roaming predatory fish try long line trolling Husky Jerks and Shad Raps in 8 to 12 feet of water.  Put a small split shot about 18 inches ahead of the bait to help[ get it down and to eliminate debris from hanging up on the lure.  For the walleyes hunkered down in the brush and wood try ultra-small weedless jigs.  These tiny weedless jigs will work their way into the brush and allow you the opportunity to get the fish you normally wouldn’t ever see.  One note:  Once you hook up with a walleye in the wood don’t hesitate to haul it out immediately; any split second decision to wait and the fish will be tangled in the brush and you will be out of luck.

The action for bass in the central Wisconsin area has been very good this past week and anglers in search of action can count on these fish to be eagerly waiting for them.  Most action has been from rocky shorelines in less than 4 feet of water by anglers running crawfish imitating crankbaits, jigs tipped with plastics, and a few on top water baits.

Musky season is underway in the central Wisconsin area and a lot of people are anxious to hit the water in search of  ol’ greenback.  For early season muskies try running small bucktails and twitch baits.  A good bet for early season action is to target shallow weeds and rocks in less than 5 feet of water.  Work your baits slowly and methodically as the water is still cold and fish can be very lethargic at this time of year.

(This report based on interviews with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee Wisconsin).

The post Marathon & Lincoln Fishing Report: May 27, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

All lakes in the Eagle River area are well open and providing good fishing action.  Best bet would be to first try the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (longest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Northern in the Eagle River area are in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  Use a Husky Jerk in a minnow or walleye pattern, or a northern sucker under a slip bobber.  All day bite.  Good action.

Perch in the Eagle River area are  tight to bottom in 8 feet of water or less, over muddy bottom with scattered weeds.  Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or crawler.  All day bite.  Action is good.

Crappies and bluegills in the Eagle River area are suspending up and down the water column off of break edges in 8 to 15 feet of water.  Use a crappie minnow or chunk of crawler under a slip bobber.  All day bite.  Good action.

Walleye in the Eagle River area are locating in 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds.  The walleye are tight to bottom.  Use a 1/8th or 1/16th ounce jig tipped with a fathead minnow.  All day bite with peaks in the evening.  Action is fair to good.

(This report based on Creative Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, “Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, and Mat Hegy).

The post Eagle River Fishing Report: May 20, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.

Water temperatures in the central Wisconsin area are now in the upper 50 to lower 60 degree range and the walleyes have finished spawning.  The crappies are up shall and on the beds, and the base are staged to begin their spring ritual.

The walleyes in the central Wisconsin area have been very aggressive, with lots of fish being caught by anglers running Wolf river rigs in 8 to 12 feet of water.  A simple Wolf river rig set up is your line from your pole headed down to a three way swivel.  From the swivel run one line approximately 8 inches long going to a bell sinker and another line preferably about 18 to 24 inches long going to a small octopus style hook baited up with a large fathead minnow or night crawler.  Lower this rig until the sinker hits the bottom and wait for the action to start.

Crappies in the central Wisconsin area are up in the shallows and a great way to take advantage of this is to get yourself a good pair of polarized sunglasses.  Not only will the glasses protect your eyes, they will allow you to see into the water, giving you the ability to spot shallow running crappies as they make for their beds.  Once you locate the crappies a simple hook baited up with a small minnow will do the trick.  Set the bait about 8 inches to a foot below a bobber and toss it onto the crappies’ bed.  It won’t take long and the action will start.  For even more fun try a fly rod with a small popper.  The action can be fast and furious.

Smallmouth bass in the central Wisconsin area have been very active and a lot of nice fish have been caught including one that went 6.5 pounds, caught on the Wisconsin River.  Most of the action is coming from shallow rocks in less than 4 feet of water.  The bass have been taking a variety of baits from jigs tipped with plastics to spinner baits and crankbaits.  Top water action is just starting but as the water warms up it is really going to pick up.

(This report based on interviews with licensed guide and trapper Phil Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee Wisconsin).

The post Marathon & Lincoln Fishing Report: May 20, 2013 appeared first on Northern Wisconsin.