CURRENT FISHING & OUTDOOR REPORTS
& 2009 Calendar Information
Current fishing reports, gathered. updated. and posted weekly
Weekly Fishing Reports compiled and distributed weekly by Creative Brilliance, Copyright © 2008, all rights reserved. These reports may be used and reproduced only by those who receive them directly, or who have received express written permission for their use.
Current fishing reports, gathered and updated weekly. Come fishing ANY TIME! Click below...
Eagle River, Wisconsin (Sponsored by Eagle River Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center).
Wausau, Central Wisconsin Area (Sponsored by the Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau).
Lake of the Woods, Baudette, MN (Sponsored by Sportsman's Lodge and Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge).
See events and activities at the end of EACH INDIVIDUAL report; and a CALENDAR OF 2008 FISHING EVENTS & TOURNAMENTS in Wisconsin's Northwoods. See the Contact info section for Chambers of Commerce information, including phone numbers, web sites and email.
Fishing "words of wisdom".....
Wind from the north... don't set forth!
Wind from the east... fish bite the least!
Wind from the south... blows bait into fish's mouth!
Wind from the west... fish bite the best!
Also see more info about individual "Lakes" in the "Features" section of this website.
***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) --
as of June 23, 2008:
(Head): Very good to excellent action for musky, walleye, northern, smallies, and panfish CONTINUES in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
"Same old, same old," for fishing in the Eagle River area, and that's great! Fishing continues to grade out from "B+" to a solid "A."
Musky action remains solid in the Eagle River area, with four fish going to around 48 inches, and one coming in at 51 inches (all catch and release). Fish in and around weeds in 10 feet of water or less. No lure is really "shining," so "empty the tackle box," and there'll be action on something. Bait size should range from small to mid-size.
Walleye in the Eagle River area remain in ten feet of water or less. Use a jig and a fathead, with crawlers and leeches starting to work, as well. Mixed sizes, with the biggest running to about 30 inches. Suggestion: With the water temps rising steadily, there should be a mayfly hatch in the Eagle River area, coming around in the near term. When that happens, the walleyes may position themselves over mudflats to feed on the mayflies. Be prepared, and we'll keep you posted.
Bass season is now open in the Eagle River area, with the smallies most consistent. Fish break edges in 10 to 15 feet of water over hardbottom. Use a crankbait, Rattle Trap, or a jig, tipped with a minnow, leech or crawler.
Northern in the Eagle River area are on a tear. Fish in and around weeds in ten feet of water or less. Use minnow baits, or small spinners. Excellent action for mixed sizes.
All the panfish (crappies, bluegills and perch) are in the same general areas in the Eagle River area. Fish in and around weeds in 10 feet of water or less. Use a crappie minnow, leech or crawler, under a slip bobber, or try a Mini Mite. Good to excellent action, with some sorting, but also some very nice fish being caught.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Eagle River guide Mat Hegy of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
Contact info for Eagle River:
* Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org
* Guide's Choice Pro Shop, 715-477-2248
* George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804. e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
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***Some outdoor activities and events coming up in Eagle River, Wisconsin:
-- Fri.-Sun., Jun 27-29: Muskie Fishing School at Wild Eagle Lodge. Learn how to go after the greatest freshwater gamefish - -the legendary muskie - - with expert, local guide, Muskie Matt. Enjoy 3 nights of premier lodging and meals. Includes half day guide service with Muskie Matt, and evening sessions featuring instruction and open discussion. Registration: Wild Eagle Lodge: phone: 877-945-3965 or 715-479-3151. e-mail: info@wildeaglelodge.com; web; www.wildeaglelodge.com
-- Every Tues, June 10-Aug. 19, 2008: Free Kids Fishing Tips at Heckel's Eagle River Marina. Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 800-359-6315; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org
-- Every Wed., June 18-Aug. 13, 2008: Wild Eagle Corner Store fishing Seminars at Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River. Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 800-359-6315; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org
-- Every Sun. in July and August: Kids fishing Jamboree with Muskie Matt at Wild Eagle Lodge in Eagle River. Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 800-359-6315; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org
GENERAL: Summer is here in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Beautiful weather, pristine forest, 1200 lakes including the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world), scenic beauty. Great time for hiking, biking, birding, picnicking, fabulous fishing, golfing, exploring and just plain relaxing. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; web: www.eagleriver.org
Reports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. © 2008
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance
608-827-6483; 800-975-5474 (media). e-mail: cre8vads@cheqnet.net; cre8vRay@charter.net
Contact info for Eagle River:
***Wausau/Central Wisconsin area --
as of June 23, 2008:
(Head): Great walleye action, with a phenomenal crappie and bluegill bite, along with bass, white bass and musky hitting hard, in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.
Warming water temps have brought the fish to the surface.
Walleye fishing in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area is simply great. With the walleyes now set up in their traditional summer holding patterns, trollers are taking full advantage of long lining crankbaits like Rapalas and Thundersticks, along contour breaks in 8 to 12 feet of water. Jig fishing with a minnow is also producing top results by working the deep, submerged wood.
The panfish bite for both crappies and bluegills is phenomenal in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area. Target shallow, downed timber in 2 to 4 feet of water, with either a small minnow or a piece of crawler, suspended below a slip bobber.
Fishing for bass is getting better by the day in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area. Both largemouth and smallmouth are very active in the rapidly warming water temps. The topwater bite has really turned on. Chug Bugs and Top Prop style baits are working best. For the largies work the weeds in shallow, back water bays and for the smallies, work shallow, rocky structure along the shoreline. For either species, work sunken wood thoroughly. You'll get action.
The white bass in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area have really turned on. Small spinners in white or chartreuse will take white bass all day long. AND, fishing white bass is a great way to introduce a kid to fishing. Non-stop action, and plenty of "fight" in these fish make for a memorable outing.
The musky bite in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area continues to be very good, and some exceptional fish have been caught and released. With water temps now in the 70's, the top water bite is turning on big time. Right now bucktails and twitch baits are working best.
And remember, that unlike so many lakes further north, that have daily walleye bag limits of two or three fish, the walleye bag limit remains at FIVE (5) fish on most of the waters of the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.
With such a wealth of opportunities, it's important for anglers to practice catch-and-release for everything but a few for the frying pan. This simple and mindful conservation will insure that the legendary fishing in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area will continue for generations to come.
(This report for the Wausau/Central Wisconsin CVB based on Creative Brilliance interview with guide Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services, Mosinee).
For more information about the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area:
*Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau: 888-948-4748, or 715-355-8788; web: www.visitwausau.com
Fishing and hunting info:
* Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services (Phil Schweik, John Sparbel, Craig Lemmer, Justin Gaiche); phone: 715-693-5843; e -mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz
* Wisconsin Angling Adventures (Joel DeBoer), web: www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com; e-mail: joelthe muskyman@charter.net; phone: 715-297-7573.
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***Some outdoor activities and events coming up in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area in the coming weeks:
-- Sat./Sun., June 28-29, 2008: USACK Age Group Paddler Nationals and Wausau Whitewater Slalom focused weekend at Whitewater Park in Wausau. All ages.
-- Mon., July 7-Sun., July 13, 2008: USACK Junior Olympics; multi-discipline with focus on cadet age (9-14), featuring slalom, freestyle, wild water, boater cross and skill development. Whitewater Park, Wausau.
- - Sat., July 12, 2008: 2nd Annual Kippenberg Creek Kids Fishing Day. Event for children with life threatening illnesses and/or disabilities. Hosted by Half Moon Bar and Hooksetters Guide Services on Half Moon Lake, Mosinee. Multi-species fishing, photo shoot, prizes and awards. Home made buffet style dinner for kids and their parents, provided by Half moon Bar. Volunteers, guides, and donations greatly appreciated. Contact, Phil Schweik, 715-693-5843; cell: 715-581-2620, e-mail: pschweik@dwave.net
GENERAL: The Wausau/Central Wisconsin's summer season is a magnet for those who seek the beauty and enormous breadth of nature, as well as the finest hiking, biking, touring, sightseeing, birding exploring, picnicking, relaxing, and legendary open-water fishing anywhere (remember, most waters in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area REMAIN OPEN for walleye, northern and bass throughout the year without any closed season). Wonderful tracts of forest, pristine waters, wildflowers, birds and wildlife surround visitors at every turn. The services, infrastructure, entertainment, accommodations, restaurants, and non-stop community activities, festivals, and events provide something for every taste. Wausau/Central Wisconsin Convention & Visitors Bureau: 888-948-4748, or 715-355-8788; web: www.visitwausau.com
Reports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. © 2007
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance
608-827-6483; 800-975-5474 (media). e-mail: cre8vads@cheqnet.net; cre8vRay@charter.net
Contact info for Wausau area:
***Sportsman's Lodge and Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge on the Rainy RIver and the southern end of Lake of the Woods (Baudette, MN) --
as of June 23, 2008:
(Head): On the south end of Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman's Lodge, Baudette, MN, the strong walleye bite, including trophies, continues.
This week's report is short, but VERY "sweet."
The fishing is spectacular on Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman's Lodge. The Lake is settling down as summer begins. The current flow has the walleyes holding in specific areas of 24 to 31 feet of water. Sportsman's guests are also pulling in good eater sized walleyes with spinners in 12 feet of water at Morris Point. Anchoring and drifting are the methods of choice, with anchoring and jigging a chartreuse/orange jig, bringing in some larger fish.
Most groups of Sportsman's Lodge guests are catching large numbers of walleye and limiting out within two to three hours on the Lake, then happily play catch-and-release for the rest of the day. One guest caught and released three trophy sized walleyes in two days, while fishing with Sportsman's guides.
Overall the fishing season has been tremendous, and there's still the whole summer to enjoy some of the greatest fishing in North America on the south end of Lake of the Woods at Sportsman's Lodge.
Sportsman's Lodge provides its guests perfect comfort and safety on its fleet of 27 foot, inboard, fishing charters, which are all equipped with heads and cuddy cabin - -and Sportsman's believes its guides are the very best anywhere.
(This report based on Creative Brilliance interview with Gregg Hennum, co-owner of Sportsman's Lodge. phone: 800-862-8602, or 218-634-1342; web: www.sportsmanslodges.com)
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Highlights at Sportsman's Lodges:
-- Sportsman's motto is: "Hookem' and cookem'." Sportsman's will be happy to clean and prepare your walleye or sauger for you after a day's fishing. This is the best way to enjoy these super-fresh and delicious fish, and still have some to take home with you.
-- Sportsman's Eagle Ridge property is forty miles out on Lake of the Woods on Oak Island. Secluded and remote, but easily accessible and served by Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge as a base camp, which has great food, beverages, supplies, gas, liquor, tackle, maps and grocery items. Eagle Ridge has two cabins with accommodations for up to16 and is available for extended stays.
-- The Beltrami Island State Forest offers wilderness lovers nearly 670,000 acres of every type of natural setting to explore. Established routes allow visitors to comfortably enjoy this spectacular, vast wilderness, all year round. Sportsman's Lodge offers perfect access to this unique opportunity.
-- Sportsman's Lodge on Lake of the Woods, Baudette, MN is proud to announce that recent creel census results conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources shows that on average, the Lake of the Woods walleye catch rate is the best of any lake in the State of Minnesota.
- - Sportsman's guests can avail themselves of not only great fishing, but excellent care and the finest professional guides, while relaxing in comfort and safety on Sportsman's fleet of 27 foot, inboard, fishing charters, which are all equipped with heads and cuddy cabin.
-- Sportsman's Lodge is now offering air charter service to Baudette, MN directly from the Anoka County (Twin Cities) airport on eight passenger jet-prop aircraft from Wilderness Air Service in the Twin Cities. About an hour's fast and convenient flight.
-- Cross-border fishing (American and Canadian waters) on Lake of the Woods is available out of Sportsman's Lodges. For information about required permits, licenses and opportunities contact us. Fish for walleye, sauger, northern, bass and jumbo perch from the main lodge or at Sportsman's Oak Island Lodge.
==> Always check ahead for detail or schedule changes <==
Contact info for Chambers of Commerce and Areas listed above:
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