Monday, July 26, 2004

Fishing Report for Northern Wisconsin Here's a report for the week of July 25, 2004 for Eagle River, St. Germain, Presque Isle, Rice Lake, Holcombe Flowage (Paradise Shores Resort Hotel), and Lake Namakagon (The Lakewoods). This report was compiled by Noami K. Shapiro, Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved. All reports are general information only, and no liability is assumed for any information provided. Eagle River, Wisconsin, area lakes (VILAS COUNTY) -- as of 7-25-04 Fishing "OK" in the Eagle River area. On behalf of the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce, here's what George Langley, President of the Eagle River Guides Association and owner of Eagle Sports is reporting: Folks -- "I'm George Washington" today" - - I cannot tell a lie! Fishing is not that great at this moment in the Eagle River area. Oh, you'll get fish, but you're going to work for them. Best thing going right now are largemouth bass. Action is good to excellent, with the largemouth hanging close to any shade or structure in shallower water -- piers, logs, trees, boathouses -- they're all holding fish. Leeches are working best. Smallie fishing is OK -- but slower than largemouth. Fish 8 to 12 feet of water over rockpiles, ledges, or off of rocky points. Any crayfish-pattern imitation should work. Northern fishing is fair, with northern locating along deeper weedlines. Northern chubs are working best. Muskie action is fair to good -- both daylight and evening hours. The Eagle River Chain is producing fish on surface baits, with night-time fishing working well on lakes like North Twin, using bucktails and surface baits. Fish weedline and structure edges in 5 to 15 feet of water. Panfish action is fair to good, with bluegills and perch hitting well in shallower weeds and brushpiles. Perch and gills biting on waxies or worms. Crappie are suspending over deeper brushpiles, hitting on minnows. For panfish, I'd suggest fishing on cloudy days, and using a slipbobber rig where practical - - especially for the crappie. Walleye fishing should change for the better shortly, so stay tuned. Good luck, good fishin' and happy times in the Eagle River area (George Langley) Just FYI, outdoorspeople: Eagle River is now registered (with the Federal Government) as "owner" of "The Official Snowmobile Capital of the World" trademark. We look forward to seeing you on "The Snowmobile Capital of the World's" trails this winter! Some great upcoming events in the Eagle River area include: -- Wed., Aug. 18, 2004: Annual Paul Bunyan Fest in Eagle River. Roast beef sandwiches and all the trimmings. -- Fri.-Sun., Aug. 20, 21, 22, 2004: 19th Annual National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River. (There are still a few places available). -- Fri.-Sun., Sept. 10-12, 2004: 16th Annual Wisconsin Seaplane Fly-In at Gypsy Villa Resort in Eagle River. --Sat.-Sun., Sept. 11-12, 2004: Run to the Eagle Motorcycle Rally in Eagle River. For more information about the Eagle River area: *Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 1-800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; website: www.eagleriver.org *George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804. e-mail: fishing@eaglesports.com _____ Holcombe Flowage out of Paradise Shores Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Holcombe, Wis. (CHIPPEWA COUNTY) -- as of 7-25-04 Fishing good on the Holcombe Flowage On behalf of Paradise Shores Resort Hotel, Restaurant & Conference Center on the Holcombe Flowage, here's what Robert "Butch" Wendell and area guide Earl Fisk of the Lake Holcombe Sport Shop are reporting: Cats have picked up. A bug hatch and the warm water helped. The cats are hanging at the mouths of the rivers and the creeks where they come in to the main body of the Flowage. Evening bite is best, as usual. Use crawlers, chicken livers, or cutbait. Lots of muskie are being seen, with follows and some strikes. The muskie are either locating in the shallower weed areas, where surface baits like a Suick are working, OR, in deep water (12 to 17 plus feet), where a deep diving crankbait will work (a couple of nice-sized fish were caught and released with a deeper diving crank, at 12 feet). Walleye are either in deep water (20-22 feet) off the main channel on the Flowage, OR in the shallower weed areas -- especially at night. A 7 1/2 pounder was caught during the day, deep, and lots of average-sized fish are being caught in the weed areas -- 8 to 10 feet at night. A particularly productive area for the smaller walleye is around the "silver bridge," which is on the north end of the Flowage off of Hwy. 27. Leeches and crawlers are working. Lots of little northerns in the weeds. Muskie anglers are hooking a lot of the northerns. Best bait for the northerns themselves would be a smaller, floating Rapala, or a buzzbait -- a spinnerbait with three blades, which makes noise. Smallies are STILL good! You'll get them either below the dam on the Chippewa, or "up" the Flambeau. A lot of action, and they're biting on a lot of different baits: A Saltie Fat Albert, crawlers, leeches, small spinnerbaits, crayfish pattern plastics, and black Twister Tails. Panfish are average right now. Crappies are scattered and suspending in either 19 to 20 feet of water, or in 10 to 12 feet of water. Look for structure -- like cribs, and rock piles -- rather than weeds Smaller gills are biting in the real shallow water (1 to 3 feet), with some bigger bulls hitting in 5 to 6 feet of water. Use a worm or a waxie. Contact Paradise Shores Resort Hotel for information about their Fishing Season specials. Jim Unser of the Paradise Shores Resort Hotel staff fishes the Holcombe Flowage almost every day and will be happy to be your fishing guide. Paradise Shores is a very affordable, luxurious and friendly place to stay, with great food, beverages, and service, along with a pool and hot tubs. The rooms are beautifully appointed, and include accommodations for the physically challenged. Lots of great area activities, from fishing, to the nearby Ice Age Trail and Visitors Center, area museums, unique shopping opportunities and warm, friendly people. Coming up at Paradise Shores Aug. 20-22, 2004 is a Fishing Has No Boundaries event for the disabled. For more info: *Paradise Shores Resort Hotel & Conference Center on the Holcombe Flowage, W26364 CTH M, Holcombe, WI 54745. (Jim Unser, Fishing Info). Phone: 800-657-4512 (Reservations); 715-595-4227 (Hotel); 715-595-4701 (Restaurant and Lounge). e-mail: mail@paradiseshores.com; web = www.paradiseshores.com. *Robert (Butch) Wendell, Lake Holcombe Sport Shop, 26452 -276th St. (jct. Cty M & 276th St., or 1/4 mi. w. of State Hwy. 27), Holcombe, WI 54745; 715-595-4293; e-mail: rwendell@centurytel.net *Big Minnow Bait & Tackle Shop, Box 263 (Jct. of Hwy. 27 and County M), Holcombe, WI 54745; 715-595-6362. _____ Presque Isle, Wisconsin, area lakes (VILAS COUNTY) -- Presque Isle, Wisconsin area lakes (VILAS COUNTY) -- as of 7-25-04 Good bass action in the Presque Isle area. On behalf of the Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, here's what avid angler Wally Sherman (715-385-3264) is reporting: Both largemouth and smallies are biting -- and, while the action is good, it tends to be off-and-on. One day a strong bite, the next day somewhat less. Look for largemouth shallow, in the heavy weeds and around lily pad/shallower stump field areas. Use a surface-running spinnerbait, top-running plastic frog or mouse, or drop a Texas Rig with a scented artificial (or live) crawler. The smallies are in their summer mode, locating over hardbottom/rock piles/rocky points in 8 to 12 feet of water. Use a diving crankbait, a leech, or a crayfish-pattern plastic. Muskie are hitting deeper during the day, moving in shallower at night. During the day, fish off deeper weedlines or around rocky ledges. Use a bucktail, or a crankbait. At night, when the muskie move in shallower to the weedline edges, use a bucktail or a surface bait. Walleye are moving deeper during the day, over rockpiles anywhere from 12 to 22 feet of water, depending on the lake. At night these walleye move into the shallower weedlines in 8 to 12 feet of water. Use a jig and a leech or minnow. Northern are all over the weed areas -- 4 to 12 feet of water, and hanging off the edges, closer in than the muskie. Use a flashy artificial -- spoon, spinnerbait, or noisy crankbait. Perch are hitting right off the bottom, over weeds in 10 to 12 feet of water. Use a chunk of crawler, or a garden worm. When you come to our area, be sure to stop in our local bait shop, convenience store, shops, eating places, and other community support services. All of our excellent resorts also have more information for you. Presque Isle, "Wisconsin's Last Wilderness", is actively involved in the first phase of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail, with signage and more detailed information available. Also check out Presque Isle's newly-designated Catherine Wolter Wilderness Area, in addition to all the woods and waters and attractions of our area. Our solitude, wildlife, birds, fishing, recreation, and even relaxing are second to none. You'll love Presque Isle's sunsets, and the millions of twinkling stars you can see at night -- better here than anywhere else. Ask the Chamber about the huge article about Presque Isle and Wisconsin's Northwoods that just appeared in the July 25, 2004 Chicago Tribune Travel Section Come to Presque Isle for all the reasons stated above; also for special events that include: -- Fireman's Picnic & Parade, Sun., Aug. 1, 2004; -- St. Rita's Annual Spaghetti Dinner, Sat., Aug. 7, 2004. --28th Annual World Championship Musky Classic, Fri.-Sun., Sept. 10-12, 2004 with Presque Isle the host community -- Presque Isle's Wild Game Cook-off, Sept. 26, 2004; -- Legion Swiss Steak Dinner, Sat., Oct. 2, 2004 -- Check with the Chamber for lots more going on and coming up, including community dinners. *For general information about Presque Isle, Wis.: Presque Isle Chamber of Commerce, Main St., Box 135, Presque Isle, WI 54557-9732; 888-835-6508; 715-686-2910; e-mail: PresqueIsle@centurytel.net; web: www.PresqueIsleWi.org *For fishing information for Presque Isle, Wis.: Wally Sherman, (715) 385-3264 _____ Rice Lake, Wisconsin, area Lakes (BARRON COUNTY) -- as of 7-25-04 Fishing consistent in the Rice Lake area. On behalf of the Rice Lake Tourism Commission, here's what outdoor expert, Gary Fankhauser, fishing department manager at J.C. Bear Paw Sporting Goods in Rice Lake (715-236-7300) is reporting: This summer, our Rice Lake area fishing has been pretty consistent. An occasional bang-bang period, then things settle down to steady action. Anglers are getting fish, even with some cold fronts coming in and out, here and there. Muskie action remains steady. Fish the weedlines or edges of structure from 5 to 15 feet. Muskie are biting throughout the day, but generally will hit more strongly at night. Most action is coming on bucktails or nighttime use of surface baits. Fish real deep during the day, over structure, or on the edges of the deepest weedlines, using deeper-diving crankbaits. Please don't forget to release every muskie you catch. Today's technology will get you a wonderful wall mount based on a photograph of the fish. Walleye have moved somewhat deeper. Fish rockpiles or over hardbottom structure during the day, in 15 to 22 feet of water. At night, these same walleye will move in to the weed edges and shallower structure, from 8 to 12 feet or so. Use a jig and a leech or crawler. The early morning or evening bite is best. Smallies are hanging out in their normal summer habitat -- 8 to 12 feet or so, over hardbottom structure, like rockpiles, boulders, or hanging off of rocky points. Use a tube jig in a crayfish color, a Twister Tail , or a crayfish pattern grub, like a Saltie Fat Albert, hooked up over a 1/8 ounce orange or chartreuse jig head. Some action also reported on a live crawler or leech. Largemouth are seeking shade and cover in heavy weeds, stump fields and downed timber in depths ranging from 4 to 8 feet or so -- and if the water is cool, these same largemouth will move out to weedlines in up to 15 feet of water. Use a surface-running buzzbait (spinnerbait with three blades that makes a noise), run a plastic frog or mouse over the tops of the weeds, or toss a Texas Rig, with a scented imitation plastic worm or big, live crawler. Some action also reported on a "jig and a pig" -- a jig with a big piece of pork rind attached. Northern are off of weed edges, anywhere from 4 to 10 feet. Use a shiny spoon, a perch or minnow pattern Huskie Jerk, a spinnerbait, or you can try a weedless hook or jig with a northern sucker minnow dropped off the weed edge or into a pocket in the weeds. You can also "float" a jig or hook, with a sucker minnow over the top of the weeds. Gills and perch are in the weeds, but depth will vary by lake. You'll find these panfish anywhere from 4 to 12 feet, with the perch usually hugging the bottom, and the gills moving up and down the water column. Use a waxie, or garden worm. Haven't heard much on crappie, but if you do go for them, I'd suggest fishing crib sides or over brushpiles in 8 to 20 feet of water (again, depth will depend on the lake you're fishing). Use a slipbobber tipped with a small minnow. We invite all anglers, hunters, and visitors to the Rice Lake area to stop in and visit with us at Bear Paw. We'll be most happy to tell you what's happening where. (Gary Fankhauser). There are a lot of great things to do all the time in the Rice Lake area year-round, including city parks, live theater, Japanese Gardens, the nearby Blue Hills with their woods, lakes, and unique geologic formations; auto racing, golfing, and many other area attractions, activities, and recreation. The Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary just outside of Rice Lake is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, with lots of great hiking and nature opportunities, as well as special lectures. And, to give you further idea how pristine our area is, Rice Lake has been selected as having "the best drinking water in Wisconsin"! Some of the great community events coming up in Rice Lake include: -- "Music in the Park" concerts at the bandshell in Rice Lake, every Thursday evening through August 12, 2004. -- The Rice Lake Speedway (races every Saturday night through September). -- Sat., Aug. 14, 2004: Annual Fly-In Celebration at Rice Lake Regional Airport. --Wed., Aug. 18, 2004: Wild Rice Soup: History, Ecology, and Harvest. Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary and Nature Center. For more information about the Rice Lake area: *Rice Lake Tourism & Retail Development Commission, 37 South Main St., Rice Lake, Wis. 54868; phone: 800-523-6318; FAX: 715-234-2085; e-mail: info@ricelaketourism.com; web: www.ricelaketourism.com * J.C. Bear Paw Company, 824 Bear Paw Ave., Rice Lake, WI 54868; Phone: 715-236-7300; e-mail: bearpaw@chibardun.net; Kurt Krueger, General Manager; Gary Fankhauser, Fishing Dept. Manager; Aaron Havenor, Gun Dept. Manager. _____ St. Germain, Wisconsin, area lakes (VILAS/ONEIDA COUNTIES) -- as of 7-25-04 Fishing action sporadic in the St. Germain area. On behalf of the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce, here's what area guides are reporting: Cold fronts have somewhat turned fishing off in the St. Germain area. Best bet for walleye (and northern!) would be to troll the old river channels on the Rainbow Flowage, using crankbaits, like a sinking Rapala. You'll get some fish, but don't expect bang-bang action. Not much more to say about walleye at the moment, but we're hoping things will be picking up with passing of the colder weather. There's some very nice panfish action on most all St. Germain area, smaller, dark water lakes. Good action for perch and bluegills in the weeds (Pickerel Lake is quite good). Depth will vary from 4 to 10 feet or so. Use a chunk of crawler, waxie, or garden worm. Muskie action is very average. There are fish being caught (and released) both daytime and nighttime hours. Night fishing is producing best, using bucktails and surface baits. During the day, some of the muskie will be found along the deeper weedlines (to 15 feet or so), and hitting on a deep-diving crankbait. Fish are showing up on locators, but frankly, there are more follows than hard strikes. Some smallies are biting (the action is inconsistent) in their summer habitats of hardbottom areas, in 8 to 12 feet of water. Use a leech, or any type of crayfish imitation plastic (the smallies are feeding heavily on crayfish right now). The largemouth are hitting in shallow areas where there is cover and structure. Try around piers, stump fields, or heavy weeds. Use a leech, or drop a Texas Rig with a scented imitation plastic crawler, or a big, live crawler. The largemouth bite is stronger than the bite for smallies. Northern action is just OK. Fish the deeper weed edges (closer in to the weeds than you would for muskie), and use either a shiny spoon tipped with piece of pork rind, or a big northern chub, on a weedless jig or hook. Some crappie are hitting over deeper brushpiles or around cribs -- 12 to 18 feet of water. Use a slipbobber with a small minnow. In addition to its wonderful fishing, St. Germain boasts all kinds of unique, fun, community events, festivals, and outdoor opportunities. We have so much wonderful forest, and so many lakes and trails, you can always find something great to do -- and a wonderful sense of community spirit to go with it. Put the following St. Germain Events on your calendars and check with the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce for all sorts of other events, festivals, food, and fun: -- Fri., Sat., Aug. 13 & 14, 2004: Antiques Show & Sale in St. Germain. -- Sun., Aug. 15, 2004: 1st Annual Car Show & Swap Meet in St. Germain. -- Sat., Sept. 25, 2004: 45th Annual Colorama Weekend & Taste of the Northwoods in St. Germain, PLUS Heritage Fest (French Trader Days), live folk and bluegrass music, and craft Fair. -- Sat.-Sun., October 2-3, 2004: 16th Annual Greater Wisconsin Muskie Tournament in St. Germain. Ten St. Germain area lakes are included in this annual catch-and-release tournament which draws huge crowds every year. Cash drawing, many door prizes, food, and fun. For more information about the St. Germain area: *St. Germain Area Chamber of Commerce, 800-727-7203 or 715-477-2205. Box 155, St. Germain, WI 54558. e-mail: chamber@st-germain.com; Website: www.st-germain.com *Fishing info: St. Germain Sport Marine (Tom Christensen), Del Zerbe, Jr., 715-479-4930. _____ Lake Namakagon, out of Lakewoods Resort (S. Bayfield County) -- as of 7-25-04 Very good panfishing on Lake Namakagon. On behalf of Lakewoods Resort, here's what area guide Dave Scanlon is reporting: You can do very well for panfish on Lake Namakagon right now. Fish the cribs in 15 to 20 feet of water, over rockpiles in the same depths, and around weeds in 10 feet of water. You'll get good action from crappies, bluegills and perch. For crappies use a slip bobber, tipped with small minnows or a tube jig. For gills and perch, use a garden worm. Nice sizes, too. Northern are hitting off the weedlines anywhere from 4 to 12 feet of water. They are fairly close to the weed edges themselves, and also are locating in some of the pockets in the weeds. Use a shiny spoon, or a weedless hook/jig floated over the weeds, or dropped in the weed pockets. I picked up some decent walleyes, with the spoon, while going for the northern. Good action. Muskie are fair. Fish the weedlines in 5 to 15 feet of water, where the muskie will hang further out from the weedlines than the northern. I caught and released a couple in the 44 inch range. I used either a Suick or a Bobby Bait (silver and black). Walleye are OK -- nothing special. Fish over the rockpiles during the day, going 20 to 22 feet. At night, try the weedlines in 8 to 12 feet of water. Use a jig and a leech or a minnow. Please come and enjoy our Northwoods show in general: Incredible numbers and species of birds, wildlife, wildflowers, and gorgeous expanses of forest and wetlands in the Lakewoods/Lake Namakagon area in the midst of The Chequamegon National Forest. Lakewoods Resort is nearing its 100th year of same-family-ownership, offering the finest in varied accommodations from a fully-equipped, cozy cabin on an island, to beautiful condos, and great lodge suites. (Dave Scanlon is always happy to talk to guests about what's going on with fishing -- and, in addition to being a guide, he has also been the executive chef at Lakewoods for 29 years). Remember to include time on your schedule for the challenge of Lakewoods' Championship 18-Hole Forest Ridges Golf Course amidst the Chequamegon National Forest. A few special upcoming events include: -- Mon., Aug. 2, 2004: Annual Charlie Best Memorial Golf Tournament. -- Sat., Sept. 11, 2004: Annual Forest Ridges Golf Scramble. For fishing information on Lake Namakagon, and general information on Lakewoods Resort & Conference Center: *Address: 21540 Cty. Hwy. M, Cable, WI 54821 *Phone: (715) 794-2561 or (800) 255-5937 (reservations only) *e-mail: lakewood@cheqnet.net * Website: www.lakewoodsresort.com *Fishing guide Dave Scanlon (Lakewoods Resort) (715) 794-2561 9:12:34 PM    comment []