Sunday, August 8, 2004

Northern Wisconsin Fishing Report for Week of 8/8/04 REPORTS for week of 8-8-04 follow, for the following Wisconsin areas: Eagle River, St. Germain, Presque Isle, Rice Lake, Holcombe Flowage (Paradise Shores Resort Hotel), and Lake Namakagon (The Lakewoods Resort). -- Weekly Reports compiled or written, edited, and distributed by Naomi K. Shapiro on behalf of the areas named above.  Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved.  Intended for further dissemination by those receiving them directly, as well as  those given express written permission for further use, properly identifying each host area or Chamber of Commerce.  All reports are general information only, and no liability is assumed for any information provided. _____ Eagle River, Wisconsin, area lakes (VILAS COUNTY) -- as of 8-8-04 Muskie action picking up, with good bass and panfish action 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: Muskie action is much better, with daytime action improving considerably. Both good numbers and big fish are being seen and caught (and released!) area-wide.  The Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes (largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world) is producing on surface baits, and the deep, clear lakes are producing very well -- especially on cloudy days -- with crankbaits.  Anglers seeking trophy fish should fish at night. Bass action is good for both largemouth and smallies, despite some cooler weather. For largemouth, try shoreline weed and pier cover areas.  For smallies, try hardbottom areas in 8 to 12 feet (rocks, rockpiles, rocky points, boulders), including hardbottom shoreline and pier areas.  Good-sized leeches are by the far the best live bait for both largemouth and smallies; and, with smallies still feeding on crayfish, any crayfish imitation plastic will also work very well. Panfish action is quite good, with good numbers of both gills and perch being caught.  Bluegills are locating in shallow weeds and brushpiles in great numbers.  Waxies and worms are working, with tube jigs the best artificial. Very nice-sized jumbo perch are locating in deeper weeds, with South Twin Lake particularly good in the deep cabbage.  Small minnows and leeches will work for these bigger fish. Crappie action is fair, with crappie now exclusively around deeper cribs and suspending in schools over deep water.  Minnows on a slipbobber are best. Northern action remains good on weed edges, with cloudy days better than clear days.  Any noisy, flashy artificial will work, with large chubs being the best live bait.  Note that the northern are in the same general areas and hitting better on the same cloudy days as the muskie, but the northern will generally hang in closer to the weed edges than the muskies. Walleye fishing is just fair, with fish mainly hitting on the deeper weed edges.  All live bait types will work equally -- minnows, leeches or crawlers.  The better walleye bite is after dark for best action in numbers and size. 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, etc. --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. --Sat.-Sun., Oct. 2 & 3, 2004:  Annual Cranberry Fest & Fitness Weekend in Eagle River. Cranberry foods, products, fitness run/walk/bike, bridge tournament, bog tours, music, and entertainment.  Attended by thousands! 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@eaglesportscenter.com _____ Holcombe Flowage out of Paradise Shores Resort Hotel & Conference Center, Holcombe, Wis. (CHIPPEWA COUNTY)  -- as of 8-8-04 Fishing is pretty good for most everything right now 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: With no rain washing food into the Flowage at the mouths of the rivers and creeks, and warm water (83 degrees at the surface, 76 degrees at a median depth of 21 feet), most all the fish are looking for food, and are pretty much scattered around the entire Flowage.  That's actually good news for anglers, as they're getting hits all over. Cats are real good right now -- and they're all over.  Back-bays, around cover, over rockpiles.  And they're fairly deep -- best to fish around 15 feet or so.  Best after dark.  Lots of nice eating channels in the 4 to 5 pound range being taken, with some "smokers" -- flatheads and channels, both being caught in the 10 to 12 pound range.  Use crawlers, stinkbait, cutbait, or chicken livers. Good numbers of BIG muskie are being seen and being caught  (just saw a 52-inch, 30-plus pounder).  Most of the muskie seem to be in weed beds, anywhere from 5 to 15 feet  (the 52-incher was caught in 5 feet of water). Shady spots seem real good, especially when there's high sun.  Surface baits are working best. Walleye aren't that deep, and we're surprised, especially with the real warm water.  Nothing much happening in the usual deep holes, around the river channels which go through the Flowage.  Most of the walleye (they're all pretty much average size or small), are in and around weed beds in 5 to 15 feet of water.  Both crawlers and leeches are working equally well. Smallies are looking for shady cover, over rock bars in 4 to 10 feet of water.  A particularly productive area would be the rock shell off of the county park.  There are also good reports of some fish in sand/gravel areas at 4 to 10 feet.  The action below the dam, while still there, is not quite as strong as it has been.  Crawlers are working as the live bait of choice, and any type of imitation crayfish pattern plastic is quite good. Largemouth are real shallow in the heavy slop and weeds/lily pad areas. Indeed, some of the largemouth are right up close to the shoreline.  Look for shade.  The largemouth are seeking the shady areas.  Best baits are buzzbaits in black and orange, or a weedless frog like a Superfrog, or a weedless mouse, which you'll run over the top of the lily pads.  A Texas Rig, with a big crawler or plastic imitation is always good. Some bluegill action in the shallow water, weed areas.  Fish back-bays, inlets and coves.  Use a waxie or a worm. Crappie are real scattered.  You'll get them in 5 feet of water, and then nothing there, and suddenly you'll get them in 20 feet of water.  If you hit a school, you'll do real well.  The deeper crappie will suspend over rockpiles, off of crib sides, and over brushpiles.  Minnows will work, and, surprise, surprise, right now the best action is coming on waxies. Small northerns are right on the edges of weedbeds, from 4 to 12 feet. Float a sucker minnow over the tops of the weeds, or throw a weedless spinnerbait or spoon off the weed edges. 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 disabled.  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 8-8-04 Walleye and muskie picking up 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: While I'd like to see it even warmer to really turn on that classic "nasty" muskie bite, which is so prevalent in August, things aren't bad.  The muskie are sort of "lashing out" at baits that come into their territory. They're cruising the weedlines anywhere from 5 to 15 feet of water, and hitting throughout the day -- and when they hit, it's a  real hard, solid hit.  The bite is not at its peak, but at least it's steady, and hard work along with patience are producing strikes.  Use any type of surface bait right now. A nice, steady walleye bite is occurring on the deeper, clearer lakes in 12 to 30 feet of water.  Look for rockpiles, or the real deep weeds.  The walleye are loosely schooling in these areas.  A jig and a minnow will work best.  Seems that when the walleye are deep like they are, they prefer minnows. A good bite from bluegills and perch in the weeds, in 6 to 12 feet of water.  Use a waxie, garden worm, chunk of crawler, or a small leech.  Some decent-sized fish are being reported. Largemouth are hitting in the real shallow, heavy weed / lilypad areas, and where there are shallow stump fields and cover.  Use a weedless surface-running bait, like one of those plastic frogs or mice (green or white).  You can also drop a Texas Rig or a jig tipped with a big live crawler, or a scented imitation. 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 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. Come to Presque Isle for all the reasons stated above; also for special events that include: --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 8-8-04 Largemouth and smallies hitting well 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: Best thing going right on for anglers in the Rice Lake area seem to be bass.  The largemouth are  hanging in their usual summer haunts -- shallow, heavy weeds; lilypads; and stump fields -- and, on real warm days, the largemouth will move out to weedlines or stump fields in 8 to 12 feet of water.  For the shallow bass, use a weedless surface runner, like one of those green or white plastic frogs or mice.  A surface spinnerbait should also produce.  For the deeper depths, try a Texas Rig, hooked up with a big, live crawler, or a scented imitation -- this same rig should work for the shallow bass, in the heavy weeds as well. Smallies are right where they should be at this time of year -- over rockpiles, boulders, and off of rocky points anywhere from 8 to 15 feet of water.  Use a crayfish imitation plastic, or a skirted grub, like a Chomper, in brown/orange/red.  You can try a leech, but I believe the artificials will produce better right now. Small northerns are all over, and biting off-and-on.  Fish any weedline, 4 to 15 feet of water.  Spinnerbaits (I prefer white, gold/yellow, or chartreuse), or a shiny spoon with a piece of pork rind on it. Muskie are fairly slow.  Fish are being caught, but the bite is not real aggressive.  You can fish for the muskie over rockpiles or at weedlines, in 15 feet of water or so.  Right now, I'd try a deep-diving crankbait. Sometimes, at night, the muskie will move shallower, along the weedlines, looking for panfish.  At that time, I'd try a surface bait, or bucktail. Don't forget that the muskie will usually hang further out from the weedlines than the northern. Walleye have also slowed down.  During the day, fish the walleye over rockpiles in 15 to 25 feet of water (depending on the lake) -- they will be deep during those sun hours.  Towards dusk and into the evening, fish the weedlines in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Use a jig and a leech. Panfish action is sporadic.  Fish bluegills and perch in 6 to 10 feet of water in the weeds (the perch will hug the bottom, usually, and the gills will move up and down the water column).  Use a garden worm or waxies. Crappie action is slow.  Fish crib sides or over brushpiles in 12 to 15 feet of water using a plastic tube bait.  The crappie will usually suspend tight to the crib sides, and anglers should remember that crappie only bite "up."  Also, the fish that are suspending higher up in the water column are usually more aggressive than the ones just off the bottom. 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: -- Last time to catch the "Music in the Park" concerts at the bandshell in Rice Lake will be Thursday evening 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. --Sat., Oct. 2, 2004:  Rug braiding workshop at the Hunt t 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 8-8-04 Muskie bite improving, along with some decent panfish and bass action in the St. Germain area. On behalf of the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce, here's what area guides are reporting: Muskie hunters have seen improved action in the St. Germain area, with deeper, clearer lakes producing nicely, especially on overcast days. Deeper-running crankbaits are proving best.  The smaller, darkwater lakes are also doing well, with the daytime bite getting better.  Surface baits are working the best on the smaller, dark-water lakes.  For those who prefer going for a special trophy fish, the night bite is still better, with daytime hours producing more, but smaller fish. There's pretty good bass action for both largemouth and smallies.  The largemouth are looking for cover and shade, in and around shallow, heavy weed growth and lilypads.  Anglers are also having luck tossing into pier areas and shallower stump fields.  A good-sized leech will work well, or a Texas Rig, with a big live crawler or imitation plastic will engender hits. Smallies are hanging out over hardbottom (rockpiles and boulders) areas  in 10 to 12 feet of water, but also are being found along the shorelines with hardbottom, sand and gravel. A plastic imitation crayfish pattern plastic, run up over a jig head (orange is a good color), or a similar type crankbait will work, with smallies hitting the same leeches as the largemouth, if you prefer using live bait. There is very good bluegill action in shallower weeds on both Pickerel and Found Lakes.  Use a garden worm, waxie. or tube jig Other lakes with excellent panfish action right now (mainly bluegills and perch in the weeds) are  both Fawn Lake and Lake Content.  Use worms and waxies for the gills, and minnows or leeches for the perch.  The perch (some nice jumbos are being caught) will normally be in deeper weeds, fairly close to the bottom, with the gills around the shallower weeds -- although you're liable to get both in either area. Crappie have moved deeper, but the action is sporadic at best.   Try cribsides or fish over deeper brushpiles. The crappie will be suspending over these deeper water areas.  Use a minnow. Northern are cruising, closer to the weedline edges than the muskie, or hovering in weed pockets.  Depths can range from 4 to even 15 feet, with the bigger northern normally in the deeper weedline areas.  Throw a minnow or perch pattern Huskie Jerk, a weedless hook, with a large chub floated over the tops of the weeds, or dropped with a jig into the weed pockets or weedline edges, or any noisy, flashy bait (chartreuse or white spinnerbait), or shiny spoon (tipped with a piece of pork rind). Walleye action is just OK -- nothing special.  There are some walleye (and northern) being caught by trollers on the Rainbow Flowage using crankbaits, and on bigger lakes, like Big St. Germain, anglers are having some success over deeper rockpiles or off deeper weedlines.  The bite is not steady, with the better action at night -- both numbers and sizes. In addition to its wonderful fishing, St. Germain boasts all kinds of unique, fun, community events, festivals, and outdoor opportunities.  St. Germain has 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 AND Taste of the Northwoods AND Heritage Fest (French Trader Days), live folk and bluegrass music, and large craft Fair, all in St. Germain. -- 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. --Sat., Oct. 30, 2004:  Annual Octobearfest at Black Bear Lodge in St. Germain.  Cabin craft show, hay rides, pumpkin carving, chainsaw carving, German music, beer garden.  Brat and hot dog sale benefits Vilas County Historical Museum. 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 8-8-04 Muskie, walleye and bluegill fishing picking up nicely on Lake Namakagon. On behalf of Lakewoods Resort, here's what area guide Dave Scanlon is reporting: "Feast or famine," right?!  One week, fishing is off, next week it's on. This week it's "on" on Lake Namakagon. Nice muskie action for good-sized fish.  Daytime is as good as nighttime. Fish either the rockpiles or the weedlines in 10 to 12 feet of water.  The muskie seem to be generally near the surface.  Best success is on jerkbaits. We're picking up walleye over rockpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water during the day, and then those same walleye are moving to the weedlines in 10 to 15 feet of water at dusk into the evening hours.   Use a slipbobber rig and a leech.  An added bonus -- picked up (and lost!) a nice muskie while going for walleye -- both species are in the same general area. Crazy good bluegill fishing -- for fish in the 6 to 9 inch range.  Fish rockpiles (not a misprint!) in 10 to 15 feet of water, using a garden worm or little tube jig.  We were catching and releasing the bluegills as fast as we could throw our lines back in the water.  What a great time to take a kid -- of any age!  The action is fast and furious, and lots of fun. Some crappie and perch are biting on the weedlines in 8  to 10 feet of water.  Use a small minnow or tube jig. 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 lovely 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's 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 at Lakewoods, include: -- Sat., Sept. 11, 2004:  Annual Forest Ridges Golf Scramble. -- Sat., Oct. 30, 2004:  Annual Horror-ble Halloween at Lakewoods. Several-corpse special dinner; live entertainment; costume party; prizes and games; special packages, rates, welcome party. 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 -30- End of report 9:26:49 PM    comment []

Live streaming while you work... Just got off the air with Mike Jackson, who broadcasts live Sunday morning from 6 to 7 on the Outdoor Sports Radio Network.  I suppose all you computer geeks know you can listen to live radio while working on your computer, but dummie me, who does plenty of multi-tasking anyway, didn't know that!  Works the same way as playing a CD while working on your computer or online. Later... 7:02:38 AM    comment []