Northwoods Report by Naomi Shapiro 9-1-08

gengberg September 3rd, 2008

 

As of September 1, 2008:  Gary Engberg Outdoors will now be posting the Northwoods Report by outdoor and travel writer, Naomi Shapiro.The report from Naomi covers the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area, Eagle River, and the Sportsman Lodge on Lake of the Woods. Her fishing reports and outdoor happening are fresh and up to the day reports. I welcome Naomi and Ray Smith to the website and hope that you read and find that there are great places to fish and hunt for all species of fish and game.  

Fishing, Outdoor, and Event Reports for Eagle River, Wisconsin,
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area; Lake of the Woods and Rainy River out of
Sportsman's Lodge (Baudette, Minnesota).

1. THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES:

-- Excellent walleye bite continues, with great action for musky and
northern, along with anglers preparing for fall sturgeon season, on the
south end of Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman's Lodge, Baudette,
Minnesota.

--  Northern bite excellent, with very good musky, smallie, largemouth and
panfish bite, and walleye hitting fair to good, in the Eagle River,
Wisconsin area.

--  Musky biting hard, walleye action picking up dramatically, crappie and
bluegill bite outstanding, and catfish very active in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area; while hunters bait for the upcoming bear season, and tune up
their gear for the deer archery season.

- - EDITOR'S NOTE: Information for all upcoming Wisconsin hunting and
trapping seasons is posted at the end of these reports, with gracious thanks
to guide Phil Schweik of Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services,
Mosinee, for providing the excellent information.
-----

2. WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and current calendars:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) -- as of September 1, 2008:

(Head): Northern bite excellent, with very good musky, smallie, largemouth
and panfish bite, and walleye hitting fair to good, in the Eagle River,
Wisconsin area. 

Northern are putting on an excellent bite in the Eagle River area.  Fish 10
feet of water or less in and around the weeds.  Use a small Mepps, or a
Rapala floating minnow.

Musky action is very good to excellent in the Eagle River area.  Fish weed
edges and break edges in 20 feet of water or less. Small bucktails,
crankbaits and topwaters are all working.

Smallies are hanging in 20 feet of water on hardbottom edges in the Eagle
River area and putting on a strong bite.  Use 3 to 4 inch tube jigs,  or a
lipless crankbait.  Chartreuse and fire tiger are the hot colors.

Largemouth are still holding tight to structure in the Eagle River area, and
providing very good action.  Fish piers, docks, drowned wood and heavy
weeds.   Use a 7 inch ribbon tail worm, a lizard or weedless frog.

Panfish - -crappies, bluegills and perch - -are all hanging together in the
Eagle River area, and are providing very good numbers, and some real nice
sized fish, even while doing some sorting.  Fish 10 feet of water or less in
the weeds.  Use a crappie minnow, or chunk of crawler under a small jig or
under a slip bobber.

The walleye action in the Eagle River area remains fair to good.  Fish 25
feet of water or less, with bottom ranging from mud flats to weed edges.
Use a jig and a minnow, crawler or leech.  While action is day dependent,
the bite will peak early or late in the day.

Now is the time to start getting your gear in shape for the upcoming bear
and deer seasons. The Eagle River area provides excellent hunting
opportunities.  I am an avid hunter and will be happy to answer your
questions, without any obligation (Mat Hegy, Guides Choice Pro Shop, Eagle
River).  

 (Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative
Brilliance interview with licensed 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
—–

***Some outdoor activities and events coming up in Eagle River, Wisconsin:

NEW: Eagle River, The Snowmobile Capital of the World®, voted number one  as
The People’s Choice ­ “The Best Wisconsin Town for a Snowmobiling Getaway.”
Thousands from the state and nation voted in The Wonders of Wisconsin
competition.  Eagle River was also ranked number three for “Best Town for a
Fishing Getaway” and “Best Town for a Boating Getaway.”

- - Sun., Sept. 7, 2008:  15th Annual Walter E. Olson Library Foundation
Golf Classic at the Eagle River Golf Course.  $1500 in prizes, two flights;
plus other great prizes and awards. Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce &
Visitors Center: 800-359-6315; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org 

– Fri./Sat., Sept. 12-13, 2008:  Run to the Eagle Motorcycle Rally, at the
Eagle River Derby Track.  Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors
Center: 800-359-6315; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

- -Sat./Sun., Sept. 21-22, 2008:  Paul’s Pro-Am Musky Tournament.
Headquarters at Hiawatha Hideaway on Duck Lake.  Annual event, hosting avid
professional and amateur musky hunters.  Great fun, and plenty of action.
Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 800-359-6315;
e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

– Fri.-Sun., Oct. 10-12, 2008:  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.
Eagle River Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center: 800-359-6315;
e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

GENERAL:  The fall season in Eagle River, Wisconsin means many things:
Beautiful crisp weather, pristine forest with the fall colors of vibrant
reds, golds, and yellows; 1200 lakes including the Eagle River Chain of 28
lakes (the largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world), providing
excellent fall fishing along with unmatched deer, bear, bird, and waterfowl
hunting.  Great time for hiking, biking, birding, picnicking, fall
festivals, fabulous fishing, hunting, exploring and just plain relaxing.
Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; web:
www.eagleriver.org
—–
—–

***Wausau/Central Wisconsin area (MARATHON COUNTY, including the communities
of Kronenwetter, Mosinee, Rib Mountain, Rothschild, Schofield, Wausau, and
Weston) — as of September 1, 2008:

(Head):  Musky biting hard, walleye action picking up dramatically, crappie
and bluegill bite outstanding, and catfish very active in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area; while hunters bait for the upcoming bear season, and tune up
their gear for the deer archery season.

Cool nights have fish starting to move to fall locations in the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.

Muskies are still the number one species being targeted.  Some real nice
fish are being caught and released by musky hunters in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area.  Bulldawgs and jerkbaits are being hit hard.  Work deep weed
edges by holding the boat in about 10 feet of water and casting into the
outside weed edges with your baits. The muskies are holding just off the
weed edge.

Walleye action has picked up dramatically in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin
area.  A lot of nice fish are being taken by working the deeper pools in the
area lakes and on the mighty Wisconsin River. Target locations, 12 to 16
feet deep and work them with deep diving crankbaits or jig and minnow
presentations.

The action for slab crappies and bull gills is outstanding in the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area. Work deep structure on the bottom of area
lakes and the Wisconsin River channel.  Target these areas with a jig and
minnow, or jig and crawler combos for best results.

Catfish in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area have been very active,
especially early and late in the day.  BIG feisty cats in the 10 to 15 pound
range are common.  Quarter-ounce jigs tipped with small suckers, slowly
dragged on the bottom of the deepest pools will catch cats almost every
time.  Don’t be surprised if you pick up a lunker walleye or northern while
doing this, as well.

Bear season starts September 3, and most hunters in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area have been baiting for quite a while now.  Deer archery season
is not far away, and if you haven’t don so already, it is time to tune your
gear, do some location scouting and get ready for the upcoming season.
You’ll never do better then in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area (Phil
Schweik).

  The hunting season is starting.  Check out the season opener dates and
information on when to start getting some great wild turkey, deer, bear, and
waterfowl hunting in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.  Check out all the
regulations and seasons at the conclusion of these reports.

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).

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

—–

***Some outdoor activities and events coming up in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area in the coming weeks

– Sat., Sept. 20, 2008: 8th Annual  Big Eau Pleine Park Trail Run.  Variety
of distances.  Proceeds benefit Marathon Parks Foundation.  Food and
refreshments at end of race.  Eau Pleine County Park, West Unit, Mosinee.

- - Sat., Sept. 27, 2008:  Universe in the Park. Enjoy this wonderful
outreach program of the Dept. of Astronomy, U.W. Madison.  Begins just after
sunset at Rib Mountain State Park.  Talk and slide show about astronomy.
Visitors will view whatever astronomical objects are available, through
provided telescopes.  Heavenly opportunity to see heavenly bodies.

– Sat./Sun., Sept. 27-28, 2008:  Nineteenth Annual Wausau Grass Drags &
Swap Meet.  Wisconsin’s largest snowmobile & ATV swap meet and dealer expo.
NSRA sanctioned snowmobile racing. Kitty Cats/120 cc races. ATV/mini rod
pulls fall shoot out. Food and refreshments.

– Sat./Sun., Sept. 27-28 and Oct. 4-5, 2008:  Fall Color Comet Sky Ride at
Granite Peak Ski area.  Features a six seat chair lift.  Ability to walk
around and resume ride.  Explore the incredible fall beauty of Rib Mountain
State Park.  Information: Granite Peak Ski Area at Rib Mountain State Park.
Phone:  715-845-2846, or visit skigranitepeak.com.

GENERAL:  The Wausau/Central Wisconsin’s fall 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).   Hunters flock to the
area’s enormous tracts of public land for some of the finest turkey, bear,
deer, bird and waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin.  Wonderful tracts of forest
with breathtaking fall colors, pristine waters, 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
—–
—–

***Sportsman’s Lodge and Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge on the Rainy River,
and southern end of Lake of The Woods (Baudette, Minnesota) — as of
September 1, 2008: 

(Head): Excellent walleye bite continues, with great action for musky and
northern, along with anglers preparing for fall sturgeon season, on the
south end of Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman’s Lodge.

Sportsman’s Lodge guests are catching limits of walleyes, fishing mud flats
in 20 to 30 feet of water. Bait fishing with a crawler, or trolling with
Rapalas are both proving to be successful.  In the next few weeks the water
temps start to decrease and the fish start moving in to the Rainy River.
The “emerald shiner run” as its called on the Rainy River (the shiners are
chased by all species up the Rainy River) provides the finest fishing of the
year at Sportsman’s Lodge.  And anglers shouldn’t forget about the fall
“harvest” sturgeon season, which runs until Sept. 30th.  Then the
catch-and-release sturgeon season starts on Oct. 1, and runs to April 23,
2009.   Huge fish are the reward for the avid sturgeon angler at Sportsman’s
Lodge.  Sportsman’s Lodge favors that ALL sturgeon, even if they are
“in-season” for harvest should be released, and allowed to provide the
needed conservation and preservation of this magnificent fish for the
future.

At Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge (40 miles out on Lake of the Woods - -like a
remote Canadian fly-in destination with all the amenities), lots of 18 to 25
inch walleyes are hitting in the calmer water on the points and mud bottoms
in 10 to 15 feet of water.  White or pink jigs are the best colors.  The
musky and northern bite also held strong, with lots of nice fish being
caught and released in the 30 to 50 inch range.

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)
—–

Highlights at Sportsman’s Lodges:

NEW - - :  Fall Lund Alaskan fishing trips on the Rainy River.  Fabulous
fishing in spots that bigger boats cannot access.  Our brand new 18 foot
Lund Alaskan boat gets you into fishing that you’ve never experienced.
Guide, bait, tackle and fish cleaning, for up to four people, only $400 per
day.

NEW - -: Emerald shiner run on the Rainy River out of Sportsman’s Lodge.
Some of the greatest fishing of the year. Non-stop action for walleye,
northern, crappie, perch, lake sturgeon and smallmouth bass.  End of
September and beginning of October.  Anglers can bring their own boats or
take advantage of Sportsman’s 10% off regular rates.

– Sun.-Thurs., Sept. 14-18, 2008:  Association of Great Lakes Outdoor
Writers (AGLOW) will hold their annual conference at Sportsman’s Lodge.
Nationally known outdoor writers, media and journalists from all over the
United States who specialize in the Great Lakes areas will attend.

– 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.

- -Hunting seasons of all types are starting right now in the Sportsman’s
Lodge area.  Bear season opens Sept. 1; early goose season, Sept. 6-22; deer
archery season opens Sept. 13; waterfowl opens Oct. 4; firearm deer season
opens Nov. 8; muzzleloader deer season opens Nov. 29; AND there are any
number of “specialized seasons” from now until the end of 2008.  Now is the
time to make your reservations at Sportsman’s Lodge for some of the greatest
hunting in North America.  Sportsman’s Lodge hunting guides are proven
experts in how to bag your quarry, with a great deal of excitement and the
camaraderie that only a hunt can provide.  Trophies abound.  Call us for
information about permit applications and make your reservations now. Quack
Addicts, the affiliated hunting club of Sportsman’s Lodge has access to
thousands of acres of prime waterfowl hunting land to guide you to your bag
limit.

—–   

For more information on any of the above: Sportsman’s Lodge, phone:
800-862-8602, or 218-634-1342; web: www.sportsmanslodges.com
—–
—–

3.  WARNINGS AND INFO FOR A FEW WEEKS OUT

- - The fall Wisconsin musky season provides great opportunities for trophy
fish in both the Eagle River and Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.  Contact
each area for information.  Contact info is contained at the end of each
area’s fishing/outdoor report.  All caring musky anglers release every fish
caught, after taking a photo. Modern day technology can produce a perfect
wall hanging or trophy from a photograph.  Please help protect this
magnificent game fish by practicing catch-and-release, exclusively.

- - Hunters should start checking gear for the start of the fall turkey,
waterfowl, bear and deer seasons.  All of our reporting areas offer some of
the finest hunting opportunities in North America. Contact information for
each area is located at the end of their particular report.

 GENERAL: Each reporting area has pro- and pro-am fishing tournaments of all
types throughout the year (musky, walleye, sturgeon, panfish, bass and
northern).  Upcoming tournaments are listed and featured at the end of each
weekly report for every reporting area.  Lots of fun, with prizes galore for
each tournament.

NEW:  2008 Hunting and trapping information for all Wisconsin seasons.
(Editor’s note:  Our gracious thanks to guide Phil Schweik of Hooksetters
Fishing & Hunting Guide Services of Mosinee for providing all posted
information).

Check out the season opener dates below for information on when and where
you can start.
Hunting and Trapping Season Dates
Season dates for all species are found on this page. Some species listed are
protected and therefore do not have a season. Some seasons are subject to
change before hunting and trapping regulations pamphlets are published.
Consult the regulation pamphlets
<http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/regs/index.htm> before going
into the field.

Check the Outdoor Report <http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/news/or/>
for the most up to date hunting and outdoor news releases or the Hunting and
Trapping Regulations <http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/wildlife/regs/>
for more details on hunting and trapping in Wisconsin.

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