Northwoods Report by Naomi Shapiro 12-1-08

gengberg December 3rd, 2008

As of December 1, 2008:

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).
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THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

– Ice is not safe in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area. A few boats still
getting out, with northern action good to excellent, and an average to good
walleye and bluegill bite.

– Rainy River producing great walleye action, as ice starts forming on Lake
of the Woods, out of Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette, Minnesota.

– Ice starting to form in thin sheets in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin
area, with unsafe conditions for ice fishing prevailing. A few boats still
getting out, with walleye, panfish and northerns hitting well.

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and current calendars:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of December 1, 2008:

(Head): Ice is not safe in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area. A few boats are
still getting out, with northern action good to excellent, and an average to
good walleye and bluegill bite.

This is a tricky time of year for anglers in the Eagle River area. Ice is
forming, but is absolutely unsafe. A boat here-and-there is still able to
get out, and a very few intrepid and lifelong resident locals who know the
lakes inside-out are going out to small, specific areas that they are
completely familiar with, and that have just enough ice thickness to support
them. Best rule of thumb is to stay off the ice! We will keep you closely
advised as ice conditions improve. Don’t take any risks. A little patience
now will insure a safe and great ice fishing season for all.

Northern in the Eagle River area are putting on a strong bite in and around
the weeds in 15 feet of water or less. Open water anglers are jigging and
those few ice anglers are setting tip-ups, using large golden shiners or
walleye suckers.

Walleye are in two patterns in the Eagle River area. Anglers are fishing
deep holes in 15 to 25 feet of water, or 15 feet of water or less in and
around weeds. Jigging or setting tip-ups using golden shiners or walleye
suckers are preferred. Average to good action.

Bluegills in the Eagle River area are in and around the weeds in 15 feet of
water or less. Use a small teardrop jig tipped with a waxie or spike. Some
perch are also in the same areas as the bluegills.

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

Eagle River, The Snowmobile Capital of the World®, was voted number one
People’s Choice as “Best Wisconsin Town for a Snowmobiling Getaway.” (Also
ranked in “Best Town for a Fishing Getaway” and “Best Town for a Boating
Getaway.”)
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***Wausau/Central Wisconsin area (MARATHON COUNTY, including the communities
of Kronenwetter, Mosinee, Rib Mountain, Rothschild, Schofield, Wausau, and
Weston) — as of December 1, 2008:

(Head): Ice is starting to form in thin sheets in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area, with unsafe conditions for ice fishing prevailing. A few
boats still getting out, with walleye, panfish and northerns hitting well.

Ice is just starting to form in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area, and
conditions are completely unsafe to go out. There are still a few boats
getting out, and here-and-there a rare, very knowledgeable local ice angler,
as well. Those who are trying the ice, are lifelong area residents who know
a small, and VERY specific spot to try - -and even then, professional guides
would opt not to go out. Good advice. Sit tight, and within a week or two,
certain areas may be “good to go.” We’ll let you know. Here are some very
good suggestions to latch on to for some great early ice, or late open
water, successful fishing. The fact that ice fishing methods are set out,
does not mean that anyone should be trying to get out. The suggested
methods will work when there is SAFE ICE, and not before!

Those who are fishing are reporting a very good walleye bite in the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area. Anglers are looking for weed edges in 4 to 8
feet of water and either jigging open water, or if ice fishing, setting
tip-ups. Use golden shiners or small walleye suckers and fish about a foot
off the bottom.

Panfish in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area are hitting strong. Limits of
slab crappies and big bull bluegills are coming in. Look for mud flats in 8
to 12 fee of water. Small teardrop jigs tipped with waxies or spikes will
work great. For crappies anglers are running small treble hooks (number 14)
on light line and baiting them with crappie sized minnows. Use electronics
to find the desired depth that the fish are holing at and work just above
it. Lately the fish have been holding 10 feet down in 13 to 14 feet of
water.

Some anglers are cashing in on some excellent northern fishing in the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area. Look for shallow, backwater bays or shallow
weeds. Fish in and around structure. Jig in open water, or run tip-ups
baited with golden shiners or sucker minnows, suspended either one foot off
the bottom or if it is weedy set your bait six inches to a foot below the
ice.

Be patient and STAY SAFE. Do not go out on the ice. We’ll keep you posted
on ice conditions.

And remember, the walleye, northern, and bass seasons on most of the waters
in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area REMAIN OPEN throughout the year; and
unlike so many lakes further north that have daily walleye bag limits of two
or three fish, the walleye bag limit on most of the waters of the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area remains at FIVE (5) fish.

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 based on 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, Glen Moberg); phone: 715-693-5843; e -mail:
info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz
* Wisconsin Angling Adventures (Joel DeBoer), web:
www.wisconsinanglingadventures.com; e-mail: joelthemuskyman@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:

- - Granite Peak Ski Area, Wausau at Rib Mountain now open for the season.
Hours 9am-9pm.

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***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
December 1, 2008:

(Head): Rainy River producing great walleye action, as ice starts forming on
Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette, Minnesota.

A few diehards continue to fish the ice water on the Rainy River near
Sportsman’s Lodge, and continue to pull in lots of walleyes, as the fish
chase large schools of shiners heading up river. The excellent action
portends a great ice fishing season which is now just over the horizon.

Ice has taken over the bays, small tributaries and the shores of the Rainy
River and Lake of the Woods. Temperatures have been hovering right around
freezing during the day and settling as low as five above at night. The
water temps are now a chill 33 degrees and ready to stiffen up soon. With
forecasted lower temps, major ice formation should start almost immediately.
Lake of the Woods has been known to freeze up with 12 inches of ice within a
7-10 day period of time, so a Dec. 6th (Sportsman’s Rainy River location)
and Dec. 15th (Sportsman’s Oak Island location) start date is a very real
possibility. Stay tuned!

Snowmobilers who enjoy both the adventure of traversing Lake of the Woods
and getting in some spectacular ice fishing should make reservations now at
Sportsman’s Lodge to insure full opportunity to enjoy this unmatched
“two-fer” - -some of the greatest snowmobiling and fishing in North America
on one trip.

(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 (with 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 67,000
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 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.

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

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