Northwoods Fishing/Outdoor Report 7-13-09

gengberg July 13th, 2009

As of July 13, 2009:

Outdoor and Fishing Reports for:
– Eagle River, Wisconsin;
– Wausau, Wisconsin area;
– Lake of the Woods and Rainy River out of Sportsman’s Lodge (Baudette,
Minnesota).
—–
—–

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

- - Good to excellent action for northern, bass, and panfish, with a good
muskie bite including some real trophies, and walleye hitting fair to good
in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

- -Walleye, northern, panfish putting on a strong bite, with muskie action
picking up in the Wausau, Wisconsin area.

- - Veteran anglers saying that walleye fishing ­ including trophies‹is the
best it’s been in decades on Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman’s Lodge,
Baudette, Minnesota.

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and calendar highlights:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of July 13, 2009:

(Head): Good to excellent action for northern, bass, and panfish, with a
good muskie bite including some real trophies, and walleye hitting fair to
good in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

(Lead): High summer providing some very good all around fishing in the
Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

Northern in the Eagle River area putting on a strong bite. Fish 10 feet of
water or less in and around weeds. Use a Husky Jerk in a minnow or perch
pattern, spinner baits, a #5 Mepps, or try a northern sucker or chub under a
slip bobber.

Both smallies and largemouth are providing very good to excellent action in
the Eagle River area. Fish smallies in five to 15 feet of water along break
edges. Use a small Mepps, a three inch tube, or a four inch Senko, rigged
whacky. For largemouth fish 10 feet of water or less in and around weeds,
docks and downed trees. Use a plastic lizard, a topwater bait, or a Texas
rig with a plastic worm.

Panfish ­ including crappies, bluegills and perch - -are pretty-much hanging
together in the Eagle River area. Fish 10 feet of water or less in and
around weeds. The perch will be hugging the bottom, and the crappies and
gills will be suspending all up-and-down the water column. Use a crappie
minnow or a crawler under a slip bobber. Plenty of action, albeit there’s a
mixed bag of sizes, and anglers need to be prepared to do some sorting.

The muskie bite is “good” in the Eagle River area, and what’s particularly
telling is that muskie hunters are reportedly picking up some real trophies-
-with sizes near 50 inches. Bucktails are still the bait of choice in
yellow, black and brown with gold blades. Also, seeing a steady increase in
surface baits working during the morning and evening hours. The medium
size, quieter surface baits seem to be the pattern muskies prefer now.
Small Mud Puppies and Globe baits are the ticket. Speed and a good figure 8
are a must. Too slow a presentation and all you’ll get are follows, and a
good deep figure 8 will get you fish you never saw coming in. Fish weeds in
the 4 to 8 foot depth range. Learning to work thick weeds is a must, and
drifting large weed flats are producing well.

Walleye action in the Eagle River area is fair to good. Fish 15 feet of
water or less near weeds. Use a jig tipped with a minnow or crawler. Best
times to fish are from mid-day through sunset.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative
Brilliance interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” and 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
* “Muskie Matt”, 715-479-8086; e-mail: info@muskiematt.com
* Guide’s Choice Pro Shop (Mat Hegy), 715-477-2248
* George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804.
e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
—–

***Some special calendar highlights for Eagle River, Wisconsin:

- - Every Sunday, thru Sept. 6, 2009: Eagle River guide, Muskie Matt’sMuskie 1st girl wild eagle
Fishing Jamboree at Wild Eagle Lodge. Held from 3-5 pm, on Wild Eagle
Lodge’s Lynx Lake piers. Open to the public. Bait provided. Some fishing
gear also available. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.or

- - Wed., August 19, 2009: 28th Annual Paul Bunyan Fest. Downtown Eagle
River. Chain saw carving, 60 arts-n-crafts vendors, live music and a Paul
Bunyan Roast Cook-off. Paul Bunyan size luncheon includes a huge beef
sandwich, potato salad, corn and a cookie. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce;
800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org.

- - Fri.-Sun., August 21-23, 2009: 24th Annual National Championship Musky
Open. The Eagle River Chamber of Commerce along with the Musky Clubs
Alliance of Wisconsin host this family oriented catch-and-release musky
tournament held on six different lake families. Lots of fun. Lots of great
musky action for all. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org.

- -Sat./Sun. , Aug. 22-23, 2009: Franklin Freestyle Wakeboard Tournament.
Action packed competition for this USA Waterski Tournament takes place on
Franklin Lake. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400;
e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org.

NEW: Sat./Sun, August 29-30, 2009 - Festival of Flavors in Eagle River,
Wisconsin. More than 8,000 people are expected to attend the first annual
event, where participating restaurants, bakeries, cheese producers, and
wineries will offer tasting of an array of regional culinary products from
booths inside a tent in Eagle River’s Riverview Park. A paid admission will
allow tasting at 45 different booths.

Dozens of North Woods businesses
will take partnership roles in the Festival of Foods, along with major
participation by the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, Wisconsin Department of
Agriculture, Discover Wisconsin Media, and a cooperative coalition of
northern communities. Children with paid adults will receive a free
“Wisconsin Goodie Bag”.
The festival will also include a Grilled Wisconsin
Cheese recipe contest, “Targeting Hunger with Tomatoes” (rotten tomatoes
thrown at local celebrities to benefit food pantry), a walleye shore lunch
sampling near the banks of Eagle River, and boat rides on the Eagle River
Chain of Lakes, plus entertainment and cooking demonstrations. On Sunday,
Aug. 30, a Nutrition, Health and Fitness Expo will be held in the same large
tent as Saturday’s tasting event. Contact: Eagle River Chamber of Commerce &
Visitors Center, 800-359-6315, www.eagleriver.org

- -Sun., Aug. 30, 2009: 16th annual Walter E. Olson Library Foundation Golf
Classic. Eagle River Golf Course. 18 hole scramble; four person teams;
carts furnished. $1500 in prizes (two flights), plus other great prizes and
awards. Help benefit the Eagle River community and have a great time doing
it! Sign up today. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org.

—–
—–

***Wausau, Wisconsin area (MARATHON, PORTAGE & LINCOLN counties), — as of
July 13, 2009:

(Editor’s note: The daily bag limit for walleyes on many waters in the
Wausau area (always check the regulations on the particular water, first) is
five (5) fish per day throughout the year while the daily bag limit for
walleye in many areas north of Wausau may only be two to three fish because
of Native American spearing initiatives and the resulting DNR “quota
limits”).
—–
—–

(Head): Walleye, northern, panfish putting on a strong bite, with muskie
action picking up in the Wausau, Wisconsin area.

(Lead): Fish are frequenting their usual summer spots in the Wausau area.

Walleyes are providing some great action in the Wausau area. Deep structure
in 12 to 16 feet of water has been holding fish consistently. Jigs tipped
with crawlers or minnows provides the best bite, even on sunny days.

The northern bite in the Wausau area is very good. Lots of nice fish are
being taken on spinnerbaits, with a few even hitting topwaters. Shallow
weeds have been the most consistent area for northerns, but shoreline wood
has produced some real hawgs, as well.

The panfish bite (crappies and bluegills) keeps getting better and better.
Daily limits of these feisty eaters have been keeping anglers busy in the
Wausau area. Slip bobbers baited with minnows or worms set three to six
feet down, in 14 to 16 feet of water have been producing best.

After the recent cold spell, the musie action is starting to pick back up.
Nice fish in the upper 30 to mid-forty inch range are coming on topwater
baits and bucktails. Deep weed edges in six to 12 feet of water are
providing good numbers and good sizes.

(This report based on interview with guide Phil Schweik of Hooksetters
Fishing & Hunting Guide Service, Mosinee. Wisconsin).

For more information about fishing and hunting in the Wausau/Central
Wisconsin area:
* Phil Schweik, Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services: phone:
715-693-5843; e-mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz
—–
—–

***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 July
13, 2009:

(Head): Veteran anglers saying that walleye fishing ­ including trophies‹is
the best it’s been in decades on Lake of the Woods, out of Sportsman’s
Lodge, Baudette, Minnesota.(Lead): Sportsman’s Lodge guides say that the fishing action is so
furious, that all they have time for is baiting hooks all day long.

Many highly experienced anglers are scratching their heads wondering why the
fishing this season is so spectacular on Lake of the Woods. Savvy locals
say it’s a series of events over a fifty year time frame that have all
played a part. The commercial netters have been taken off the lake, there’s
strict pollution control, and more recently the reduction in the limit of
walleye from six to four; a new slot size limit (no walleyes can be kept
between 19.5 and 28 inches) that is strictly enforced, and only one walleye
over 28 inches can be kept. In addition, Lake of the Woods is healthier
than it’s been in years.

Best action right now is coming in eight to thirteen feet of water in and
around either mud or rocks, in Big Traverse Bay. A gold crawler harness
tipped with a fat worm has been best.

With stable weather, the action at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge and Eagle
Ridge property in the Northwest Angle (40 miles out on Lake of the Woods- -
like some remote Canadian fly-in destination with all the amenities) has
been just great. Sportsman’s guests have been catching many nice walleyes
in the sand and rock bottoms around eighteen to twenty-two feet of water. A
gold spinner or a bright colored jig, tipped with a leech or worm have been
the hot lures. Limits of eater walleyes between fourteen to nineteen inches
are not hard to come by in Sportsman’s Oak Island area, along with very good
numbers of trophy fish.

Sportsman’s Oak Island is in Minnesota, but within two miles of Canadian
waters. Sportsman’s Lodge can hook you up to fish in both American AND
Canadian waters. Just ask us. This “two-fer” is a memorable adventure
experience in all ways.

Sportsman’s guests are guided in 27 foot, inboard cruisers, with cuddy and
head. Perfect comfort and safety to go along with fantastic fishing.

Muskie season is now open on Lake of the Woods. Get your reservations in
for one of Sportsman’s Lodge’s expert muskie guides. There are some real
trophies lurking in Lake of the Woods. (This report based on Creative
Brilliance interview with Sportsman’s Lodge co-owner, Gregg Hennum).

Sportsman’s Lodge. phone: 866-750-0809; web: www.sportsmansmn.com)
—–

***More summer highlights and activities at Sportsman’s Lodges:

– Sturgeon Fishing: the harvest dates for 2009 are July 1 - Sept 30.
Northern, bass, crappie and perch are open all year. Muskie season opened
June 20th.

– Sportsman’s Lodge is now booking Leonard C fish fry and cocktail cruises
for groups of 20 or more on Lake of the Woods. Sportsman’s Lodge also has
banquet facilities for up to 300. Special planning is available for groups,
wedding, meetings and reunions. There is no better way to enjoy family and
friends than the unique offerings that Sportsman’s has - -and don’t forget
the spectacular, world-class fishing!

– 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). Sportsman’s Eagle
Ridge has two cabins with accommodations for up to16 and is available for
extended stays.

– 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. Fish for walleye, sauger, northern,
bass and jumbo perch from the main lodge or at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge.
Contact Sportsman’s Lodge for information about required permits, licenses
and opportunities.

NEW: Fri./Sat., Aug. 7-8, 2009: Annual Blueberry Festival & Chili Cook Off
at Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge. Great food. Great fun. Great fishing!
Don’t miss this great annual event. Entertainment and prizes galore

NEW: Sat. Aug. 8, 2009: Sportsman’s Oak Island Lodge in conjunction with
the American Cancer Society will host the Relay for Life “Island Style” to
honor a survivor or in memory of someone who fought the battle with cancer.
Luminaries decorated in honor of the person designated can be purchased for
only $10, and will be lit with glow sticks during a moving ceremony on docks
in the Northwest Angle and island area. Call for details.

NEW: Fri./Sat., Aug 28-29, 2009: 5th Annual Biker Rally at Sportsman’s
Lodge. This total “blast” is Sportsman’s salute to all bikers who enjoy a
ton of fun, prizes, entertainment, special contests, and some fabulous
fishing. TNT tattoos, bike show, fun run, Texas hold ‘em tournament, bikini
bike wash, horsehoes, beer pong and biker golf tournaments, chainsaw
carving. Lodgin and camping available.

—–
For more information on any of the above: Sportsman’s Lodge, phone:
866-750-0809; web: www.sportsmansmn.com
—–
—–
Reports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. ©2009.
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance
608-827-6483; 800-975-5474 (media). e-mail: cre8vads@cheqnet.net;
cre8vRay@charter.net.

Comments are closed.

Trackback URI |