Northwoods Wisconsin Fishing/Outdoor Report by Naomi Shapiro 12-28-09

gengberg December 28th, 2009

As of December 28, 2009:

Outdoor and Fishing Reports for:
– Eagle River, Wisconsin;
– Central Wisconsin Lakes AND the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin’s Marathon
and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau). Walleye PS small

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

- - Ice is still iffy in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area, with some
knowledgeable locals and guides able to get out for some very nice success
with walleyes and northerns.

- - Walleye, northern crappies and bluegills putting on a great ice fishing
bite, as bow deer hunting continues until Jan. 3rd, in and amidst the lakes
and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near
Mosinee and Wausau).Deer Mitch Spillane small

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and calendar highlights:

Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of December 28, 2009:  Photo by Mitch Spillane

Ice is still iffy in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area, with some
knowledgeable locals and guides able to get out for some very nice success
with walleyes and northerns.

 Trucks, four-wheelers and individuals have been going through the
ice in the Eagle River area.

“Stupid is as stupid does.” With all the admonitions being provided by
guides, bait shops and the DNR, people are still taking ridiculous chances
and going out on lakes in the Eagle River area that are simply unsafe in
many spots- - and going through the ice. Strong suggestions: Foot travel
only, and to insure safety don’t go out unless you’re accompanied by one of
the Eagle River area’s excellent professional guides. Even the guides are
using very extreme caution, as the ice conditions generally remain about the
same - -thin and snow covered, with slush, currents, and lots of dangerous
spots. One guide put it best: “The ice is spooky.” Another said: “We have
weird ice conditions so far this season.”

Those who are getting out (generally back bays or shoreline areas on small
lakes, where they’re finding 3-4 inches of good, clear ice with 5-6 inches
of slush on top of the ice) are having some success both with walleyes and
northerns. One group using an Eagle River GUIDE reports getting 22 keeper
walleyes from 15-27 inches, the majority being in the 17-19 inch “perfect
range.” Tip-ups with large fatheads for northerns will get you “flags”
throughout the day, and from dusk into evening go for the walleyes with a
golden shiner. Fish over and around weeds in 3 to 6 feet of water ­ and
some guides are getting fish as deep as 15 feet in some back bays, where the
ice has firmed up. Also remember that frozen slush isn’t as strong as clear
ice!

Stay tuned, and we’ll keep you closely advised on ice conditions . The Eagle
River community wants everyone to come and enjoy its pristine environment
in total and complete safety.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance
interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge,
“Ranger Rick” Krueger of Guide’s 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
* Mat Hegy, 715-571-7544, e:-mail: lunkerclunkerguideservice@yahoo.com
* Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, guide/owner “Ranger Rick” Krueger 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:

****** Eagle River’s Annual Ice Palace, erected every year between Christmas
and New Year’s (weather permitting), has been a community tradition for
nearly eighty years. Breathtaking beauty with over 3,000 ten-inch locally
cut ice blocks sculpted into a new design every year. Located on major
snowmobile trail through Eagle River, everyone stops to have their picture
taken in front of the Ice Palace! Eagle River Chamber of Commerce;
800-359-6315; 715-479-6400;e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org

–Fri.-Sun., Jan. 22-24, 2010; Feb. 26-28, 2010: Wild Eagle Lodge Ice
Fishing Schools. Lodging, meals, guide service, instruction and open
discussion at a full weekend of ice fishing on the Eagle River Chain of
Lakes, with Eagle River guide, Muskie Matt. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce;
800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org.

–******Fri., Jan 8-Sun., Jan. 17, 2010: World Championship Snowmobile
Derby. Come, enjoy and experience why Eagle River is called “The Snowmobile
Capital of the World®.” The greatest, world class snowmobile racing and
event celebration attracts mega-thousands each year to Eagle River. Held at
the Derby Track, this ten day event is not to be missed. Eagle River Chamber
of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org.

– ******Fri.-Sun., Feb. 12-14, 2010: 6th Annual Labatt Blue USA Adult Pond
Hockey Championships. More than 131 teams already signed up! Enjoy and
experience this great national championship 4 on 4 Pond Hockey Championship
event, held on frozen Dollar Lake near the Chanticleer Resort in Eagle
River. Individual carved ice rinks on the lake host hundreds of players and
teams. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail:
info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org.

–Sat., Feb. 13, 2010: Wild Eagle Lodge Ice Fishing Jamboree. Fun all
ages. Prizes. Food available. Enjoy some of the best fishing of the
winter season, with family and friends. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce;
800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org.

– ******Sat/Sun., Feb. 20-21, 2010: 20th Annual Klondike Days Winter Family
Festival. Considered the most multi-faceted winter event in Wisconsin .
Native American exhibits, snow sculptures, cut-stack-split contest, dog sled
weight pulls, horse pulls, arts and crafts, quilt show, sleigh rides,
fabulous northwoods foods, live music and entertainment, historically
correct Voyageur encampment with re-creators hands-on demonstrating life in
the earliest exploration days of the area, muzzle loading and, smithing
demonstrations, and so much more. Geared to families. Something for every
taste. Learn the rich heritage and history of the Eagle River area while
enjoying this world-class grand winter exhibition and festival. Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail:
info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org
- - Fri./Sat., Feb. 26-27, 2010: Great Northern Sno-X Series Round Six Races
at the Eagle River Derby Track. Great snowmobile racing event in the
Snowmobile Capital of the World.® Eagle River Chamber of Commerce;
800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org

***(Report on Central Wisconsin Lakes AND the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin’s
Marathon and Lincoln Counties near Mosinee and Wausau), — as of December
28, 2009:

(Editor’s note: The daily bag limit for walleyes on many lakes and the
Wisconsin River in Central Wisconsin (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 Mosinee and Wausau
may only be two to three fish because of Native American spearing
initiatives and the resulting DNR “quota limits”).
—–
—–
Walleye, northern, crappies and bluegills putting on a great ice
fishing bite, as bow deer hunting continues until Jan. 3rd, in and amidst
the lakes and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln
Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).

Ice anglers and deer bow hunters both enjoying success in the
Central Wisconsin area.

The walleye action in the Central Wisconsin area has been strong early or
late in the day, going into the evening hrous. Tip ups set in 2 to 5 feet
of water, baited with shiner minnows or small suckers set inches off the
bottom are producing very well. Lakes with shallow, muddy, stump filled bays
is the magic key to success.

Norherns have been very aggressive and ice anglers are taking advantage of
this hard line nature. Tip ups baited with small to medium suckers and/or
large shiners set right along the weed edges or in open pockets in the weeds
are taking good numbers of these fresh water alligators, all day long.

Crappies and bluegills in the Central Wisconsin area are aggressively
hitting small teardrop jigs baited with waxies or spikes. Look for these
fish to be right in the weeds in 4 to 6 feet of water. Move from hole to
hole until you find them, and when you find one, you will find a whole mess
of them. It is not uncommon for ice anglers to limit out from just one
hole.

Archery deer season is still under way, until Jan. 3rd, in the Central
Wisconsin area, and the die hard hunters who are still going out are having
a great last week of hunting. The recent snowfall, combined with rain has
created tough conditions for the deer herd. The rain has frozen, and created
a layer of ice on top of the snow, making for tough conditions for the deer
herd. The smart hunter will set up on the best trails coming into or near
remaining “standing” food sources. Look for deer to be moving in the late
afternoon hours. The window may be small, but the rewards can be great at
this time of season when the big bucks have to move to specific food sources
to feed, because of unfavorable conditions.

(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

Upcoming 2010 Events and Tournaments for Hooksetter’s Fishing & Hunting
Guide Services:

NOTE: All Hooksetter’s fishing tournaments are done for CHARITY! All
proceeds from the tournaments will go to the Kippenberg Creek Kids. Entry
fees provide the cash prize money, and there is 100% payback of entry fees.
Great fishing opportunities, great fun, years of wonderful response. Join
us. Help yourself and help the Kippenberg Creek Kids!

–Sat., January 16, 2010: Hooksetters & TIE-YAS’ Pop a top Bar Ice Fishing
Tournament on Lake DuBay. $10 entry fee per person. Cash prizes, awards,
continuous raffle with wonderful items, door prizes galore, great food and
drink, many categories of fish to win in. All proceeds go to the Kippenberg
Creek Kids. Phil Schweik, Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services:
phone: 715-693-5843; e-mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz

–Sat., January 30, 2010: Hooksetters & Halfmoon Bar Ice Fishing
Tournament, on Halfmoon Lake, Mosinee. $10 entry fee per person. Cash
prizes, awards, continuous raffle with wonderful items, door prizes galore,
great food and drink, many categories of fish to win in. All proceeds go to
the Kippenberg Creek Kids. Phil Schweik, Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting
Guide Services: phone: 715-693-5843; e-mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web:
www.hooksetters.biz

–Fri./Sat., Feb. 19-20, 2010: Hooksetter’s Ice Fishing Clinic. Meet and
great the guides, seminars, hands-on ice fishing with demonstrations and
instructions. Traditional Wisconsin fish fry, awards ceremony. Free food
and drinks. Includes all transportation, gear and food. Limited to first
35 people to sign up. Kids 12 and under FREE with a paid adult. Cost:
Friday only: $25. Saturday only: $150. Fri/Sat combined: $150. Phil
Schweik, Hooksetters Fishing & Hunting Guide Services: phone: 715-693-5843;
e-mail: info@hooksetters.biz; web: www.hooksetters.biz.

NOTE the dates of upcoming Hooksetter’s charity fishing tournaments in 2010.
Stay tuned for details, and plan on attending:

Lake DuBay:
- -Sat., April 17, 2010: Spring Shoot-Out Fishing Tournament

- -Sat., August 7, 2010: Summer Days Fishing Tournament

- - Sat., Oct. 2, 2010: Fall Meltdown Fishing Tournament

Halfmoon Lake:
- -Sat., May 8, 2010: Spring Shoot-Out Fishing Tournament

- -Sat., July 24, 2010: Summer Days Fishing Tournament

–Sat., Oct. 9, 2010: Fall Meltdown Fishing Tournament

NOTE the dates of upcoming Hooksetter’s Fishing Schools/Clinics. Stay tuned
for details and plan on attending:

- - Fri./Sat., May 14-15, 2010: Spring Walleye School

- - Fri./Sat., Aug. 20-21, 2010: Summer Multi-Species Clinic

- - Fri./Sat., Oct. 15-16, 2010: Fall Musky Clinic

—–
—–
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.

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