Northwoods Wisconsin/Fishing Report by Naomi Shapiro 1-28-2010

As of January 28, 2010:

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).

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

- - Walleye and northern action decent, with bluegills and perch biting well
in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

- - Good action for walleye and northern, with crappies hitting strong, and
beaver trapping excellent, in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River
of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and calendar highlights:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of January 21, 2010:

Walleye and northern action decent, with bluegills and perch biting
well in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

 Ice in the Eagle River area generally running 8 to 10 inches.
Caution always advised.

Walleye are hitting best between 3pm-7pm in the Eagle River area. Fish the
weed edges in 12-15 feet on clear lakes, and 8-15 feet on darker lakes. Use
a tip up with a medium shiner or sucker minnow.

Northern are biting well during mid day hours in the Eagle River area, with
brighter, sunny days best. Fish 8-15 feet of water in and around weeds,
using a tip up with a large shiner.

Good numbers of bluegills and perch are biting off of weeds edges in the
Eagle River area. Fish 8-12 feet on darker lakes, and 8-15 feet on clear
lakes. Use a small jig tipped with a spike, waxie or crappie minnow. The
gills and perch are running on the small side, but providing lots of action
and fun.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance
interviews with Eagle River guides “Muskie Matt” of Wild Eagle Lodge, and
“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
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***Some special calendar highlights for Eagle River, Wisconsin:

****** Eagle River’s Annual Ice Castle erected every year between Christmas
and New Year’s has been a community tradition for nearly eighty years. The
2010 Ice Castle is “up and running” and Eagle River welcomes all to visit
and experience this unique, exquisite ice sculpture. 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 Castle! Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400;e-mail: info@eagleriver.org;
web: www.eagleriver.org

–Fri.-Sun., Feb. 26-28, 2010: Wild Eagle Lodge Ice Fishing School.
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.-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 for 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 January 28,
2010 (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”).
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  Good action for walleye and northern, with crappies hitting strong,
and beaver trapping excellent, in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin
River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and
Wausau).

No mid-winter fishing slump in Central Wisconsin!

Walleye anglers in the Central Wisconsin area are taking advantage of an
abundant crop of 15 to 18 inch fish in local waters. Jigging spoons like
the Buckshot Rattle Spoon and the Forage Minnow, along with darter style
baits like the Puppet Minnow and Jigging Rapala tipped with minnow heads are
catching the majority of the fish. Look for walleyes to be hanging out in 16
to 20 feet of water and at times as deep as 25 feet. The walleyes will hold
tight to structure such as downed trees, stumps and boulders. Work your
baits in and around the structure to find active fish. The best times for
these deep water walleyes have been from 2 pm to around 4 pm. After that
the walleyes will move up onto shallower shelves and feed in 2 to 4 feet of
water. Target these walleye with traditional tip downs baited with small
shiners or sucker minnows.

The northerns in the Central Wisconsin area are being caught in both deep
water, and shallow backwater areas. The one thing in common is the strategy
in targeting them. It’s relatively simple. For the shallow water fish, look
for 2 to 4 feet of water with wood or weeds, and set up a tip up baited with
a golden shiner or sucker minnow, right under the ice. For the deep water
northerns, run the same setup but vary the depths that you run your baits.
If you are in 10 feet of water, run your bait 5 feet down. If you are in 20
feet of water, run your bait 9 to 10 feet down; and if you’re in 30 feet of
water, run your bait down 15 to 17 feet. Northerns are nomadic cruisers and
will hang out at different levels up and down the water column, but our
experience shows us that the majority of the active feeders and much larger
fish will hold higher in the water column.

The crappie bite in the Central Wisconsin area has been fantastic. Crappie
anglers are taking advantage of a very abundant population of slab sized
fish. Look for the crappies to be hanging out in 12 to 14 feet of water,
early in the day, and then sliding off to and suspending in 20 plus feet
during the midday hours. Flasher units will tell you what depth the fish
are at. Crappie minnows on tip downs set at various levels, and/or small
jigging spoons baited with waxies or spikes, worked at the appropriate depth
will pick up fish after fish. If you keep your bait down at the bottom, or
in close proximity to the bottom, you may even pick up a straggler perch or
nice bluegill, as they are also hanging out in the deeper water, but will
stay closer to the bottom, unlike the crappies, that will be suspended.

Fur trappers are having an excellent year targeting beaver in the Central
Wisconsin area. Access has been very good in local backwater areas, and ice
thickness has not been an issue as it has in past years. Trappers targeting
beaver should be concentrating on underwater sets such as the neck down
areas in their natural runs; and bait style sets, along deep water
shorelines in rivers and streams where the beaver is forced to travel the
deeper side of the stream. The use of a conibear style trap is the best way
to go, but some die hard trappers still prefer to run leg hold traps, set
right on the bottom in bait style sets.

(This report based on interview with licensed guide and trapper 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 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:

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

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Reports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. ©2010.
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance
608-827-6483; 800-975-5474 (media). e-mail: cre8vads@cheqnet.net;
cre8vRay@charter.net.