Northwoods Wisconsin Fishing/Outdoor Report 3-11-2010

As of March 11, 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:

- - Good ice fishing action for crappies, bluegills and perch in the Eagle
River, Wisconsin area.

- -Ice and open water anglers both, are having success with walleyes,
northerns, and panfish - - all going on in and amidst the lakes and the
Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee
and Wausau). Remember: The walleye and northern seasons REMAIN OPEN on
many of the waters in Central Wisconsin.

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and calendar highlights:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of March 11, 2010:
Good ice fishing action for crappies, bluegills and perch in the
Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

 Ice is generally OK in the Eagle River area, but with warmer temps
and rain there will be some slush forming, which means difficulty in getting
around. It is still recommended that no trucks or cars be used when getting
out on the ice. It’s just too “iffy.” Ice has already started sharding,
thinning, cracking, and eroding. This surge will increase as spring nears.
We urge all to be extremely cautious. Best suggestion: Hire one of Eagle
River’s excellent and experienced guides.

Good all around action for panfish in the Eagle River area. Be prepared to
move around as the fish are mobile, and use a flasher if possible.

Crappies in the Eagle River area are locating in 15 to 30 feet of water over
mudflats. The crappies are suspending at all depths, so work your way up or
down on the water column.Use a crappie minnow or a waxie. All day bite,
with best action around sunset and just after.

Bluegills are in two places in the Eagle River area. You’ll find them right
with the crappies, suspending up and down the water column in deeper water,
over mud flats. The gills can also be found in shallow basin lakes, where
they’re locating in weeds in 15 feet of water or less. Use a waxie on a
real small jig.

Perch in the Eagle River area are on mudflats, in 20 to 30 feet of water.
The perch are tight to the bottom. Use a crappie minnow, waxie or wiggler.

(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, and Mat Hegy).
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:

- - Fri.-Sun., March 12-14, 2010: Great Northern Sno-X Series Round 7 & 8
Races at the Eagle River Derby Track. Conclude the snowmobile season with
these great races in Eagle River, 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.

- -Sun., March 21, Sun. April 11, 2010: American Legion Riders Association
of Wisconsin, District 11 Meat Raffle Fund Raisers. Support local veterans
who have honored our country with their service. Fresh meat is from Prime
Choice Meat Market in Eagle River. Raffle packages include beef, pork,
bacon, chicken, turkey, sausage and other assorted meats. Worthy cause and
lots of fun! Information: Doug Breit 715-477-2163; Bob Sabatke,
715-499-6154, and: Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

- - Eagle River area snowmobile trails have been officially closed for the
season. 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 March 11,
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”).

SPECIAL EDITOR’S NOTE: Don’t forget that unlike most all other areas of
Wisconsin, the walleye and northern season on many of the waters in the
Central Wisconsin area DO NOT CLOSE. You don’t have to just settle for
panfish! Check ahead to make sure the water you want to fish is indeed one
of those that remain “open.”

Ice and open water anglers both, are having success with walleyes,
northerns, and panfish - - all going on in and amidst the lakes and the
Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee
and Wausau).

Open water fishing has started in Central Wisconsin, while ice
anglers are still enjoying late season success, as well. If you go out on
the ice, please use a local guide. Warmer temps and rain are eroding the
ice. Things are opening up - - and while there may still be SOME at least
marginally safe areas on which to ice fish, it’s essential that only those
who know the area intimately head out. That means using an area guide. Be
safe - -not sorry!

Open water anglers are getting out below the many dams in the Central
Wisconsin area, and some downriver areas have opened up enough to allow
accessibility for fishing.

Walleyes are the main target for open water anglers in the Central Wisconsin
area. The walleyes are holding in the deeper pools in 12 to 16 feet of
water - -up to 24 feet deep in some areas. Some anglers are also picking up
some nice northerns, and a few sturgeon are hitting, and if caught
IMMEDIATELY released. Jigs tipped with minnows are the best way to target
these fish right now.

Ice fishing in the Central Wisconsin area still has maybe a little time left
(remember the admonition about caution and using a local guide!), and ice
anglers can cash in on some opportunities for the last of the season
crappies, bluegills and perch. Look for these panfish to be holding in
shallow water, associated with weeds. Try 3 to 5 feet of water, and keep
your presentation right at, or above the weed line. Tip downs with small
minnows or teardrop jigs tipped with waxies will catch fish all day.

Ice anglers in the Central Wisconsin area are also getting walleye and
northern action by working back water areas of the Wisconsin River. Try
running tip ups in 2 to 5 feet of water, baited with shiner minnows or small
sucker minnows, set about a foot off the bottom.

Turkey season is right around the corner in the Central Wisconsin area, and
this is a good time to start looking for flocks of turkey in the fields.
Find them now so when the season arrives the looking part is done, and then
all you have to do is the hunting part!

(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 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. Enjoy yourself and help the Kippenberg Creek Kids!

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

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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.