Northwoods Fishing/Outdoor Report 11-22-2010

As of November 22, 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 musky, walleye, northern and perch bite in the Eagle River,
Wisconsin area.- - While the Wisconsin gun deer season is on, there are still plenty of
anglers getting great musky, walleye and crappie action - -indeed many deer
hunters are also taking advantage of the opportunity to get some top flight
fishing in - -all 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 November 22, 2010:Good musky, walleye, northern and perch bite in the Eagle River
,Wisconsin area. Water temps in lower to mid 30s in the Eagle River area, as skim
ice starts to form on the river portion of the Eagle River Chain of 28 lakes
(largest freshwater chain of lakes in the world).

Musky are hitting well during feeding windows in the Eagle River area.
Patience is the key. Wait it out, and keep casting. When the feeding window
opens, the musky will hit very aggressively. Fish 8-15 feet off weed edges
to the first break edge. The musky are being surprisingly attracted to
smaller baits. Minnow baits or crank baits in the 4 to 6 inch range are the
ticket to success. Musky from sub-legal to the lower 40 inch range have
been the norm. Colors like firetiger, black/orange, white and ³sunset²
patterns have been producing best. Live suckers hanging over the side of
the boat have also been working very well, and availability is no longer an
issue. Hang live bait anywhere from 3 ft to 8 ft on the Eagle River Chain
of Lakes, to 20-30 feet on other Eagle River area deeper lakes like North
Twin.

Walleye are providing some good action in the Eagle River area. Fish break
edges in 15-35 feet of water over hardbottom. Use a jig on an XL fathead.
The walleye will be tight to the bottom. Northern in the Eagle River area are in and around weeds in 15 feet of water
or less. Use a northern sucker under a slip bobber or a Husky Jerk in a
minnow or walleye pattern. Good action.Perch are biting in the Eagle River area. The perch are hanging with the
walleye. Fish 15-35 feet of water at break edges over hardbottom. The
perch, like the walleye will be pretty tight to the bottom. Use a crappie
minnow on a jig.One of our contributors, Eagle River guide ³Muskie Matt² says: ³Time to dust
off your ice fishing gear, and remember that first ice in the Eagle River
area is usually a bonanza for ice anglers.² We will keep you closely posted
on ice conditions in the Eagle River area.

The gun deer season will be on when you read this report. You can have a
perfect ³two-fer,² by getting a big buck, and then some great fishing,
to-boot. Eagle River has it all - -in super abundance. Don¹t miss this once
a year opportunity.(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”, 715-891-5980; e-mail: rfrgoutdoors@gmail.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:—Sat. Nov. 27, 2010: Eagle River¹s 2nd Annual Ice Shanty Parade. Join us
in parading with Santa and his reindeer. Show off your ³home away from
home² for a chance to win great prizes. The competition will be fierce and
will be held at the beginning of the parade route. Eagle River Chamber of
Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail: info@eagleriver.org; web:
www.eagleriver.org

- - Make your plans now to come to Eagle River for deer hunting
opportunities. Eagle River has it all ­ great hunting, and all services,
right at your fingertips. There are accommodations for every taste and
need, great entertainment, food and beverages, lots of activities and
community events to help make your hunting trip memorable. Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail:
info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

- - Not too early to make your reservations for some of the greatest
snowmobiling anywhere. Eagle River is known as the Snowmobile Capital of the
World® — and with very good reason! 500 miles of perfectly groomed trails
with the glories of nature and beauty at every turn. The trails are already
being cleared and prepared- - and depending on the weather and snow cover,
could open as early as December 9, 2010. Come and enjoy. Eagle River
Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail:
info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.org

ANNUAL ICE CASTLE IN EAGLE RIVER, WISCONSIN.
DATE: Erected EVERY YEAR between Christmas and New Year’s (weather
permitting).
Eagle River’s annual ice castle construction has been a community tradition
for nearly eighty years! Over 3,000 ten-inch ice blocks are cut from a
local lake using antique ice equipment, trucked to town, and placed and
sculpted into a breathtaking new design every year! Located on a 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

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SNOWMOBILE DERBY IN EAGLE RIVER, WIS.
Fri.-Sun., Jan. 7-16, 2011.
The greatest, world-class snowmobile racing and event celebration attracts
mega-thousands each year to Eagle River, many from outside the US. Held at
the Eagle River Snowmobile Derby Track, this ten-day event is not to be
missed. Another reason why Eagle River is “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

- -Fri.-Sun., Jan. 21‹23, 2011: Wild Eagle Lodge Ice Fishing School.
Learn how to catch fish through the ice, with hands on seminars, fishing,
and equipment. Hosted by Eagle River Guide ³Muskie Matt.² Perfect
opportunity for fun, and fishing. 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 November
22, 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”.

While the Wisconsin gun deer season is on, there are still plenty of
anglers getting great musky, walleye and crappie action - -indeed many deer
hunters are also taking advantage of the opportunity to get some top flight
fishing in - -all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River of
Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau). Water temps hovering in the mid to upper 30s in the central
Wisconsin area.With the nine day gun deer season under many outdoorsmen and women have
turned their focus from fishing to hunting. This deer season in central
Wisconsin looks like it¹s going to be a real winner. With cooler
temperatures in the forecast, and the possibility of snow along with a lot
of big buck sightings, everyone is looking forward to a great gun hunt. Be
safe- - wear your blaze orange, always make sure of your target, and what is
beyond it.There are still anglers getting out on the waters in central Wisconsin and
doing very well- - indeed, many deer hunters are making arrangements to get
in some fishing, along with their hunting, and those who do are going to
have a doubly good time!

Musky in the central Wisconsin area are biting hard as the season draws
down. Suckers are the main bait. Look for active fish to be holding over
the deepest water available, and run your sucker rigs from 6 feet down all
the way right to the bottom. The muskies are somewhat lethargic right now do
to the falling water temps, so you have to place the bait right in front of
them to elicit a strike. But just because they¹re docile before the strike,
don¹t let that fool you; because they strike, all you-know-what will break
loose.

Walleyes in the central Wisconsin area are still hitting well, with jigs and
minnows your best bait. Look for walleyes to be holding in 12 to 16 feet of
water right now, tight to the bottom. Orange and chartreuse colored jigs
have been the best producers.

Crappies are still being caught over deep water in the central Wisconsin
area. The crappies are suspending over the deep water, staging in their
pre-winter haunts. Savvy anglers have been very successful using spider
rigging with small jigs tipped with minnows or plastics set at different
depths, which take advantage of these aggressive slabs.

Be safe and good luck both hunting and fishing in the central Wisconsin
area.

—–
—–
(This report based on interview with licensed guide and trapper Phil
Schweik and guide Glenn Moberg, both 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
—–
—–
Reports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. ©2010.
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance 608-827-6483;
e-mail: cre8vnaomi@gmail.com; cre8vRay@charter.net.