Northwoods Wisconsin Fishing/Outdoor Report 1-9-2012

gengberg January 9th, 2012

As of January 9, 2012.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:

- - Very good to excellent northern action, with a good walleye bite, and
panfish hitting well in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.Northern Pike logan Ruther- - Steady panfish bite, northerns hitting, and a good night bite for
walleyes; 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 January 9, 2012:Eagle River, Wisconsin: Snowmobile Capital of the World®, Hockey Capital of
Wisconsin, World’s Largest Chain of 28 Lakes (Eagle River Chain O’Lakes
named one of the “7 Natural Wonders of Wisconsin” by Travel
Wisconsin.com/Wisconsin Department of Tourism). “The Best Up-North Town -
-Eagle River, Wisconsin” , as voted on by readers of Wisconsin Trails
Magazine. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce: 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400;
e-mail:  info@eagleriver.org; web: www.eagleriver.orgWalleye 7 Boedorn
 
Very good to excellent northern action, with a good walleye bite,
and panfish hitting well in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

Ice conditions are generally good in the Eagle River area, with ice depth
ranging from about 8 to 10 inches. ATV’s and snowmobiling are being used
consistently, with foot travel a bit difficult because of some snow cover.
There are a few motor vehicles here-and-there, but the guides we’ve spoken
to are still not advising using them. Remember - -caution is always “job
one.” Heed the advice of our excellent Eagle River guides.

Northern action in the Eagle River area ranges from very good to excellent.
Fish 10 feet of water or less on the outside of weed edges. Use a medium
shiner or sucker minnow under a tip-up. All day bite.
Walleye are providing good to very good off-and-on action in the Eagle River
area. The bite is day dependent. The walleyes are biting, but it’s
up-and-down ­ somewhat sporadic. So patience is a must. Fish at sunset for
the best action. Fish 10-12 feet of water on the outside of weed edges. Use
a tip-up with a medium shiner, or a jigging spoon tipped with a fathead.
The walleyes are locating a foot off the bottom.

Panfish (crappies, bluegills and perch) are locating in two places in theBluegills Ice
Eagle River area. Fish in the weeds in 10 feet of water or less, or over
mudflats in 15-25 feet of water. The perch will be tight to bottom, with
the crappies and bluegills suspending up-and-down the water column, which
will be day dependent. Sometimes the fish are suspending a foot off the
bottom and sometimes half way up ­ and pretty much anywhere in between. So
fish all depths starting near the bottom and work your way up, remembering
that crappies always bite “up,” never “down.” Use a crappie minnow or a
waxie under a small jig. All day bite, with good action.

(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
***Calendar highlights for Eagle River, Wisconsin:

*** ANNUAL ICE CASTLE IN EAGLE RIVER, WISCONSIN.Ice Castle 2
DATE: 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 by volunteers led by the area Fire
Department. Located on a major snowmobile trail through Eagle River,
everyone stops to have their picture taken in front of the Ice Castle! Lit
at night, too! Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400;e-mail:  fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
***** Fri.-Sun., Jan. 13-22, 2012: World Championship Snowmobile Derby Week
at the Derby Track. Vintage competition, world championships, exhibits.
Don’t miss this world-class event, attended by mega-thousands and recognized
around the globe. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail:   fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
– Fri.-Sun., Jan. 27-29, 2012: 26th Anniversary Annual Women on Snow
Celebration. Opportunity for women of all ages and riding abilities to
snowmobile Northern Wisconsin’s beautiful trails. Hosting lodge: Eagle River
Inn and Resort in Eagle River. Limited to first 120 women. Registrants are
accepted on first-received, first-accepted basis. Meals, lodging, and gas
are included in the registration fee cost of $250 for the weekend; oil and
refreshments are on your own. Eagle River Chamber of Commerce; 800-359-6315;
715-479-6400; e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
***** Fri.-Sun., Feb. 10-12, 2012: USA Adult Pond Hockey National
Championships. 4 on 4 Pond Hockey Championships held on Dollar Lake at the
Chanticleer Inn in Eagle River, Wisconsin. Dozens and dozens of rinks are
set up on the ice of Dollar Lake. 284 teams; competitors from around the
world. The premier winter ice hockey event anywhere. Eagle River Chamber of
Commerce; 800-359-6315; 715-479-6400; e-mail:  fishing@eaglesportscenter.com

***(Report on Central Wisconsin Lakes AND the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin’s
Marathon and Lincoln Counties near Mosinee and Wausau), — as of January 9,
2012.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”.  Steady panfish bite, northerns hitting, and a good night bite for
walleyes; all in and amidst the lakes and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s
Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near Mosinee and Wausau).As we move into the new year the panfish bite continues to remain very good
in the central Wisconsin area. Shallow weeds in 3 to 6 feet of water are
holding a good majority of the gills but some larger fish are holding
deeper. Small ice jigs in purple and green have been the best producer this
past week when tipped with either waxies or spikes.We have been catching quite a few nice crappies this past week in the
central Wisconsin area, holding in about 12 to 16 feet of water . The
crappies are suspended about 4 feet off the bottom and by using your flasher
unit finding them and the depths that they are holding at isn’t very hard.
Tip downs set at appropriate depths and baited with small minnows has been
working very well but jigging with small teardrop jigs tipped with plastics
or live bait has been the most productive way to catch them.Northern activity in the central Wisconsin area has been a pleasant
surprise this winter season as we have encountered quite a few nice fish
over the past couple of weeks. For anyone looking at catching a few try
running tip ups baited with large golden shiners in 4 to 8 feet of water.
Set your tip ups so your bait is anywhere from 1 to 2 feet off the bottom in
the deeper water and right under the ice in the shallower holes (less than 5
feet). Add attractants such as colored beads and blades on the line above
the bait to bring more attention to your offering and increase your catch.The walleye bite in the central Wisconsin area has been very good especially
during low light conditions and after dark. Tip ups baited with small
suckers and golden shiners have been our go to set up. We are running the
tip ups in 3 to 8 feet of water along weed edges and shallow gravel bars. (This report based on interview with licensed guide and trapper Phil
Schweik and licensed guide Glenn Moberg, 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:  pschweik@dwave.net; web: www.hooksetters.bizReports compiled, written & distributed by Creative Brilliance. ©2012.
Naomi K. Shapiro or Ray Smith, Creative Brilliance.
e-mail: cre8vnaomi@gmail.com; cre8vRay@charter.net

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