Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg January 15th, 2012

As of January 16, 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:- -Walleye, northerns and panfish all putting on a good bite in the Eagle
River, Wisconsin area.- -Walleye, northern and panfish all hitting; all in and amidst the lakes
and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties (near
Mosinee and Wausau). EDITOR’S NOTE: At the end of this report, see the
information about a great ice fishing tournament being held on Lake WausauWEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and calendar highlights:***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of January 16, 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.org
Walleye, northerns and panfish all putting on a good bite in the
Eagle River, Wisconsin area.Ice thickness on the lakes in the Eagle River area ranges from about 10-12
inches, give or take. ATV’s and snowmobiles are getting out. Motor
vehicles are not recommended. Watch out for slush forming from the recent
snow. Travel on the ice is generally OK. Safety is always “job one,” so be
cautious.Walleye in the Eagle River area are locating outside the weeds in 10-12 feet
of water. Use a small shiner under a tip-up, set about 10-12 inches off the
bottom. Sunset provides the best bite. Good action.

Panfish (crappies, bluegills and perch) are still locating in two general
areas in the Eagle River area. Fish shallow weeds - -10 feet of water or
less, or over deeper mudflats in 15-25 feet of water. Waxies under a small
jig are working best, but small crappies minnows are also taking fish.
Perch will be tight to bottom, with crappies and bluegills suspending up and
down the water column. Good all day bite.

(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:***** 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 16,
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”.Walleye, northern and panfish are hitting; all in and amidst the
lakes and the Wisconsin River of Wisconsin’s Marathon and Lincoln Counties
(near Mosinee and Wausau). EDITOR’S NOTE: At the end of this report, see the
information about a great ice fishing tournament being held on Lake Wausau Safety first when heading out onto the ice!!!With the recent warm spell ice conditions are not what they usually are at
this time of the year here in the central Wisconsin area. Even with that
said you should always be aware of the safety hazards that come into play
when traveling out onto the ice. When heading out onto the ice you should take into consideration the
following:Shoreline areas. Ice conditions deteriorate quickly around shoreline areas
especially later in the year as the sun warms the surrounding area. Avoid
areas that are broken up and have open water around themNeck down areas like bridges and channels between lakes: These areas are
high current areas and ice can be very unstable throughout the entire season
even in the coldest weather. We wouldn’t advise traveling these areas at
any time during the winter months.Weed beds and wood. Emergent and submerged weeds along with timber create
another ice hazard as these areas absorb sunlight throughout the year and
ice around these areas is always unstable and can vary within a few inches.
Use caution when fishing these areas as they can be very good for fishing
but dangerous as the sunlight heats up the ice near the weeds and wood.Rivers and streams: One should be extremely cautious when fishing any type
of current area as ice conditions are constantly changing sand a person
could have safe ice in one area and within a foot be on less than 2 inches
of ice. In most instance you are better off not even traveling out onto the
river system.

Large open areas: What we mean here is big bodies of water that have vast
open flats . These large areas (especially in the middle) are often the last
to freeze over in the winter and just because you have safe ice on 90% of
the lake doesn’t mean that the entire lake is safe to travel out onto. If
you are planning on heading out onto a large open body of water we would
suggest that you travel lightly and go ahead with an auger on foot to check
the thickness of the ice as you move forward.

Following these simple examples will make your ice fishing season a safe and
enjoyable one.With that said, ice fishing this past week in the central Wisconsin area has
been very good with outstanding catches of panfish, walleyes and northerns.
The panfish bite has been in shallow water mainly 3 to 5 feet associated
with weeds. Tear drop jigs in yellow and white tipped with waxies or spikes
have been the best producer. But we have found that when the bite gets tough
adding plastics can tempt some of the finicky lookers into bitersThe walleye bite has been a low light and night bite with some nice fish
being caught. Again shallow water from 3 to 5 feet deep has been our best
bet. Run tip ups baited with golden shiners about one foot off the bottom
along shallow break lines where the depth transitions..The northern pike have been very active and areas off the main river channel
have been producing some very large pike for us. Last week we saw several
fish in the upper 30’s to low 40’s. Large golden shiners on tip-ups
suspended right below the ice in 2 to 5 feet of water is the best way to
tempt these fresh water alligators.Trails End and Hooksetters Guide Service1st annual ice fishing tournament.Fish anywhere on Lake Wausau!Headquarters:
Trails End Bar & Grill Located at: 3901 Sherman Rd. Wausau, WI 54401
Date: February 11thth
Time: 7:00am until 5:00pm
Entry: $10.00 per person ­ Purchase between now and the day of the
tournament at Trails End. Bar will open at 6:00 am on the day of the
tournament for registration.
To register fish: Bring them to Trails End Headquarters. Come by road or
waterŠ. Fish must be at the Headquarters no later than 5:00 PMThere will be prizes awarded in the following categories:
Northern-Walleye-Crappie-Bluegill-Perch
There will be cash prizes for 1st through 3rd place. Prize amounts will be
determined by the amount of participants.
1st through 3rd place will be determined by the three largest fish brought
in by length in each division. In case of a tie the tie breaker will be
determined by weight. If there is still a tie the winner will be determined
by the first fish registered.

Mark your calendar for February 11th.
We will see you there…..
Any questions please call John: 715-370-3018
—–
—–
(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.biz
—–Reports 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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