Gary Engberg Outdoors

gengberg November 19th, 2008

Gary’s Blog for November 19, 2008This is the time of the year when outdoorsmen and women have so many choices of what to do with their spare time. The hunting and fishing opportunities are limitless and continue through the end of the year. Deer hunting opens this weekend and over 650,000 hunters will be in the woods chasing whitetail deer. There is still pheasant, duck, goose, rabbit, squirrels, and grouse seasons open. Like I said, what do you do?
Tuesday, I happened to go muskie fishing with friend, and guide Wally Banfi (608)-644-9823). We decided to go on the Madison Chain of Lakes. The temperature yesterday morning was 14 degrees here at my Wisconsin River home when I took the dog out at 6:30 AM. Wally and I decided to wait till things warmed up and do a few errands before fishing. I’ve been trying to get some video of muskies before I start editing my TV pilot.
We met my cameraman, Daniel Robinson at 12:30 at the boat landing. There still was thin ice around the lake and a few other boats fishing. Our plan was to drift and fish suckers on Bait Rigs Quick Set rigs. Wally had some nice dark suckers from 12 to 14 inches. We had only been on the lake for 5 minutes before we had our first strike. The muskie didn’t have the sucker and got off after biting the tail and our blade attractor. Wally and I had 3 suckers out with two on Thill floats and one with just a rubber-core sinker. All the suckers were attached with rubber bands through the mouth and in front of the dorsal fin to the quick set rig.
Our efforts were concentrated on fishing just outside the weedline. We found some green cabbage and fished in water 8 to 10 feet deep. After losing another fish, we decided to let the fish have the sucker a little longer before setting the hook hard. I got a nice 40 inch fish on the float-less rod right under the boat. A nice chunky fish was photographed and filmed. It was released and swam away. We also had another 4 fish on that came undone soon after the hook set. Then, Wally got another nice 42 inch fish before we left the lake at 3:30 PM. Two fish over 40 in the boat and 5 others that got away.
It was a great day and the photos will soon be posted on this website! Keep fishing till ice comes. The water temperature on the Madison lakes was 39 degrees. As we were fishing, they pulled the piers. But, that doesn’t stop a muskie-hunter! Dress warm!!

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gengberg November 19th, 2008

As of November 17, 2008:

Fishing, Outdoor, and Event Reports for
Eagle River, Wisconsin,
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area;
Lake of the Woods and Rainy River out of Sportsman’s Lodge (Baudette,
Minnesota).
—–
EDITOR’S NOTE: No reports will be issued on Monday, Nov. 24, 2008. Reports
will resume on their normal schedule, on Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.
—–

THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

– Good action for musky, walleye, northern and crappies in the Eagle River,
Wisconsin area.

– Walleye continue to hit hard and often on the south end of Lake of the
Woods, out of Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette Minnesota.

– Big muskies and northerns hitting hard, with good walleye action, and the
deer rut in full swing, in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.

—–

WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and current calendars:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of November 17, 2008:

(Head): Good action for musky, walleye, northern and crappies in the Eagle
River, Wisconsin area.

With the water temps in the low 40s in the Eagle River area, musky are
starting to bite aggressively and the action is consistently ramping up.
Fish over the dying/”garbage” weeds at the deep edge, OR fish over
hardbottom outside of the weed beds. The musky are slowly migrating to the
steepest edges on the deepest parts of lakes in the Eagle River area. Use
12-14 inch suckers on quick strike rigs, or cast rubber baits such as
Bulldawgs or Suzy Suckers. Deep diving crankbaits such as Depth Raiders and
Ernie’s are also working well.

Walleye action in the Eagle River area is good. Fish 15 to 30 feet of
water, over hardbottom areas. Use a jig and a minnow.

Northern are still hanging in and around the weeds in 15 feet of water or
less in the Eagle River area. Good action using medium suckers or chubs
under a slip bobber, or casting a Husky Jerk or smaller musky bait

Crappies are suspending two to six feet off the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of
water in the Eagle River area. Use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber.
Good action. Some perch are being caught while fishing for walleye in the
Eagle River area. Sizes are a mixed bag.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative
Brilliance interview with licensed guides, Mat Hegy and “Ranger Rick”
Krueger of Guides 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
* Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, 715-477-2248
* George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804.
e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com Continue Reading »

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gengberg November 10th, 2008

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gengberg November 10th, 2008

Dear Subscribers:The November/Holiday Issue of SimplyFishingMagazine.Com
is now published and ready for your enjoyment.
Let us know what you think!
Give us your recommendations.

http://www.simplyfishingmagazine.com/ Check out page 31 for my story on fall fishing at Lake Erie.   Gary

Happy Thanksgiving!
The Staff

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gengberg November 10th, 2008

Fishing and hunting tips and reports from pro anglers and guides Wally Banfi, Tony Puccio, and Gary Engberg. Tune in here, on line, or live Saturdays at 8:00 AM on WTDY 1670 AM.

 Outdoor Horizons Radio 11-10-08: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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gengberg November 10th, 2008

As of November 10, 2008:

Fishing, Outdoor, and Event Reports for Eagle River, Wisconsin,
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area; Lake of the Woods and Rainy River out of
Sportsman’s Lodge (Baudette, Minnesota).

1. THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

– The emerald shiner run on the Rainy River and an aggressive bite on Lake
of the Woods, both providing top-flight walleye action, out of Sportsman’s
Lodge, Baudette, Minnesota.

– Musky picking up, crappies and bluegills hitting well, with walleye and
northern average, in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

– Great walleye, crappie and bluegill action, with a very good musky bite,
and big bucks abound for bow hunters as the rut is in full swing, in the
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.

2. WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and current calendars:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of November 10, 2008:

(Head): Musky picking up, crappies and bluegills hitting well, with walleye
and northern average, in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

With the unusually warm temperatures, the musky bite slowed down markedly,
but cooler weather is starting to bring the musky bite back up in the Eagle
River area. Concentrate on deep weed edges over hardbottom areas. Fish 10
to 15 feet on clearwater lakes, and 6 to 10 feet on darkwater lakes. Run
suckers in the 14 inch range, or cast cramkbaits, Suzy Suckers, Bulldawgs or
glide baits.

Crappies are active in the Eagle River area. Fish either weeds in 15 feet
of water or less, or over deep water cribs or brushpiles in 25 feet of
water, where the crappies will suspend two to four feet off the bottom. Use
a crappie minnow under a slip bobber.

Bluegills are in the weeds in the Eagle River area. Fish 15 feet of water
or less. Use a crappie minnow or a chunk of crawler.

The walleye action in the Eagle River area is average. Fish deep weed edges
in 8 to 20 fee of water, depending on the lake. Use a jig and a minnow.

Northern are hitting in and around the weeds in 15 feet of water or less.
Use a walleye sucker or northern sucker minnow under a slip bobber, or cast
a Husky Jerk in a minnow or perch pattern.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative
Brilliance interview with licensed guide, Mat Hegy of Guides 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
* Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, 715-477-2248
* George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804.
e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com
—– Continue Reading »

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gengberg November 6th, 2008

 Fish Rivers for Fall Walleye and Sauger Action

   Living on the Wisconsin River allows me the luxury of being able to fish for my favorite fish species, the walleye and sauger all year long. That’s the great thing about living where I do since the walleye and sauger seasons never close on most rivers in Wisconsin. Locations and techniques change from season to season, but there is always a tactic that let’s you catch fish. A vast majority of the walleyes and saugers that I catch are released, but I love to eat fish and keeping a few legal fish doesn’t hurt the river’s population.
This time of the year, many anglers have put their boats away till next spring. But, the months of November and even December can provide some great river fishing for both walleyes and saugers and the best thing about fishing this time of the year is that you often have the Wisconsin River and most others to yourself. Many other anglers have switched gears and are now hunting deer, pheasants, ducks, and geese so this is why you’ll find so few anglers on the water. Most of my river fishing is done on the Wisconsin and Mississippi Rivers in Wisconsin and the Missouri River in the Dakotas. But, a vast majority of what I’m going to tell you will apply to rivers throughout the Upper Midwest.
Walleye and sauger fishing can be excellent in the fall and even throughout the winter if you can launch your boat and keep the guides on your rod open. The fish stay active all winter and don’t shut-down like some most other species that rarely feed actively in the cold water months. This also is a great time of the year to catch big trophy fish! Big walleyes and saugers feed actively even in winter.
Some years, I have been able to fish well into December and there also are the sunny days in January and February when you can get out on many rivers in the state. Sometimes, you might need a shovel and some ice melting-salt to clear a boat landing. I always make sure that I have these things with me this time of the year. But, fishing is possible and often very good. The Mississippi and Wisconsin River usually stay open all winter, so the only problem that you’ll find is access to the rivers.
Walleye professional and guide, Tony Puccio, and I have made it our “fall ritual” to fish during the Wisconsin deer gun season which falls on the third week of November. Some years, we may be fishing in cold and snow while other years the weather can be very bearable. The important thing though is that the walleyes and saugers are usually biting and active when you find them. The obvious key is to find the fish! Continue Reading »

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gengberg November 3rd, 2008

As of November 3, 2008:

Fishing, Outdoor, and Event Reports for Eagle River, Wisconsin,
Wausau/Central Wisconsin area; Lake of the Woods and Rainy River out of
Sportsman’s Lodge (Baudette, Minnesota).

1. THIS WEEK’S HEADLINES:

– Walleye bite strong on both the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, with
grouse and duck hunting excellent on the south end of Lake of the Woods, out
of Sportsman’s Lodge, Baudette, Minnesota.

– Excellent northern action, with a good musky, walleye and crappie bite
in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

– Trophy muskies and northerns hitting, with excellent action for smallies,
walleyes, white bass and crappies in the Wausau/Central Wisconsin area.

- - 2. WEEKLY OUTDOOR AND FISHING REPORTS, and current calendars:

***Eagle River, Wis. (VILAS COUNTY) — as of November 3, 2008:

(Head): Excellent northern action, with a good musky, walleye and crappie
bite in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

Northern are hitting often and hard in the Eagle River area. Fish in and
around the weeds in 15 feet of water or less. Use a four to five inch
sucker or chub under a slip bobber. Husky Jerks in minnow patterns are also
producing well.

The musky bite in the Eagle River area is good and continuing to improve.
The musky are primarily locating in 25 feet of water or less over hardbottom
areas adjacent to the outside of the weeds. Suckers on quick-set rigs in the
12 to 15 inch range are working, as well as jerkbaits and crankbaits. The
muskies are going into the upper 40s in size, with some 50 inch plus fish
reported, but not verified.

The walleye action in the Eagle River area is good, but it can be sporadic.
Fish deep water mudflats in 18 to 30 feet of water, using a jig and a
fathead minnow.

Crappie are hitting in deep water over structure. Fish 18 to 30 feet of
water, targeting the crappies two to four feet off the bottom. Use a
crappie minnow under a slip bobber.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative
Brilliance interview with licensed guide, Mat Hegy of Guides 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
* Guide’s Choice Pro Shop, 715-477-2248
* George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guides Association, 715-479-8804.
e-mail: fishing@eaglesportscenter.com Continue Reading »

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gengberg November 1st, 2008

This week Tony Puccio, Wally Banfi, and Gary Engberg have Hall of Fame angler Ron Lindner on the show with part two of his great interview. Plus fishing, hunting, and outdoor reports for Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.

 Outdoor Horizons Radio with Ron Lindner 11-1-08: Download

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gengberg October 31st, 2008

Now, and during the next few weeks lakes in Wisconsin go through a major change that drastically affects most fishing. The change that I’m talking about is one of the least understood concepts in fishing. This fall change is a ritual that happens in both the spring and fall of the year. It is of utmost importance for any angler that wants to have success during the last month of the open water season. Understanding what turnover is and how it alters and changes one’s fishing plans is the key to catching many of the biggest fish of any species before the onset of the “hard water” of winter.

The first thing that one needs to understand is that water temperature has a lot to do with turnover and as I write many lakes in northern and central Wisconsin have turned over or are in the process of turning. Water is most dense and heaviest at 39 degrees F., and as the temperature increases or decreases from 39 degrees, it becomes less dense and lighter. In both the summer and winter, most lakes are maintained by climate in what we call a stratified condition. The less dense water is at the surface of lakes and the more dense water is at or near the bottom. Turnover usually begins when water temperature is in the mid to low 50’s F.

Rory Tuff of Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. with a 45 inch muskie caught last Saturday before turnover. The water was 56 degrees.

During the fall, air temperatures cool the surface water causing its density to increase. The heavier and denser water sinks, allowing and forcing the lighter and less dense water to the lakes surface. This process continues until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39 degrees F. Now, there is very little if any difference in density at this stage, allowing the waters to be easily mixed by the wind. This sinking action and mixing of the water by the wind results in the exchange of surface and bottom waters resulting in what is called “turnover.”

Signs that a lake is experiencing turnover are; clear water lakes becoming “muddy” or cloudy and there often is an odor from the water which comes from the decaying vegetation from the lake’s bottom that is now coming to the top of the water column.

During the spring, this process reverses itself. This time, the ice melts and the surface waters warm and sink until the water temperature at all depths reaches approximately 39 degrees F. The sinking combined with the wind mixing causes spring “turnover.” This is a general definition of turnover, but there are other factors that affect this action including lake depth and climate. Some lakes don’t experience turnover because they are shallow like Lake Winnebago or they have moving water that doesn’t stratify like a river or flowage (Lake Wisconsin).

The effect that this has on fishing is very noticeable. A lake in the process of turning has a consistent oxygen level throughout the lake and that allows the fish to scatter throughout the lake because it’s comfortable at all depths. This makes fishing difficult because it’s harder to find fish, no matter what species you’re chasing. But, the fishes feeding pattern remains the same, so, find the right structure or forage fish, and you’ll find the fish that you’re looking for.

Another and final thing to remember and take into account is that all lakes do not turnover at the same time. Try to find lakes that have experienced turnover a week or two earlier or have yet to turn for the best angling. Post-turnover is a great time for using larger baits and suckers if muskie fishing, since big fish will go on a feeding frenzy before winter’s freeze-up.

If you’re fishing for muskies always have a lively sucker near the boat for follow-ups and be sure to use a quick-set rig (Bait Rigs) so that the fish can be safely released to be caught again.

–Gary Engberg          Naomi Shapiro and the Northwoods Report have contibuted and helped in writing this “turnover” piece and are thanked.

Click here to read the Fishing Wire for Oct  31, 2008

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