Fishing Report

Here is the latest fishing report...

Bass, walleye, northern, and panfish all out in force, with musky hitting but finicky, in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

The fish are active and hungry as warmer weather takes over, and with anglers putting in a little work, and adopting to different tactics, they are not disappointed in the bite in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.

Bass are all over the place in the Eagle River area, with average sizes for both large and smallmouth over 18 inches. For the largemouth work the lily pads with a Mepps Timberdoodle and hold on. Surface frogs or creatures are nailing big buckets, as are little, noisy topwaters. Small spinnerbaits bounced in and around shallower structure are also finding fish. The smallies have moved to deeper haunts with sand or rock bottoms. Well established underwater points are holding fish, with beavertails, crawlers or big leeches being the preferred baits.

Walleye are still in and around the deeper weeds all over the Eagle River area. Leeches and crawlers are outperforming minnows. Work deep areas with hard bottoms with slip bobbers as the day progresses. Good action, albeit, there are numbers of smaller fish being caught (and released). Anglers are still getting some nice eaters, with a lunker brought in here-and-there.
Northern are doing what they do best in the Eagle River area - - eating everything. Try a Booyah Boogie bait. This chatter-style spinner will prompt immediate and forceful strikes. Golden shiners, chubs, smaller bucktails and lipless crankbaits have been very productive in weedy areas from 6 to 10 feet.

Musky hunters in the Eagle River area are getting some nice fish, but the musky are finicky right now. Anglers may spot several in one area, but then only contact one that's active. Every musky caught (and released!) means a lot of work was put in to get it. Anglers who don't practice a figure eight at boatside will probably miss the bite. Musky are following up to the boat. This is especially true during the day when the open water bite is slow. With the high skies, work deeper lakes with well established weeds, usually in water 4 to 8 feet deep. Bucktails are still taking fish in these areas. Move up into the 700 series Buchers, and number 1 and 2 Ghost Tails or Cowgirls. Marabous are having success with Mepps and Supergirls working, too. The secret to working any/all of these lures is in the "pause." As an angler brings lure in, pause for a second and the Marabou feathers literally "puff," then continue the retrieve. That moment of delay triggers the majority of strikes. It's also a good time to dust off the Suicks, and star throwing them.

Depending on the type of weeds, panfish are out in force. The broadleaf weeds will hold more crappie. Work small jigs tipped with plastics, Cubbies or tube jigs. The fish are very mobile and if a school is located, follow it, even though it may contain only a few fish. As a school moves to deeper water, the bigger fish will start to hit, as that is where they are locating. Bluegills and perch are on deeper weed edges, with small minnows, medium leeches or leafe worms doing the trick. Slip bobbers are effective.

(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).