With the onset of stable weather, fish are transitioning into their fall patterns, resulting in a good and improving bite from musky, walleye, bass, northern and panfish, in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
An even weather pattern means steadily improving fishing action in the Eagle River area. Water temperatures are reaching a transition point and fall fishing patterns are emerging.
Musky are quite active in the Eagle River area. With water temps approaching less than 60-degrees it is definitely time to "soak a sucker." Use an 11 to 13 inch sucker, because the bigger bait doesn't necessarily mean bigger fish. Bigger suckers put more space between the trebles on your quickstrike rigs and that can easily spell: "M-I-S-S." Work areas 8 to 15 feet deep, using a dipsy sinker to keep the bait down. Run the suckers about a foot off the bottom. Then cast twitch or crank-baits, mid-sized plastics (Storm, Suzy's, Bull Dawgs, Live Action, Swim'n Joes, etc.) and vary the retrieve. Oddly enough, work the cloudy days with topwaters and jerk baits. A lot of musky are still hitting at boatside, so keep the figure eights going. For a change up during bright days work (jig) the bigger plastics and Fuzzy Duzzits in and around the deep holes.
Walleye are deep over sand flats, near transition areas of sand to rock or gravel in the Eagle River area. The walleye are hitting crawlers, larger minnows or small suckers, and are also falling prey to jigging spoons like a Sonar, Clear or Swedish Pimple. A lot of nice fish are being taken. Low light periods still find the walleye around the greenest cabbage and coontail, where a jig and a minnow is the preferred bait.
The northern pike in the Eagle River area are hitting suckers or chubs. A swimming jig head or tube jig rigged with these and pulled around the weeds are producing hits. Weedless Daredevles tipped with a plastic trailer are also proving attractive.
Bass in the Eagle River area are now deeper, especially the largemouth. The shallow structure largemouth bite is about over with the fish moving to greener, denser weeds in deeper water. That depth is relative to the lake, but averages 8 to 12 feet. Weedless worms and spoons are finding these fish just outside the edges. Smallies are still quite deep and if you locate even a subtle hump or rock pil on the bottom, fish it. A whole crawler is still the best bet, but Gulp!, PowerBait and Bucher Finesse worms are working, too.
Panfish are still hiding in the weeds in the Eagle River area. Small plastics on a jig or a mid-sized minnow are pulling bluegill and perch in waters to 10 feet. Crappie are scattered, and suspended, with small fatheads, tubes or Powerbait grubs being productive.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Welcome October!
The temperatures are cool and cloudy on this last September weekend. However, it is not putting a damper on our spirits! We are looking forward to bringing in the October festivities with Cranberry Fest in Eagle River next weekend. Stop by the Vilas County Fair Grounds for a ton of cranberry fun! Also with cooler weather in the air, stop by our Bear Necessities Gift Shop, or the office, where you can choose from our selection of comfortable sweatshirts.
Lindsay
Lindsay
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Fall Is Here!
Fall is here and the colors of the leaves are picture perfect. Peak colors are very near. We have been getting off and on rain showers all day today which is much needed. Yesterday temps were in the 80's which was great for those doing some biking and fishing. I heard from some guests that stayed this past weekend that the bicycle & hiking trails in the area are absolutely beautiful - their favorite time of year to enjoy the Northwoods!
Temperatures are due to cool down a bit for the rest of this week staying in the mid to high 60's which is typical fall weather here.
We have been preparing for our 8th Annual Oktobearfest held at Black Bear Lodge which is one of our favorite events of the year. We host crafters in our cottages and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the polka band, German beer, pumpkin painting and more! This event will be held at our resort on Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 10am - 4pm! Come and join us!!!
~Nikki
Temperatures are due to cool down a bit for the rest of this week staying in the mid to high 60's which is typical fall weather here.
We have been preparing for our 8th Annual Oktobearfest held at Black Bear Lodge which is one of our favorite events of the year. We host crafters in our cottages and everyone is welcome to come and enjoy the polka band, German beer, pumpkin painting and more! This event will be held at our resort on Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 10am - 4pm! Come and join us!!!
~Nikki
Monday, September 24, 2007
Weekly Fishing Report
Northern hitting everything, bass biting, and up-again-down-again water temps slowdown musky, wall-eye and panfish a bit in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
The up and down water temperatures are putting the fish in their seasonal funk in the Eagle River area. Water temps that had been in the upper 50s are now back to the mid-60s.
The northern keep hitting everything in the Eagle River area. Sizes have fallen off, but the numbers keep climbing. Spinners, small surface lures and chubs are all effective in the broadleaf weeds. Bigger fish seem to park in the deeper vegetation, so check those clear lakes first.
In the Eagle River area, smallies will frequent the same deep areas as the walleye and presentations can be the same, as well. Mid-sized crankbaits zipped along rock piles or rip-rap are triggering strikes. Largemouth remain much shallower, near weeds, reeds and structure, and torpedoes, spinnerbaits, Timberdoodles, or plastic worms on a swim head jig are productive.
The sucker bite for musky was just beginning with the advance of colder weather in the Eagle River area. That's fallen off now, but it's still a good idea to "soak a sucker" while casting. These fish got a taste of live bait for a bit and a live 11 to 13 inch sucker may draw some attention to the boat. Drop the sucker just off the bottom outside of the weeds in 8 to 12 feet of water. Cast Burts, Jakes, seven inch Cranes and Depthraiders outside and just over the weedlines. Pull out the plastics arsenal now and start chucking Swim'n Joes, Suze Suckers, Foluttertails, Bulldawgs or Live Action lures over the depths, humps and cribs. On cloudy days with a slight chop on the water work Pacemakers, Hellhounds, Docs, Suicks, Eddies or anyh number of noisy topwaters. The musky have been active lately.
For walleye in the Eagle River area, don't use a fast presentation. Walleye don't want to see a minnow or crawler whizzing by at warp factor two. Boat control is everything in early fall, and don't be afraid to anchor, if fish are marked on electronics. Nightcrawlers and leeches (if you can find them) are still working, either jigged or with slip bobbers in depths to 20 plus feet. Target sand or gravel flats, and if there are rocks around, even better. On cloudier days with a slight chop in the water, get closer to the deepest weeds, and drop XL fatheads or walleye suckers. The bonus is that larger perch and bass will also hit.
Panfishing in the Eagle River areas has been a little tougher lately.
Target weed edges from 6 to 12 feet with half a crawler, leech or minnow, for perch. Bluegills will be tighter to the weeds, and using a longer rod, drop live bait or small plastics like Gulp! or Power Baits into the small holes. Crappie remain suspended and mobile in and around structure. Small minnows or cubbies are pulling fish.
Hunters should now be getting up to Eagle River for the unmatched fall hunting opportunities, including black bear, deer, waterfowl, and gamebirds such as grouse. And don't forget that fall in Eagle River means trophy musky and great walleye fishing. Now is the time to join us in Eagle River for the wonderful fall season.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
The up and down water temperatures are putting the fish in their seasonal funk in the Eagle River area. Water temps that had been in the upper 50s are now back to the mid-60s.
The northern keep hitting everything in the Eagle River area. Sizes have fallen off, but the numbers keep climbing. Spinners, small surface lures and chubs are all effective in the broadleaf weeds. Bigger fish seem to park in the deeper vegetation, so check those clear lakes first.
In the Eagle River area, smallies will frequent the same deep areas as the walleye and presentations can be the same, as well. Mid-sized crankbaits zipped along rock piles or rip-rap are triggering strikes. Largemouth remain much shallower, near weeds, reeds and structure, and torpedoes, spinnerbaits, Timberdoodles, or plastic worms on a swim head jig are productive.
The sucker bite for musky was just beginning with the advance of colder weather in the Eagle River area. That's fallen off now, but it's still a good idea to "soak a sucker" while casting. These fish got a taste of live bait for a bit and a live 11 to 13 inch sucker may draw some attention to the boat. Drop the sucker just off the bottom outside of the weeds in 8 to 12 feet of water. Cast Burts, Jakes, seven inch Cranes and Depthraiders outside and just over the weedlines. Pull out the plastics arsenal now and start chucking Swim'n Joes, Suze Suckers, Foluttertails, Bulldawgs or Live Action lures over the depths, humps and cribs. On cloudy days with a slight chop on the water work Pacemakers, Hellhounds, Docs, Suicks, Eddies or anyh number of noisy topwaters. The musky have been active lately.
For walleye in the Eagle River area, don't use a fast presentation. Walleye don't want to see a minnow or crawler whizzing by at warp factor two. Boat control is everything in early fall, and don't be afraid to anchor, if fish are marked on electronics. Nightcrawlers and leeches (if you can find them) are still working, either jigged or with slip bobbers in depths to 20 plus feet. Target sand or gravel flats, and if there are rocks around, even better. On cloudier days with a slight chop in the water, get closer to the deepest weeds, and drop XL fatheads or walleye suckers. The bonus is that larger perch and bass will also hit.
Panfishing in the Eagle River areas has been a little tougher lately.
Target weed edges from 6 to 12 feet with half a crawler, leech or minnow, for perch. Bluegills will be tighter to the weeds, and using a longer rod, drop live bait or small plastics like Gulp! or Power Baits into the small holes. Crappie remain suspended and mobile in and around structure. Small minnows or cubbies are pulling fish.
Hunters should now be getting up to Eagle River for the unmatched fall hunting opportunities, including black bear, deer, waterfowl, and gamebirds such as grouse. And don't forget that fall in Eagle River means trophy musky and great walleye fishing. Now is the time to join us in Eagle River for the wonderful fall season.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Greetings!
The weather today is quite perfect! Temperatures are in the high 70's and there is just a light breeze in the air. As we watch the leaves fall around us, the weekend was full of Festivals celebrating Fall. September is coming to a quick end, but before we start getting ready for October, don't forget to venture into the last of the events September has to offer! The last weekend, the 28th and 29th, head to Minocqua for the 43rd annual Beef-O-Rama. This event is full of crafts, good food, and large sales. Hope to see you there!
Lindsay
Lindsay
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
I Love Autumn!
Salutations!
There is only one word to sum up the Northwoods at this time: Beautiful! The trees are now beginning to burst with bright colors in orange, gold, and red. Now is a great time for outdoor family pictures, fishing trips, or even a nice drive. Today is warm with a nice cool breeze, and I think we can expect similar weather for the rest of the week, with scattered showers here and there. The housekeeping staff has been brilliantly adding fall decor around us, and the grounds are quite and peaceful. It reminds me why Autumn is my favorite season.
Lindsay
There is only one word to sum up the Northwoods at this time: Beautiful! The trees are now beginning to burst with bright colors in orange, gold, and red. Now is a great time for outdoor family pictures, fishing trips, or even a nice drive. Today is warm with a nice cool breeze, and I think we can expect similar weather for the rest of the week, with scattered showers here and there. The housekeeping staff has been brilliantly adding fall decor around us, and the grounds are quite and peaceful. It reminds me why Autumn is my favorite season.
Lindsay
Friday, September 14, 2007
Chilly!
Greetings! This day we are bundling up as it is only a high of 45 degrees today! The rain continues to fall, and already snowflakes have been spotted throughout the Northwoods, giving all a shock! Enjoy the cooler weather, and stay warm and dry!
-Bess
-Bess
Monday, September 10, 2007
Weekly Fishing Report
Bass, northern and panfish putting on a strong bite, with muskie picking up, along with a subtle walleye bite, in the Eagle River, Wisconsin area.
The winds of change are coming in the weather and the fishing will go right along with the fishing getting steadily better in the Eagle River area.
The bass bite is still first rate. Largemouth continue to ambush small spinners, topwaters or plastics in and around weeds in depths to 6 feet.
Keep keying on structure (stumps, deadfalls, piers, etc.). Ther smallies are parked in deeper water for the most part, sometimes down 20+ feet.
Whole crawlers are working best. Find areas of reeds sticking out of the water, and Rattler in there. Mepps, Timberdoodles also work well when tossed into the reeds where the crankbaits can't go.
Northerns are all over the bigger chubs in the Eagle River area. Work one through the weeds or hooked beneath a float. That's the hot presentation right now. Larger buzz baits or a Creeper over the weeds will also get smacked.
Panfish action is A plus right now in the Eagle River area. Nice sized perch remain in and around the weeds in depths to 18 feet. If there's gravel or sand around, even better. Small jigs and large fatheads or a piece of crawler are working. The bluegills diet still consists of small leafworms, tube jigs and cubbies. Bobber fishing is most effective. The crappie, once located are getting huge and don't be afraid to up the bait size. Anglers using extra large fatheads and walleye suckers for these fish, are getting lots of slabs. Find the old cribs, deeper stumps and weeds and use the bobber and jig combination to cover water. The crappie are still very mobile, so be prepared to move to stay with the fish. The action has been really good and will improve even further with the cooler weather.
Many times the early mornings are calm and shrouded in fog. This is an excellent time to try for musky in the Eagle River area. Use a Suick, Hellhound, Topraider, Undertaker or any number of noisy topwater or jerkbaits. Work weedlines anywhere from 6 to 12 feet and follow through with a figure eight. The most productive times run from about 5:30 am to 8:00 am, but it's changing rapidly as we lose light everyday now. As the day brightens, work some of these same areas with larger bucktails, Shallowraiders, Big Game or Smity's.
For walleyes in the Eagle River area, park over sand flats or rock in 10 to 15 feet of water. Use a fathead or crawler, or drift with a crawler harness. Slip bobber rigs are almost required now, but jigging at the same time in these areas is turning up some whoppers. The bite a VERY SUBTLE, especially if you can still find a leech to use, so be aware of the slightest tap on your line. Early & late, target the 5 to 10 foot weeds with fatheads. Better bite is during low light hours, but during daylight, if there's cloud cover and little chop in the water, it's prime time.
Hunters should now be getting up to Eagle River for the unmatched fall hunting opportunities, including black bear, deer, waterfowl, geese and game birds such as grouse. And don't forget that the fall up in Eagle River for the wonderful fall season.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
The winds of change are coming in the weather and the fishing will go right along with the fishing getting steadily better in the Eagle River area.
The bass bite is still first rate. Largemouth continue to ambush small spinners, topwaters or plastics in and around weeds in depths to 6 feet.
Keep keying on structure (stumps, deadfalls, piers, etc.). Ther smallies are parked in deeper water for the most part, sometimes down 20+ feet.
Whole crawlers are working best. Find areas of reeds sticking out of the water, and Rattler in there. Mepps, Timberdoodles also work well when tossed into the reeds where the crankbaits can't go.
Northerns are all over the bigger chubs in the Eagle River area. Work one through the weeds or hooked beneath a float. That's the hot presentation right now. Larger buzz baits or a Creeper over the weeds will also get smacked.
Panfish action is A plus right now in the Eagle River area. Nice sized perch remain in and around the weeds in depths to 18 feet. If there's gravel or sand around, even better. Small jigs and large fatheads or a piece of crawler are working. The bluegills diet still consists of small leafworms, tube jigs and cubbies. Bobber fishing is most effective. The crappie, once located are getting huge and don't be afraid to up the bait size. Anglers using extra large fatheads and walleye suckers for these fish, are getting lots of slabs. Find the old cribs, deeper stumps and weeds and use the bobber and jig combination to cover water. The crappie are still very mobile, so be prepared to move to stay with the fish. The action has been really good and will improve even further with the cooler weather.
Many times the early mornings are calm and shrouded in fog. This is an excellent time to try for musky in the Eagle River area. Use a Suick, Hellhound, Topraider, Undertaker or any number of noisy topwater or jerkbaits. Work weedlines anywhere from 6 to 12 feet and follow through with a figure eight. The most productive times run from about 5:30 am to 8:00 am, but it's changing rapidly as we lose light everyday now. As the day brightens, work some of these same areas with larger bucktails, Shallowraiders, Big Game or Smity's.
For walleyes in the Eagle River area, park over sand flats or rock in 10 to 15 feet of water. Use a fathead or crawler, or drift with a crawler harness. Slip bobber rigs are almost required now, but jigging at the same time in these areas is turning up some whoppers. The bite a VERY SUBTLE, especially if you can still find a leech to use, so be aware of the slightest tap on your line. Early & late, target the 5 to 10 foot weeds with fatheads. Better bite is during low light hours, but during daylight, if there's cloud cover and little chop in the water, it's prime time.
Hunters should now be getting up to Eagle River for the unmatched fall hunting opportunities, including black bear, deer, waterfowl, geese and game birds such as grouse. And don't forget that the fall up in Eagle River for the wonderful fall season.
(Report for the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce based on Creative Brilliance interview with Mike Michalak of Guides Choice Pro Shop).
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Fall Has Arrived!
Cooler temperatures have moved in and we are seeing minimal changes in the leave coloring. The cooler temperatures are making it very nice to go for a long bike ride on one of the Northwood's many bike trails. Many of our guests are taking full advantage of renting our pontoons and spending some time out in the beautiful surroundings of Little Saint Germain lake. The wildlife in the area have also been out enjoying the beginnings of fall. I have been noticing the squirrels and chipmunks running around with stuffed cheeks looking for places to store all of their food for the winter. There has twice been deer right out side of the office door in the evening grazing on the grass. With football season finally kicking off, looks like a great way to welcome the fall season.
Lindsay
Lindsay
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Fall is Here!
Greetings!
The summer has wound down, and this past Labor Day Weekend closed the warmer months up. It is still warm out, but I have seen a few leaves here and there that have changed color! The lakes have been very low, and fishing has not been so great, but we have been hearing from guests that the panfish action is great! The nights have now gotten colder, and we are prepping up for fall.
This fall we are offering Guided Pontoon Color Tours on Little St. Germain Lake as well as information on several Cranberry Marsh Tours and Fishing Tournaments. Fall is such a great time of year. Get out and enjoy the cooler weather!
-Bess
The summer has wound down, and this past Labor Day Weekend closed the warmer months up. It is still warm out, but I have seen a few leaves here and there that have changed color! The lakes have been very low, and fishing has not been so great, but we have been hearing from guests that the panfish action is great! The nights have now gotten colder, and we are prepping up for fall.
This fall we are offering Guided Pontoon Color Tours on Little St. Germain Lake as well as information on several Cranberry Marsh Tours and Fishing Tournaments. Fall is such a great time of year. Get out and enjoy the cooler weather!
-Bess
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