Here's
what George Langley of the Eagle River Fishing Guide
Association, is reporting about fishing in the Eagle
River area:
FISHING WITH THE GUIDES
10-26-09
by George Langley
We have certainly had our share of inconsistent fall weather, as we've had some snow, rain, nice days and a lot of wind. This is all par for the course in October up here. This week promises to be a nicer period to get out on the lakes, with at least some reduction in that hated east wind and some warmer temps for a few days.
Water temps are now down in the lower to mid 40's on most lakes. Turnover is a thing of the past, and the lakes are all "gin clear". We have even has a small rise in the water levels on some area lakes, as the last round of snow & rain gave us roughly 2 inches in the area. It is fall trophy time!
Walleye have been hitting pretty well throughout the area, but with windy conditions it has been tough fishing for them. The bite now is definitely on jigs & minnows, with large fatheads being the favorite minnow. On the Chain the holes have been producing best, but some bigger fish have been caught on the deep weed flats. Concentrations of good numbers of fish seem to be in almost every hole on Catfish, Cranberry, Yellow Birch and Eagle. On the bigger, deeper lakes there is a drop-off pattern, with fish feeding in 18 to 30' of water on hard bottom edges. Some anglers prefer larger minnow when fishing these lakes - such as redtail chubs. As we said earlier, the wind has been making it tough to get out to some of these spots on the big lakes, with tough boat and line control on these windy days.
Musky have been streaky. It seems every group we talk to have a different "take" on the fishing. At this point, it hasn't been a great trophy fall, but there is still time to have a great year from the standpoint of serious fall musky fishermen. Sucker action has been good for the most part, but that east based wind last week slowed things down a little. We can start thinking a little about the Cisco spawn, as the fish start to gather near their spawning flats soon.
One of the surprising things about fall fishing is the number of very large smallmouth caught by musky or walleye anglers. It is a great time to fish for these guys in the deeper weeds with large minnows.
There are very few panfish anglers out there at this time of year. Most seem to be content to just wait for the ice fishing season, which isn't that far away.
Good luck and good fishn'
For
more information about fishing the Eagle River area
call us or visit our website.:
*George Langley, Eagle River Fishing Guide Association, 715-479-8804;
www.eagleriverfishingguides.com
OCTOBER 2009
NORTHWOODS REPORT
Fall is in the air as the color change is happening. By the first week in October the color will be between fifty and seventy five per cent. This is a gorgeous time to be in the Northwoods. The wildlife is preparing for the winter season and they are on the move. Hiking in the color time and viewing these animals is a real treat. Blueberries are at the end of the season but some patches are still offering this delicious fruit.
The weather this year has been a real challenge for fishermen, but with some thinking and trial and error, fish can be caught. First, the waters were warm and the fish were in shallow water. Then the temperatures were below average in August and the fish started to go into in a fall pattern and moved to deeper water. In September the weather turned warmer and the water temperatures went up and the fish moved back to shallow water. October temperatures will cool down and the fish will move back to the deeper areas of the lakes.
I look for the fishing to get better as the water temperatures cool and after turn over the fishing will be very predictable. Turn over is when the water temperatures are the same from surface to bottom. A good indicator is when the lakes are very clear. This is a trigger to the fish that they must feed heavily for the winter season.
Archery deer season and the bear season is now open and hunters are out looking for their winter food supply. Enjoy our fall season in the Northwoods.
Keep a tight line,
Yukon
715-479-3219
www.yukonjackegv.com
*Yukon Jack Outfitters,
1857
Scattering Rice Lake Rd.,
Eagle
River, WI 54521,
715-479-3219;
website: www.yukonjackegv.com
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