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

08-23-10

by George Langley

As we are slipping into the fall patterns, we are still going to get some warmer weather. Not like last year, when we had all our fall weather during the summer. We have, at this time, some rather cool water temps compared to a normal summer. Warmer than last year, however, and higher water levels. This rain received last week was enough to really help some of the lakes, but again, the seepage lakes almost seem beyond help in many cases.

Water sports in general will slow down now and the lakes will revert back to being the playground for anglers. Every year, the fishing for many species is very good during the fall period and we all eagerly wait for this time. We are already seeing the early start of some color on some stressed trees, and the green tint on the maples is starting to lighten. It should be a great year for fall color. Can't wait!

Walleye fishing has improved somewhat, especially on the Chain in the last week or so. These fish are all over the place, from the holes to the weeds. The best way to fish on the Chain is to start in the weed areas and, failing to find fish there, moving deeper to the hole edges. Jigs and minnows are starting to produce again - another clear indication of fall.

The larger lakes are also starting to produce, both in the weeds and on those deep rock bar areas. It has been a tougher summer on these lakes, especially during daytime hours. The fall fishing, including larger fish, will be much better on these big lakes.

Bass action really took a dip in the last several weeks. As we have been a little bit on that temperature roller coaster, we have felt the fish were just reacting to that. The other thing about smallies - as the crayfish die away they will start to search out minnow populations, and thus disperse somewhat from their summer rock bar habitat.

Largemouth have remained in the weeds and are still hitting well on plastics and on surface baits.

Northern action remains good to great and they are still hitting well in the weeds. For those who would like to try live bait, just slip bobber with redtail or creek chubs along deeper weed edges. A lot of these fish are caught especially by musky fishermen throwing bucktails in the weeds, so that tell us what to use for them as far as artificials go.

Musky action is pretty good for this time of year. Some decent daytime action has been reported throughout the area, and this pattern will strengthen during September.  The night fishing for these fish remains good and will be the same for some time now.

Panfish action is a little slower as the water temps decline. The bluegills are still in the weeds and still hitting, but as the summer goes on their numbers are reduced by anglers and natural predation. Crappies are hitting in the brush piles and deeper weeds on minnows. Perch are locating in deeper weeds and are hitting well on leeches and minnows.

What happens with our fishing from this point forward will depend on weather - if we get cold fronts, expect walleye and musky to hit. On the other hand, warm fronts will bring on the bass and panfish.

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

AUGUST 2010

NORTHWOODS REPORT

We are entering the last month of summer and Eagle River is bustling with activity. Fishing has been outstanding this year and it will continue throughout the remainder of the season. The Eagle River Chain has been producing some of the largest musky in years and the numbers are also above average. Many new musky fishermen have boated their first legal fish this year. Other area lakes have also produced many large fish and good numbers. Walleye are very active this year and minnows are the best producing bait but nightcrawlers are also working well. Bass are active and some nice sized fish are being caught. Leeches are the best live bait and rubber worms and tube jigs are also producing good results. Panfish are also offering great action and excellent table fare. Crappie and bluegill are the easiest to catch but nice sized perch need a little more work.

The outdoor hikers are experiencing some great wildlife viewing with everything from eagles, osprey, pileated woodpeckers, ducks and geese. For the larger animals black bear, deer, beaver and otter are common.

This year has offered an abundant crop of blueberries and the picking is easy. Our freezer will be full of pies by the end of the season. Enjoy our Northwoods and respect it!

                                                            Keep a tight line,

Yukon

*Yukon Jack Outfitters,

1857 Scattering Rice Lake Rd.,

Eagle River, WI  54521,

715-479-3219; website: www.yukonjackegv.com

We can honestly say that there is no place on earth with as much variety of fishing opportunities in freshwater fishing. With literally hundreds of lakes of all sizes, and miles and miles of trout streams, plus the fishing in the Wisconsin River, you could fish every day of the open water season and never hit the same water twice. We have great fishing for trout, musky walleye, smallmouth & largemouth bass, northerns and all types of panfish. You can catch most of these species within the city limits of Eagle River.

Musky fishing is spectacular, with people travelling from all over the world to fish these great gamefish. The action starts on the Memorial Day weekend - and there is good fishing for them right from the start. Our variety of musky waters run from the Wisconsin and Eagle Rivers to lakes running from 50 to 4,000 acres. We also have a great variety of dark and clear water lakes for all weather conditions.When you are thinking musky you may want to fish them in the summer while on a family vacation. At this time of the year surface baits provide heart-stopping action - and you can fish early and late in the day while still boating or otherwise enjoying life with the family. One great thing to remember about musky is that they hit at any time - not just at a particular time of day, Fall musky fishing is the best of the trophy time, with numerous huge musky caught (and usually released) every year. This is the time that our many excellent area guides are very busy with musky clients.

Walleye fishing is also good, especially in the spring and fall. Our game fish season starts on the first weekend in May and the walleye are active from the start. Most opening weekends find some of the best fishing of the year, with the fish still in the shallows from spawning. May is a great time to fish walleye with light tackle along the shorelines. June finds the fish moving deeper, with good action experienced in deeper weeds and on mid-lake structure.
As the summer vacation period happens our guides will still find these great tasting fish daily, and many a vacation has been enhanced with an evening meal of fresh-caught walleye. They are located deeper in the summer, usually around mid-lake bars and reefs.
Fall walleye fishing is great, with days of 10 - 30 walleye not uncommon. This is the time of the year for fishing with jigs and larger minnows for big fish. You can also experience fine artificial bait luck at this time of year with crankbaits.

Northern pike abound in this area also, with a variety of lakes for these fish. We do have some trophy water for these fish, although most of our lakes contain mid-sized fish in good numbers. This is a great gamefish to introduce to you children to fishing for while on vacation, because of their aggressive nature and abundance.

This area has not been previously known as a hotbed for largemouth bass, but it is a real "sleeper" area for these fish. You will experience a huge variety of conditions and types of fishing for them, from 20 acre ponds to 2,000 acre lakes. More and more our guides have learned to take clients to out-of-the-way small bog lakes for these fish. Fish to 6 pounds are not uncommon, but most fish run in the 2-3 pound range.

Smallmouth bass are a different story - we have some of the best smallmouth fishing in the world right here. Catches of 50 fish a day are not uncommon, and many trophies are taken yearly. The smallies hit right from opening day on - and it again is a wonderful way to introduce your friend or children to gamefish fishing with a certainty of success. Another way of enjoying fishing for smallmouth is to flyfish for them. This is becoming a much more popular sport yearly. Many area guides have become adepot at this type of fishing.

Out trout fishing is also varied, with both streams and lakes available. The experience of wilderness fishing for trout along our hundreds of miles of streams is a great way to spend a summer day or evening. Most area streams are small, but loaded with fish. A number of our rivers or streams can be canoed.There is a good number of lakes and ponds for trout fishing also, and these fish are noted for hitting all season long.

One of the great benefits of coming to this area is the variety - there is ALWAYS some type of fish active and hitting. Bring a variety of rods, or just hire one of the many local guides and they will provide equipment for you.

Good luck and good fishing!