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

07-05-10

By George Langley

Just what we needed for the fishing to improve - warmer weather - has arrived. This hot and humid weather we experienced over the weekend was good for our lakes in that it raised the water temps considerably. It is now in the 70's areawide. Some more rain has again helped the water levels on lakes, but we need a lot more to get back to normal. Every little bit helps, though, and this is a lot better than last summers dry and cold weather. Let's just hope for more nighttime storms.

Lakes in general are clear and experiencing good weed growth for this time of year. We've had comments that the Chain is clearer than normal, but our guides see this as a trend that started several years ago.

Walleye fishing is a little slow right now. Basically what has happened is that the fish are scattered between spring and summer patterns, with a little of a (very late) mayfly hatch happening just to confuse matters even worse. We'd expect a full summer pattern normally by this time of year, with the fish moving to deeper water and looking more at rock bars and other mid-lake structure. This is not the case, with some of the fish in the weeds and shallower, and some of them hanging around mud flats and the rest is deep water. This transition period will end, we think, with the warmer weather.

Most of our guides say the "bite" has been on the light side, but try some leeches along with your normal jig n' minnow presentations.

On the deeper, clear lakes, start trying some deeper water presentations off the structure during the daytime.

Northern action has been very good all year. These aggressive fish will stay in the weeds all year and provide us with good action on both artificials and on live bait. Use jigs with either redtail or creek chubs in those weeds for best live bait action. For artificial lures, try spinnerbaits, Mepps spinners, twitch baits or even surface baits.

Bass action has moved completely now to summer patterns. The largemouth are in heavier cover in the weeds and shoreline debris such as fallen trees, piers, boathouses and the like. The thicker the better for these fish.

Smallies have moved now to rocks in the 6 to 12' ranges and are feeding heavily on crayfish. The action with these fish can be great with jigs and leeches, or with any crayfish imitation crankbait. Tube jigs in crayfish colors work very well in many cases also.

Musky action on the Chain has been great, as the tournament results from the last several tournaments attest. These fish are spread out from shoreline cover to deep water. With the much heavier daytime boating action now, you would be well advised to try some deeper running baits in 12' or more throughout the Chain.

Night fishing is doing quite well for many anglers now also, with some big fish being reported from many lakes in the areas. For this type of fishing, any bait that makes noise will work well.

Panfish fishing has been very good, with consistent bluegill action reported, especially in the evening. They are in deeper weeds during the daytime, but have moved to shallower areas in the evenings for several weeks. Waxworms or leaf worms work best.

Perch are in the deeper weeds now, and basically acting like small walleye. You can catch some nice perch on worms or smaller minnows in the weed areas. Generally, the deeper the weeds the bigger the fish.

Crappies are hitting in deep weed areas and over deep brush piles. Minnows are best for these summer fish.

All in all, it'll be a good week for fishing.

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

JUNE 2010

NORTHWOODS REPORT

Summer has arrived early in the Northwoods with above average temperatures. Spawning of all species was outstanding and fishing is very good. With this successful spawn, the fishing in five years will be productive. Walleye and northern are now producing numbers for fish and they are in the shallow weeds and weed edges. Jigs and medium fathead minnows are the best lures to use. Crappie and bluegill are in the shallows, two to four feet, and are responding to live and artificial baits.

The turkey season is over and the hunters were successful. The bright spot is that there are still turkeys running all over the area. With a good spring hatch the season next year will be equally as good as this year.

Boating activity is picking up and the pontoon boaters are enjoying the lakes and the beautiful scenery on the lakes. Presently the temperatures are leaning toward a hot summer. I must say that we do need rain because we are in a drought that is equal to the thirties. To our vacationers, please do not get upset if your week is rainy as we not lots of rain.

This year is going to offer a bumper crop of blueberries. Those that like to spend time in the woods, mid to late July is the time to pick this tasty crop. Enjoy your time in the Northwoods and enjoy our rivers, lakes and streams.

                                                            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!