Fishing in
Eagle River
Fishing Report
Updated 08/24
Late August has settled into the Northwoods, and you can feel fall pushing in around the edges. Mornings are cold, with temps dropping into the 40’s at night with some upper 30’s expected soon! Clouds and sun will mix through the week, with a chance of showers midweek – which we still need as we’ve seen some low water on some lakes. Overall, it looks like a stretch of cooler, comfortable weather that will remind us that summer is nearly behind us. The crowds are thinning and school up here is about to start, leaving the lakes quieter and a little easier to fish.
Water temperatures have eased into the low 70s, and weeds remain thick and healthy. This is still the best place to look for fish in general, though heavy cover means you need patience and the right approach. Weedless rigs, slip bobbers, and careful edge work continue to work.
Walleye
Walleye fishing has remained inconsistent, with some anglers reporting a decent bite and others struggling. The most consistent action is still coming in the early mornings and later evenings. Deep weed edges in 10 to 15’, or sand flats in 18 to 20’ on clearer lakes are the most reliable areas. Half crawlers on jigs or slip bobbers are producing well, with leeches doing great, too. It’s been a rough bite for the last couple of weeks, but persistence pays off. When you find them, the bite is good.
Bass
Bass fishing continues to be very strong. Largemouth bass are holding in heavy weeds, downed timber, and under docks. Topwater baits remain fun and effective during the early morning hours, and slower soft plastics fished around cover are keeping the bite going through the day. Smallmouth bass are favoring deeper structure—rock humps, midlake points, and timber in 12 to 20 feet. Tubes, Ned rigs, and drop-shots worked carefully along bottom are taking fish.
Panfish
Panfish continue to be a fun option and are a good way to keep busy when the walleye aren’t cooperating. Crappies are schooling along weed edges in 8 to 12 feet, with small jigs tipped with plastics or fatheads working well. Those mini-mites are a great choice right now. Bluegill are always being found in shallows around docks and weedy bays, especially in the evenings. Perch are moving deeper and tending to hang out with the walleye. They’re being caught on worms or small minnows near bottom.
Musky
Musky fishing remains solid. Thet are active during low-light periods and cloudy weather, with bucktails, topwaters, and big rubber baits all moving fish. Midday trolling over deeper basins continues to be a productive option. We’re coming up on to the best musky fishing of the year, so stay tuned!
As the season moves toward fall, the fish continue to move into their fall patterns. We’re looking forward to some great fishing, and now’s the time we start to hope for some cold and cloudy fall weather during the next couple of months. That can equal some giant muskies! The loons are starting their late-fall calls, and are rallying to leave for warmer weather, while we look forward to ice. Get yourself out on the water now…it’s a fantastic time up here. Have a great Labor Day Weekend!
Good luck and good fishin’!
Report courtesy of George Langley & Eagle Sports Center
