This is THE Eagle River Pastime

There are many reasons to visit our neck of the woods. Idyllic forest backdrops. Clean, fresh air. Winter sports like snowmobiling. But there’s one pastime that’s stood the test of time and been passed down from generation to generation: Fishing.

Were you with your dad or uncle the first time you fished? Maybe you were in the Eagle River area casting into Catfish Lake. Now is the time to pass the tradition onto the next generation of anglers in the Northwoods. We’ve got picturesque landscapes on the shores of hundreds of lakes that are just teeming with fish … and memories of the past and memories yet to be made.

First Time? No Problem!

Choosing the right bait and setting the hook are important first steps for any beginner. Even if it’s not the ideal selection, the classic wiggly worm is a great way to get the interest of a younger child. Those first fishing outings aren’t necessarily about teaching all the strategies, it’s about having fun together.

One of the best ways to learn the basics without having to manage every line is to bring a fishing guide. Not only will a guide provide all the basic knowledge first-time anglers need, they have the local knowhow to get some nibbles in nearly any Eagle River area lake, from Yellow Birch Lake to Big Fork Lake.

Learning the basics early sets the foundation for a sustained tradition. By teaching these skills right away, it invites young anglers to think, wonder, and try to get better.

A Lake Family for Your Family

One of the best ways to instill or sustain a tradition is to keep doing it in the same place at the same time. For instance, after several years of visiting, most young anglers will soon learn that the third weekend in August is the National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River. The Open uses a “Lake Family” designation for its tournament. Perhaps your family tradition rotates which family of lakes are fished each year or maybe you settle in at one particular body of water in the World’s Largest Chain of Freshwater Lakes in the World.

Choosing a resort, cabin, or lodging option can also serve as a cornerstone to your fishing tradition. There’s an overnight experience that can accommodate nearly any kind of feel you want to create for an annual pilgrimage.

A Reel Fishing Tradition

Be part of an unbreakable line. Teach the next generation about the joys of fishing and spending time with loved ones in the pursuit of a big catch. Just think, it might lead to the first “one that got away” story your niece tells. Maybe it’ll be the first time your son puts up the “Gone fishin’” sign. If you want to start that tradition up here with us… well, the fish are biting.