Fishing Report
Now the first week of fishing season is over, so how did you do?
Many of the people I talked to had mixed results. Most worked hard
to get their limit of walleyes.
Most that came in this week did very
well. All talking about their day on the water and how they did.
The big one that got away or even better the the big one that
didn't. Like- Steve Hagen who won a rod + reel combo from the
Fishing Hole for his 5 Lb, 2 oz. 25 3/4" walleye.
Yes it was opening weekend and most
of us think of just one fish, the walleye. We sometimes overlook
the opportunities of the other fish in the lake. Along with the
walleyes, I also heard of the trout that were biting very well on
crappie minnows. The suckers that were biting are very good smoked
on crackers with cheese. They are taking crawlers right now and
they can make for a good fight on the end of your line. The
bluegills and crappies are starting to school up, in a few weeks
they should be on their beds. They become very easy to catch at
that time. So please remember our children and leave some for them.
Bass and musky are also being caught
in good numbers right now. It can be hard to put back that six
pound smallmouth or that first musky but give it some time and it
will come again.
A few people even went for the fish
I like to eat the most. The snot rocket, slime chister, hammer
handle, yes the northern is sought after. If you fillet the y bones
out of them they make one of the best fish to fry. If you would
like to learn how to clean a northern bring one in to me, around 30"
please, and I will show you how to do it.
Even I got out on opening day this
year. This is a case of always take your children fishing to
instill the thrill of the great outdoors and to have cherished
memories of days in the field, woods, or on the water that will give
you fond memories to reflect upon. Or in this case, let them laugh
at you until their sides hurt and your friends join them much to
your embarrassment.
Here it comes, the plug for the
store, The Fishing Hole LLC Bait + Tackle is located at 3460 Faust
Lake Rd, Rhinelander. 715-362-1510 or e-mail
tfhllc@gmail.com.
We are a fulll line bait + tackle
store as we do license, line winding and have a rod and reel
giveaway each week. This week is the biggest crappie and next week,
starting the 16th, is the bluegill. On the 23rd the northern is
the fish of the week. Stop in for a cup of coffee and some fish
stories.
We are lucky to
have a great
resource in our
backyards, here in Rhinelander.
The Rhinelander area lakes should be
your
recreational destination. Excellent
fishing, coupled with the
accommodations
of the nearby city, make this area second to none.
Welcome to Hodag Country!
Play for a sample of some Rhinelander Area Fishing
Below are descriptions of some of the more popular area lakes.
We will continue to add some
video lake "commercials" throughout the seasons. Make sure to
check out the Chamber's outdoors
businesses listed below left. Also, if you're looking for guide
quality fishing information, in a digital
downloadable format, check the many products available in the
"Information on where to fish"
sections. We eliminate dead water, so you don't spend your day
floating in it...
Boom Lake Lake Profile:
2,200 acres, 30 ft deep, backwaters of the Wisconsin River Featured Species: Musky,
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye
Play for a look at Boom Lake Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: This system is
one of the best fisheries in the Northwoods. The Muskie
fishing is what most think of when talking about Boom, but the
bass and panfish will rival any lake in the North. There are
legit 50 inch musky, and smallmouth bass up to 6 pounds swimming
around in this system. The pan-fishing is excellent, as
well. Although you will catch an occasional big fish, the
majority of the crappie and bluegill are in the "decent sized"
range. There are plenty of them, however, making anyone's
trip worthwhile.
Events on Boom Lake:
June
31st annual Musky Tournament
August
Hodag Bassmasters Open Tournament
September Hodag Musky
Challenge
December NAIFC Series
Championship
February
Lions Ice Fishing Jamboree
Lake George
Lake Profile: 435 acres-26 ft deep Featured Species: Musky,
Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Walleye
Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: Lake George is a
popular fishing destination in this area. There are plenty
of 40 inch Muskie swimming around. The lake also has a
healthy walleye population. The lake also has some
nice crappie opportunities.
Events on Lake George:
September Hodag Musky
Challenge
Lake Thompson
Lake Profile: 382 acres-35 ft deep Featured Species: Musky,
Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Bluegill, and Perch
Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: Thompson has a good
walleye population. There have been 50 inch Muskie caught in
these waters, although, it is best known for action sized fish.
There are also good numbers of crappie and bluegill and yellow
perch. The waters are dark so use of your electronics is a
must to locate structure.
Events on Lake Thompson:
September Hodag Musky
Challenge
Crescent Lake
Lake Profile: 612 acres-37 ft deep Featured Species: Musky,
Walleye, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Perch, Bluegill, and
Crappie
Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: Crescent's clear waters
hold a good all around fishery. There is a strong Muskie
population, along side a very good walleye population. The
crystal clear waters present challenges to most fishing on bright
days. Find the structure in this lake to find the fish.
The healthy musky population keep all other species close to
somewhere to hide... There are 4 pound smallmouth, 50 inch
Muskie, 15 inch perch, and some 9 plus inch gills in here!
Events on Crescent:
September Hodag Musky
Challenge
Squash Lake
Lake Profile: 392 acres-81 ft deep Featured Species: Walleye,
Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, and Perch
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: Squash is a sleeper for
some big fish. The clear, deep, waters provide home to some
good fishing action. Good walleye, both large and smallmouth
bass, and crappie provide good fishing action for decent sized
fish. The gills in this lake can get BIG. In fact, the
former State Record bluegill of 2 lb 4 oz...Now, that's a giant
gill!
Events on Squash:
Oneida Lake
Lake Profile: 255 acres-34 ft deep Featured Species: Walleye,
Bluegill, Crappie, Smallmouth Bass, and Pumpkinseed
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: This is a good Muskie
and Walleye fishing lake. It is a clear lake, and must be
fished keeping that in mind with your presentations. The
lake data indicates that bluegill and black crappie are present,
but I saw a 15 inch crappie that came out here in the winter of
09...
Events on Oneida:
September Hodag
Muskie Challenge
Hancock Lake
Lake Profile: 259 acres-22 ft deep Featured Species: Largemouth
Bass, Muskie, Crappie, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: This lake
is has got an excellent Muskie and Largemouth Bass population.
There are good numbers of crappie and bluegills as well.
There are also sleeper walleye in here. There are not a lot
of them, but the ones that are left, can get big. The lake
gets pretty choked out with weeds in the summer, so fishing
requires gear to deal with it. No sense in downsizing here.
Events on Hancock:
September Hodag
Muskie Challenge
Moens Lake Chain
Lakes Profile: 1st Lake 460 acres-11ft deep, 2nd Lake
111 acres-11 ft deep, 3rd Lake 103 acres-14 ft deep, 4th and 5th
Lakes 498 acres-9 ft deep Featured Species:
Walleye, Crappie, Muskie, Northern Pike, Largemouth and Smallmouth
Bass, Bluegill, and Perch
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: This is another
lake system that routinely cough's up 50 inch 30 lb Muskie.
This area is full of them. There is also a good Walleye
population in here. There are also some big crappie in this
system, with 13 to 15 inch fish not uncommon!
Events on Moens:
September Hodag Muskie
Challenge
Lake Julia
Lake Profile: 238 acres-19 ft deep Featured Species: Largemouth
Bass, Muskie, Perch, Bluegill, Crappie
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: A healthy
population of "Action" Muskies are present in this lake. It
is not unusual to see several 40 inch class fish each day you are
out here. The lake also has a good largemouth bass
population and good number of gills, crappie, and perch. The
lake is fishable in a morning, and is worth a visit.
Events on Julia:
September Hodag
Muskie Challenge
Lake Mildred
Lake Profile: 190 acres-45 ft deep Featured Species: Largemouth
and Smallmouth Bass, Muskie, Perch, Bluegill, Crappie
Information on where to fish:
Coming in 2009! Check back...
Notes: Another good sleeper
lake. Mildred is tucked away off the main path, but has a
modest number of walleye. There are a good number of Tiger
Muskie in the lake as well, with a former line class record 36 lb
specimen caught in the recent past. There are also some good
crappie available.
Events on Mildred:
Pelican Lake
Lake Profile: 3,585 acres-39 ft deep Featured Species: Muskie,
Walleye, Perch, Bluegill, Crappie, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass,
and Northern Pike
Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: This lake is the
largest in the county, and has a fishery to support it.
There are a good number of walleye in the lake. Since the
lake is large, and their opportunities vast, knowing where to go
can make or break your trip here. There have been 40
lb Muskies taken from these waters, with 40 inch fish, common.
There is also a good perch fishing, and the large and smallmouth
bass are a fun option, too.
Events on Pelican:
September Hodag
Muskie Challenge
Sugar Camp Chain
Lake Profile: Chain Lake 219 acres-19 ft deep, Echo
Lake 107 acres-18 ft deep, Stone Lake 188 acres-16 ft deep,
Sand Lake 540 acres-25 ft deep, Dam Lake 744 acres-32 ft deep Featured Species: Largemouth
Bass, Muskie, Perch, Bluegill, Crappie
Information on where to fish:
Check out the digital downloadable fishing information products
HERE.
Notes: This chain is a classic
Muskie and Walleye chain. There are Muskie up to 45 inches
and walleye to trophy size, as well. There is also a good
smallmouth fishery, and pan-fishing opportunities are present.
You will find an abundant supply of yellow perch, and crappie and
gills around the cribs.
