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R ecreation

Recreation : Fishing

Hunting, fishing, trapping and other 2008-2009 license and harvest permits for fish and wildlife activities in Wisconsin will go on sale March 10, 2008. Visit the DNR website for more information.  Licenses and permits for 2007-2008 expired March 31, 2008.

Click here to review questions, new guidelines, and links about Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS) Information.

Shortly after the ice melts on area lakes, fishermen head to St. Germain for panfishing. Crappies, bluegill and perch are all common in St. Germain’s lakes. In spring, look for shallow, warm water, particularly in protected bays, and fish with small jigs and baits. As spring moves on, catch & release bass fishing becomes popular. For the earliest bass action, target shallow, structure-rich lakes with stained waters and dark bottoms.

Summer is the quintessential Northwoods fishing seasons for many anglers. Panfishing gets increasingly better as the year progresses. Muskies become active shortly after their spawn in late spring. Early in the season, target areas just off prominent points and mid-lake humps adjacent to deeper water and fish smaller baits. As the summer progresses, increase the speed of your retrieves and the size of your baits.

St. Germain’s lakes are full of walleyes. Your chances of locating walleyes are greatly increased when you keep an eye on weather conditions, water temperatures and light conditions. Walleye tend to be shallower in low-light periods—such as sunrise, sunset and under cloudy skies—and move deeper during the day. Target mid-lake humps and deep weedlines.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass action is excellent on St. Germain’s lakes. Largemouth bass tend to hold tight to thick weed cover and structure for most of the summer and provide excellent action. Smallmouth are found deeper, generally around deep rocks and deep weedlines. Often when the walleye aren't cooperating, there’s great bass fishing to be had, so be prepared for both species and you'll improve your chances of getting into some great fishing action.

As the days grow shorter towards fall, many of St. Germain's fish species increase their feeding—which makes for great angling. Fall is the best time of year for catching behemoth trophy musky in St. Germain, with really tremendous-sized fish being caught right up until the lakes freeze over. Walleye action often increases as well, as does smallmouth fishing in the early part of fall.

For many fishermen, the real fishing starts when the lakes freeze over. St. Germain is a favorite destination for ice fishermen. Some of the best walleye and northern pike fishing can be had through the ice. The most popular technique for winter walleyes is jigging or using tip-ups with small to medium sized minnows. By far the most popular technique in St. Germain for winter pike is using a tip-up baited with large shiners or other live minnows. Crappies, bluegill and perch are also ice fishing favorites. If you're looking for a great ice fishing getaway, check out the St. Germain resorts that specially cater to ice fishermen, with shanties and amenities ready when you arrive.

Click here for the 2008 Fishing Report for Wisconsin.

Click here for dates of Wisconsin Fishing Seasons.

Click here for 2008 Wisconsin Angler Education Workshops.

Click here for Wisconsin Boat Registration & Titling Instructions.

Click here for online recreational vehicle registration.

Click here to purchase your fishing license online.

Greater St. Germain Fishing Report

Up-to-date Northwoods fishing conditions, provided by local St. Germain area fishing guides

Last updated: July 23rd, 2008

St. Germain, WI (VILAS/ONEIDA COUNTIES) -- as of 07-23-08

St. Germain Fishing
   

Here’s the latest info for the St. Germain area. After having better than a week of rather slow fishing, things are picking up nicely. While some fish species stayed active we had a lull in action on some of our more targeted gamefish.

Water temperatures have risen back into the 70's which is what we like to see for more consistent action at this time of the year. Almost all fish seem to respond better when the daytime temperatures stay in the low to mid 70's.

Panfish have stayed pretty active even during the slow down of other species. Small fish are quite easy to find in the shallow weeds while the bigger bluegills, and crappies are on the deeper weed edges or in deeper holes adjacent to weeds. Look for the bigger fish to be in the 12 to 15 foot range right now. Kids can still catch smaller fish with an odd bigger one showing up right off the docks. A basic hook and bobber rig with a small chunk of nightcrawler will do the trick. For those bigger fish try a bit more crawler or a small leech just off the bottom. Perch seem to be suspending out over deeper water but will make visits into the deeper weeds from time to time.

Bass have also been cooperative. I've been locating bass of both species now closer to the deeper edges of cabbage weeds and of course smallies relating to rocks. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, crawlers, leeches, and artificial worms or tubes are working for these fish.

Walleye are out deep during the daytime hours and moving shallow at night. Use the low light periods of evening and early morning as these fish move into the weed edges or rock bars to feed. Live bait on jigs or with slip bobbers have been working reasonably well but you need to be in the right place to find them actively chasing bait.

Pike are in the weeds and readily chasing all kinds of lure offerings. A white or chartreuse colored spinnerbait is a great choice to get through the weeds and entice a strike. They are also taking live bait when you are fishing for other species.

Musky: I was beginning to wonder if the muskies were ever going to turn on. After a long slow period I'm happy to report that the warm up of water temperature seems to have gotten them active. In my last two outings I've had action from at least four fish each time. Bucktails are starting to become a factor while jerkbaits and crankbaits continue to be good choices. Don’t overlook the surface bite either. This is more what we are accustomed to during the summer months. Look for the morning and evening times to be good productive times but if you’re an avid musky fisherman don't give up in the daytime. I've had action from muskies during the mid-day period too. Try using deep running spinnerbaits running through cabbage beds to attract the interest of muskies during those daylight times. It may be tedious pulling weeds off but if you practice a bit you can get pretty good at working your spinnerbait through them without getting fouled on every cast.
 

Here's a photo of Russ Gorecki and his son Russ Jr. from Park Ridge, IL. Holding young Russ's first musky. It was a very pretty 28” fish and gave the young man quite a thrill. Dad had some knee knocking going on too when a real tanker musky chased his bucktail back to the boat but refused to hit.

Don’t forget to listen in to the “Regular Fishin' for Regular Guys” radio program by going to my website on Sunday evenings at 7:00 pm. Click on the “listen live” icon and you’re connected to the latest fishing information in the northwoods. You’re invited to call in or e-mail the show with your questions or stop by Wild Eagle Resort in Eagle River to view the show live if you're in the area.

Russ Gorecki & son ~ July 2008

 

Pete Stoltman

Last Cast Guide Service

Regular Fishin’ for Regular Guys Outdoor Radio

715-542-4142

www.lastcastguideservice.com

pjs53@frontiernet.net
 
Click here for 2008 Vilas County Fishing Events.

St. Germain Area Fishing Guides
Buck's Guide Service
(715) 277-2568
Dick Bouchonville Guide Service
(715) 542-4212
Erv Keller Guide Service
(715) 385-2265
Lakeside Guide Service
(715) 479-5072
Last Cast Guide Service
(715) 542-4142
Ray's Landing
(715) 542-4642

Interesting Fishing Related Articles

EEK! Environmental Education for Kids - Electronic magazine for kids. Learn about the great outdoors!

Fish & Wildlife Conservation - Oneida County report

Fish & Wildlife Conservation - Vilas County report

Fish Identification Database - Search this database to identify all fish species in Wisconsin.

Lake Turnover - The seasonal process of mother nature cleansing and oxygenating our lakes.

Musky Mania - Tips of the trade from an accomplished musky angler.

Take Me Fishing.org - Website features lists of places to boat & fish and other resources.

Things to See & Do in Vilas County - Fun spots to visit in Vilas County.

Vilas County Lake Directory - Online directory of useful information about Vilas County lakes.

Wisconsin Boating Regulations - Department of Natural Resources online publication.

A Year of Fabulous Fishing - A year round guide to angling opportunities. From January to December, there's always a place to fish, fish to catch and fishing fun to be had!

DNR Discussion Forum

(Username: 'user'    Password: 'user')

Ask questions of local DNR Warden - Mike Sealander

Help control VHS in Wisconsin waters

The Department of Natural Resources has detected a virus affecting fish in the Lake Winnebago system called viral hemorrhagic septicemia, or VHS for short.

The DNR reported that this virus is not harmful to humans and that it is completely safe to handle and eat fish caught in Wisconsin waters. It is important to note that VHS is a deadly virus to fish and spreads easily among a variety of fish populations. The DNR is actively responding to contain this threat and has issued the following recommendations that should be practiced on all Wisconsin waterways:

  • Put your catch on ice and do not move live fish and unused bait minnows away from the landing or shore.
  • Drain all water from bilges, bait buckets, live wells and other containers when leaving the landing or shore.
  • Use live minnows purchased only from registered bait dealers in Wisconsin or catch it yourself in the same water you fish.
  • Clean plants and debris from your boat before leaving the landing.

To learn more about VHS, visit the DNR VHS homepage at http://dnr.wi.gov/fish/vhs/

Below are some PDF files pertaining to VHS:

Out-of-State Firewood Regulations

www.st-germain.com