Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early December

Greetings Everyone,

The open water fishing season has come to an end in Northern Wisconsin. A few of the larger lakes just froze up a couple of days ago as we had enough wind at night to keep them open, but one calm night and a touch below zero temps is all it took to lock them up. The open water fishing season was really good in Oneida and Vilas countries this year with a lot of really nice fish caught. 

Ice fishing has begun and the ice conditions are really good for early ice.  We've had some cold nights thus the lakes are making good ice quite quickly. Most lakes have 6"- 8" of good clear ice with virtually no snow cover.

For early ice Walleyes, the boys have been using Medium Golden Shiners and Walleye Suckers in and on the edges of weed cover. For Crappies and Panfish, Crappie Minnows and Waxworms have been the ticket so far this ice season. Crappies and Panfish have been relating to weed cover and wood.

Two of our younger staff members Tyler McMahon and Casey Strasburg have had good success so far in the early ice season. The boys have been putting out a spread of Tip Ups as well as jigging for some Walleyes. Our guide and staff member Al Frost went out with a friend on Sunday afternoon, They drove out with their 4-wheeler they had 6" or more of good clear ice. They were on a 100-acre lake and really just kind of enjoying the afternoon on the ice. They didn't have great fishing but had a great time enjoying God's creation. 

 We should continue to make good ice this week as there really isn't any snowfall predicted. If you get out to do some ice fishing, always be careful and take the necessary precautions.  We have a great selection of fresh live baits and quite a bit of ice fishing inventory. Please feel free to stop by or contact us with any questions you may have as we would love to be of service to you.

Good Fishing and God Bless, Jim Stewart