09-22-2004, 04:03 AM
Greater St. Germain Fishing Report
Up-to-date Northwoods fishing conditions
provided by local St. Germain area fishing guides.
Updated: September 19, 2004
-- Weekly Report compiled or written, edited, and distributed by Naomi K. Shapiro. Copyright © 2004, all rights reserved. Reports are general information only, and no liability is assumed for any information provided.
St. Germain, Wis. (VILAS/ONEIDA COUNTIES) -- as of 9-19-04
Fall fishing patterns emerging and action picking up as water cools in the St. Germain area.
Here's what area guides are reporting on behalf of the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce:
We're starting to see some classic fall fishing patterns emerging as our area lakes go through turnover, and water temperatures drop.
Walleye are locating deep over hardbottom areas -- such as on Big St. Germain Lake. Fish 20 to 35 feet, looking for mid-lake humps, reefs, rockpiles, ledges and drop-offs. Use a jig and redtail chub, which is the primo bait right now. Anglers are also reporting decent catches of walleye on the Rainbow Flowage, in and around the many heavy stump and wood fields.
Muskie action is picking up, with the muskie locating off of deeper weedlines and rock ledges. Best action is to try and avoid any lakes that are still in the midst of turnover, and hit those (deep or shallow) that are through with turnover and are clearing up. For the smaller lakes, use a bucktail or twitchbait. For the bigger, deeper lakes, use a crankbait or jerkbait. Anglers on both shallow and deeper lakes are also having very good success with suckers.
Northern are hitting fairly strong around the deeper weedlines on area lakes -- same general areas as some muskie, but anglers should remember that, generally, northern will be somewhat closer into the weedlines than the muskie, which hang further out. Use a good-sized northern chub, on a jig.
Smallies are way down deep right now -- and are in and among some of the deeper-running walleye -- going down to almost 40 feet on occasion. Find hardbottom areas with rocks and the like. Use a jig and a redtail chub for these smallies -- same as for the walleye.
Decent, if not spectacular panfish action on St. Germain area lakes, with the crappie hovering along the sides of cribs, suspending at varying depths up the cribsides, and higher (the most aggressive biting crappie are highest up on the water column). Use a minnow or a tube jig.
For perch, fish the bottom areas in weeds, at depths ranging from 8 to 15 feet. Use a worm or a waxie.
Bluegills will be at varying depths right in and among the weeds. Use a waxie or a garden worm.
Pickerel Lake and Found Lake have been particularly productive for panfish.
In addition to its wonderful fishing, St. Germain boasts all kinds of unique, fun, community events, festivals, and outdoor opportunities to go with its wonderful forest, many lakes, and trails -- plus a wonderful sense of community spirit to go with it.
Put the following St. Germain Events on your calendars and check with the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce for more events, festivals, food, and fun:
-- Sat., Sept. 25, 2004: Major event will be 45th Annual Colorama Weekend.
-- AND Taste of the Northwoods -- AND Heritage Fest (French Trader Days) -- AND large craft Fair, all in St. Germain.
-- Sat.-Sun., October 2-3, 2004: 16th Annual Greater Wisconsin Muskie Tournament in St. Germain. (Ten St. Germain area lakes are included in this annual catch-and-release tournament which draws huge crowds every year. Cash drawing, door prizes, food, and fun.
--Sat., Oct. 30, 2004: Annual Octobearfest at Black Bear Lodge in St. Germain. Cabin craft show, hay rides, pumpkin carving, chainsaw carving, German music, beer garden;; brat and hot dog sale to benefit Vilas County Historical Museum.
For more information:
*St. Germain Chamber of Commerce: 800-727-7203 or 715-477-2205.
e-mail: chamber@st-germain.com
Web: www.st-germain.com
*Fishing info: St. Germain Sport Marine (Tom Christensen), Del Zerbe, Jr., 715-479-4930.
The preceding was obtained at [url http://www.st-germain.com/fishing.htm]Fishing in St. Germain Wisconsin[/url]
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