2004 Articles

Fishing with one of America's Finest! by Dennis Radloff

It's 12:10pm, Thanksgiving Day, and in the hustle and bustle of the smell of Turkey cooking, football on the television, and the union of family, friends and loved ones, I found myself, as I'm sure millions of others, drifting off in thought. As the sounds of the game, the conversations, and the aroma faded away I couldn't help but wonder, "What are our troops doing right now?" I kissed my wife on the cheek, asked what time we would be eating, and assured her I would be back in time to offer a blessing before we ate. As I sat down at the computer I paused and thought of what Thanksgiving Day must be like for the families here at home who have a loved one on the other side of the world. I... more

Getting Ready for Ice Fishing by Dale Helgeson

It's that time of year again. When you wake up in the morning and have to scrape your windows before you drive to work in the dark and you are lucky to see daylight when you get home from work. But there is one good thing about this time of year. It is going to start forming ice. After the ice starts it is time to break out the ice fishing gear. Before any ice fishing season you should go through all your equipment and test it at home before venturing out on any lake. This will save you many headaches and cold fingers out on the lake. First of all I check my ice fishing clothes and wash them before the season starts. I make sure my long underwear is in good condition as well as all my o... more

Northern Wisconsin Ice Fishing Angler's Get Ready! by Captain Marty Papke

There comes a time of the year when it's time to put away the boat and soon tackle a new adventure. Ice angling is and can be a very productive time for fishing and more and more every year angler's are becoming all season anglers! Many inland lakes of northern Wisconsin offer some great "early-ice" walleye's along with some great pan fishing and northern pike action. Let's look at a typical setup and how you to can catch early "ice-eye's." Examine the fishing locations you've just finished open-water fishing, as this can be key in finding fish through the ice also. Let's examine several early season methods and see how easy the results can be. Tip-ups and live-bait: if there... more

Rainbow Flowage Early Ice Walleye's by Captain Marty Papke

No doubt about when those nightly temps start dropping below the freezing mark in middle to late November Ice Anglers start getting that "itch" to catch some early Ice Eye's! The Rainbow Flowage located in Oneida County in between Lake Tomahawk/Minocqua and Rhinelander, Wisconsin. A little over 2000 acres of stained waters (due to the Wisconsin River's entrance from the north) this chunk of water generally varies in water levels because of the water variations needed through the Wisconsin River watershed or called the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company. This organization governs the water level on the Wisconsin River and all reservoirs up and down the great Wisconsin River system. ... more

Ten Ice Fishing Tips and Techniques by Steve Ryan

Everyone can stand to catch a few more panfish through the ice. However, ice anglers typically settle into a routine when they head out onto the ice. They catch several fish and then the action slows down or stops entirely. Maybe they change depths, colors, or holes a few times but that is about it. Once they stop catching fish based upon this routine, they quit and blame it on the fish - "they just stopped biting." Prior to muttering this phrase again, try the following tips and techniques. 1. Vertical to Horizontal. The style of one's ice jig is just as important as its color. Most anglers are accustomed to using a tear-dropped shaped jig that hangs vertically in the water, such as Jamm... more

Tip-Ups For More Fish by Bob Jensen

Just as there are a lot of ways to catch fish in the open water season, there are numerous ways to catch them through the ice. In open water or through the ice, many anglers like to get as many lines in the water as permitted, as this increases the chances for getting bit. In open water, many anglers will put a bobber rod or dead rod out while they throw a jig or crankbait from an anchored position. Putting a tip-up out while jigging through the ice is kind of like putting a bobber rod out in open water. The only difference is, instead of waiting for the bobber to go down, you're waiting for the flag to go up. Employing a tip-up is both effective and fun. Here's how you can take advantag... more

Fall Musky Progressions "Part 2" by Dennis Radloff

Well folks here we go... the last "hurrah" of the season. Only 30 days left before our musky season closes here in Wisconsin. For the most part things have been a little different this year in regard to the pattern back in September due to "summer" like conditions, so the patter discussed in the Part 1 segment didn't exactly thrive until water temperatures began to drop in early October. Once the water temperatures began dropping on a consistent basis in early October the fish that had been suspended all summer began returning to those deep weed edges and to the top of main lake structure. Around mid month the lakes in our area had turned over and it seemed we would be heading into a cla... more

Stripers After Dark by Steve Ryan

Ever cast a seven-inch lure into the night, hoping to hook a monster? Ever have the hair on the back of your neck stand straight up as an unseen fish throws water behind the lure? With each crank of the handle, the sound of erupting water intensifies. Ever have to repeat over and over in your head - don't slow down the retrieve; don't set the hook; don't slow down; don't set? As the weight of the fish settles on the lure, ever set the hook into a fish that feels more like a compact car stuck in fifth gear than a fish in the bass family? Ever doubt if one hundred pound test microfilament line will be sufficient, while being dragged across the deck of the boat by a fish of enormous proporti... more

Time To Re-Think Catch And Release by Bob Jensen

For a number of years, catch and release has been gaining popularity in the fishing world. With anglers becoming more efficient and successful, it became apparent, at least in some circles, that angling pressure could create a strain on some fish populations. In most waters catch and release is voluntary, in others catch and release is required for fish of some sizes. The voluntary catch and release concept has been successful to a point, but it is time to re-think which fish are being caught and released. First off, it is important to realize that there is nothing wrong with keeping a few fish. Fish are good to eat, and they are good for us according to people who know about health and d... more

Big Fish on Big Baits by Bob Jensen

If your goal in fishing is to catch one or several big fish, then autumn is the time to do so. And, if you're going to be chasing big fish in the fall, big baits are the way to go. You can catch lots of fish on small baits, but if you are going to target truly trophy fish, you need to use big baits. For the biggest walleyes or smallmouth bass, it is very difficult to beat a redtail chub on a Roach Rig. Big ‘eyes and smallmouth just don't say no to a redtail very often. Redtails can be difficult to locate in some areas of the Midwest, but they can usually be found somewhere. If you can't find redtails, suckers or shiners can be substituted. Our baits should be at least four inches long, ... more

Fall Walleyes by Dale Helgeson

It is that time of year again. The leaves are starting to turn colors, buck have lost their velvet and start marking their territories, geese start their migration south, and you guesses it the big walleyes are coming into to feed and get ready for winter. Fall is a magical time of year. There are so many outdoor opportunities available to us. Many people quit fishing for the pursuit of whitetails, ducks, and geese or even turkeys. But this may be one of the best times of year to land your big walleye of a lifetime. Springtime is probably the only better time to catch a trophy walleye but the fall will offer the opportunity everywhere, where as the spring you are primarily limited to the ... more

Rockin' Walleye by Steve Ryan

One of the easiest ways to catch late summer walleye is to fish mid-lake structure - in particular rock piles and reefs. Walleye relate to this structure from mid-summer to late fall. Reefs concentrate bait and provide land marks by which walleye navigate throughout the lake. The most difficult part of fishing rock piles and reefs is locating and marking them. LOCATING REEFS The number one source for information on a lake's bottom structure is a good contour map. If a contour map is available, get the map and study it. The best reefs are large and irregular in shape. The majority of their surface area should top out in 6-18 feet of water. While shallower and deeper rock structures wil... more

Catch Muskies Right Now! by Bob Jensen

Muskies will eat a lure at any time of the year. Numerous huge muskies are caught annually in the spring, often by walleye anglers using small, walleye-sized baits. However, if you want to up your odds for tangling with one of these toothy freshwater tigers, the period from mid-summer into late autumn can be the best time to do so. Here are some ideas for increasing your chances to catch one of the battlers. As a former musky guide, many years ago, bucktails and jerkbaits made up a big part of our musky arsenal. Those baits are still a major part of most musky anglers bags-of-tricks. Casting and trolling presentations work well for muskies. Trolling enables an angler to cover a lot o... more

Classic Bass by Steve Ryan

The sounds of classic topwater bass lures are ingrained in anglers' memories like songs from an old LP. The record spins at 33, 45, or 78 revolutions per minute depending upon the anglers' age. For those anglers who have retired these lures, the tune has faded. For those who have kept these lures in their play selection, their tune rings as true today as the first day they were released. These lures play a tune that bass find irresistible. Some of the original topwater plugs have long since gone out of production. Lure companies have come and gone. Their lures becoming a part of fishing history - now admired in display cases instead of in tackle boxes. Of these classic lures still ... more

Fall Musky Progressions "Part 1" by Dennis Radloff

It's here! That special time of year all of us musky diehards look forward to…the beginning of fall. "What makes fall so great compared to the rest of the season?" my wife asks with a puzzled look on her face. Maybe it's the decrease of boat traffic, or the cooler temperatures, or maybe the decrease of fishing pressure while more folks start deer hunting, or maybe it's just because this is the time of the season all the muskies in the lakes we fish are going to be hitting maximum weight for the season! Over the next three months I will outline the fall progression for muskies detailing location and presentation so hopefully you can get out there and get the big one. LOCATION September... more

Late Summer Walleye's on Little Bay de Noc! by Captain Marty Papke

Catching walleye is a full time business for us, although the "fishing" is always a bunch of fun sometimes the "catching" can be a challenge! Let's examine a method of jigging that tends to produce some fish for us all through the year. "Snap-jigging" is nothing new to the walleye fisherman out there but as many fishing techniques are always introduced and talked about we all are guilty of not always using them! This method of fishing does catch lots of fish when other methods fail. Two pieces of tackle to use consist of a 1/4 ounce jig like Northland's Round Head and several assorted sizes of Power Baits and the "new" Berkley "Gulp" artificials. Color choices and sticking with natur... more

Top Water Fishing by Roger Brown

Get ready for some "Top Water" action... First we'll tie on that favorite artificial (top water) bait, next, we'll make a cast into that great looking spot, and then as soon as the bait hits the water we'll make that first little twitch with the bait, and after that, what usually happens is wham!!! A bass comes over and nails it. Now, seeing this happen, especially with your heart pumping and the adrenaline flowing we find ourselves jerking our rod instantly, now what happens next? You got it… the bait usually comes flying in the air right back at you… does this sound about like you've been there before? Don't worry too much about it because it happens to the best of us from time to time.... more

Mid-Summer Smorgasbord by Bob Jensen

The summer months are a great time to try to catch a wide variety of fish. In fact, sometimes at this time of year it works better to just go fishing and see what you catch instead of targeting a specific species. If you want to catch a specific specie of fish, you will need to target them. However, if you just want to feel something pull back and don't care what type of fish it is that you catch, here are some ideas for doing so. A method that is favored by many anglers who are just looking for some action is trolling crankbaits. Crankbaits enable an angler to cover a large area quickly, and they come in a variety of sizes, colors, shapes, and running depths. When trolling crankbaits we ... more

Summer Drift Fishing by Dale Helgeson

It is early August and the sun is beating down as you head out to your favorite fishing hole. It is here the "Dog Days of Summer". Your mind begins to wonder as to which technique you should try today. Do you troll the weed edges with crawler harness or crank baits, cast rubber worms under piers, or bobber fish the weeds for pan fish. There are many options when it comes to fishing. Although it is the middle of summer and the water temperatures have climbed well into the 70's on most lakes and even pushing low 80's on other smaller lakes. What will trigger fish into biting? When the water temperatures climb I start to look for deeper water. On big lakes like Lake Geneva by my home you ca... more

When's the best time to go fishing? by Dennis Radloff

Through my travels in the fishing industry I have heard many questions far and broad pertaining to presentation, location, techniques, gear, electronics, boats, motors, and every thing in between. However, there is one question that seems to surface more than any with the greatest degree of intrigue. "When's the best time to go fishing?" Here's where books could be written to the end of time and still never cover every little detail when we start talkingfishing conditions. Every one has their favorites when it comes to water temperature, wind direction, air temperature, sunny, cloudy, rain, drizzle, snow, fog, mist, moon phase, barometric pressure, and more. One thing I have noticed, som... more

Crankin' Night Eyes by Captain Marty Papke

It's after the supper hour and you finish your meal, don't become a couch potato, as some of the most active fishing of the day will soon commence. Night-time walleye fishing is coming on strong. In many areas throughout the Midwest there are lakes that receive heavy fishing pressure. The waters we fish of both Little and Big Bay de Noc are excellent fisheries and combining a one-two punch of both day and nighttime fishing can up your fish catching potential greatly, let's examine a method of fishing we refer to as "our Ace-In-The-Hole" method! "Walleye's tend to be a schooling fish and many times will push large schools of baitfish into shallow water areas at which time ... more

Mid Summer Catfish by Bob Jensen

Catfish will bite year 'round, but lots of anglers wait until the heat of summer has set in before they start chasing whiskered fish. Here's how you can get in on some fast catfishing. In the Midwest, catfish inhabit a variety of waters. They can be found in lakes, ponds, and big and small rivers. There are several varieties of catfish, but for the most part, anglers in the Midwest chase channel cats. It is often thought that the stinkiest, grossest stuff you can find is good catfish bait, and that can be true. However, catfish will also readily feed on freshly killed minnows, and many walleye anglers frequently take cats on crankbaits or spinner harnesses. Catfish can be caught on... more

Trolling for Summer Walleyes by Dale Helgeson

It is getting into the heart of the summer season and the heat is warming up the water. What technique is best for finding and catching summer walleyes? Some people like to live bait rig structure with slip bobbers and live bait rigs but my number one technique is trolling. Trolling is the number one way to find and locate fish. If the fish are isolated to one piece of structure then live bait rigging can be your best tactic but if you are on a large body of water where the walleyes can roam for food or suspend over deep water then trolling will be the number one way to put them in your boat. The equipment that I use is Shakespeare's trolling combos with line counter reels, Red Caju... more

Crappie Basics by Dale Helgeson

I cast into a fallen tree along the shore of a small bay and out from under the brush a feel the line get limp. I set the hook and the fight begins. After a short struggle I land a nice crappie. Your line going slack is one of the characteristics of a standard crappie hit. What are some of the triggers for crappies movements and triggering bites? The biggest factors to crappie movements are water temperature, levels, clarity, and cold fronts. Let's start with the first one, water temperature. This is one of the biggest factors for crappie movements. From the research I have seen and personal experiences these are the basic temperatures that control crappie movements in area lakes a... more

Muskies, Walleyes, Smallmouth & Much More... by Eric Haataja

Now is the time! If you're looking to catch a big Musky, a limit of walleyes or just have fun catching smallies and largemouth all day! The fishing has been excellent thus far, and will only get better as the water temps warm up in the lakes. The Muskies and walleyes have spawned and the Largemouth and smallmouth are spawning in most other lakes. What to fish for? Many of our lakes in S.E. Wisconsin have decent Walleye populations. I usually try to fish the larger lakes like Geneva, Delavan, the Madison Chain, and Koshkonong. Most of our lakes will be in the lower 60's for water temps and now is when I like to start to troll cranks, or spinners. There are numerous ways to trol... more

Three-Ways For More Walleyes by Bob Jensen

When some anglers think of "three-ways for more walleyes", they might think "jigging, rigging, and crankbaiting" or something like that. And, although those are three good ways to catch walleyes, in this case we are talking about using three-way swivels on our line to catch more marble-eyed fish. Anglers don't often pay a lot of attention to the swivel being used in their rigging, but in this case, the swivel being used is a very important part of the equation. Most swivels are used mostly to prevent line-twist and have only two tie points. A three-way swivel has three tie points, and it is this feature that makes three-way swivels so effective in some walleye situations. Rig a three-w... more

Chase The Other Fish by Bob Jensen

Too many anglers consider themselves to be single-species anglers. Many, many times I've heard a person proclaim that they are a walleye-fisherman, or a bass-fisherman, or a cat-man, or whatever. If you enjoy specializing on one particular specie of fish that's fine, but you're missing out on a lot of other very good fishing opportunities. Anglers in some areas, or some areas of some states, miss out on some great fishing action if they limit themselves to one species of fish simply because of seasons. If you consider yourself to be a walleye angler and don't go fishing until walleye season opens, you're missing out on some excellent panfish and catfish action. Why not chase some crappi... more

Early Season Trolling Tactics by Dale Helgeson

The open water season is upon us here in Wisconsin. As you head out to your favorite lake you try to decide what will be the best way to find fish. Many people go to their favorite spots that have produced over the years but many people are going to try new waters. One of my favorite techniques for finding fish all year round is trolling. Trolling is a great search technique to find fish faster than casting or anchoring. It allows you to effectively cover large amounts of water and several areas within the water column. Early in the year some lakes the fish are just finishing up spawning. In this situation trolling may not be the most effective way to catch fish but it will help you find ... more

Live Bait Hooking Options - Which Way is Best? by Noel Vick

In simple mathematics, the sum is always greater than the parts. In fishing, a jig is just a jig and a minnow is just a minnow when they stand alone. However, if you put them together, they make a lethal combination for springtime walleyes across the Midwest. Like Puckett and Hrbek or Garnett and Cassell, it becomes a powerful 1-2 punch that leaves the opposition (in this case walleyes) fit to be fried. Jigs are an awesome way to fish. First of all, it's interactive. Without the angler to bring that piece of lead to life, it would seldom catch fish. The ways in which we can present jigs is limited only by our imagination. They can be cast to shallow water or fished vertically over de... more

Opening Day Muskies by Dennis Radloff

Finally! Our long winter slumber has ended and May 1st 2004 will mark the opener for all musky waters in the southern part of Wisconsin. All those long cold winter days filled with day-dreams about the next musky season are now faced with only one decision, where to start. Early season muskies as with any time of year are marked mainly by two common factors. Location and Presentation. While these may sound simple and basic in many ways, these are the key factors to finding success on the water. LOCATION How may time have you heard, "90 percent of the fish are in 10 percent of the water", and that "10 percent of the fishermen catch 90 percent of the fish" Based on those figures I'd ... more

Spring Fever by Steve Sams

After a long hard winter the sound of song birds and the sight of open water trigger walleye fever in most of us. This is the best time too fill the live well with undoubtedly the finest tasting fish the state has to offer. During the course of a season, situations occur that create peak angling opportunities, and are defined by intense action in easily identified areas. Unfortunately these periods are short lived, and by the time you hear about it they are over. The most productive time is at hand and involves the many river systems available. Rivers are everywhere, and most of them have a good population of fish. Most anglers live close to a river, therefore it is easy to get into a ... more

The Fine Details of Fishing by Eric Haataja

When someone starts a conversation about fishing I'm always ears, after all it's my favorite hobby and there is almost always something to be learned from a fellow angler. There is so much involved in this sport/hobby these days that a person can get overwhelmed very quickly. Every year we see new lures, new laws, new technology such as fish finders and gps units, maps, fishing equipment and many more things that are hard to keep up with. Among all of the changes I always like to go back to the basics and keep things simple, if at all possible. The fishing Log Of Information Whether you fish tournaments, fun fish, are a guide, or just starting off, a fishing log has been proven to... more

Early Ice Out Catfish by Eric Haataja

One of the best times to catch Channel Catfish is shortly after the ice leaves the lakes and rivers these fish inhabit. As the water begins to warm catfish will go in search of easy meals. Channel Catfish are great table fair and put up a sporty fight. However they remain by- passed by many anglers?? Each spring around this time I will take the time to fish for catfish, mainly just for the sport of it however there is nothing wrong with eating them. I love battling 10, 20 and even an occasional 30 lb catfish on my traditional steelhead, and bass rods. The action can be fast furious with both numbers of fish and big fish. If you've never experienced cat fishing I'd highly recommend givi... more

Shoreline Brown Trout! by Captain Marty Papke

It's not far away. Longer, sunny, warming days start that the ice melting. The ice flows are still bobbing and soon a movement of Brown Trout on an adventure seeking food to satisfy their big appetite after a winter of being in a transitional stage. Let's examine areas and foods along with techniques and bait choices that all early season fishermen can stretch their fishing lines and cure those fishing blues! What To Look For Once ice-out throughout the Great Lakes has begun, shoreline areas will soon start opening, now is the time to watching for those sunny days to getting out finding these shallow roaming Browns. Water temperatures warm fast near shore and when they warm to ... more

Spring River Walleye Techniques by Dale Helgeson

As you look at your breath flowing in the crisp morning air. You look out over the river and see the snow/frost on the trees as you back your boat into the water. Your bundled up like you are going ice fishing but the anticipation is overwhelming. It's that time again. A magical time of year considered by many as the best the whole year has to offer. The Spring Walleye Run is on. Every year the masses of walleyes head up river to prepare for the spawning season to produce more wonderful walleyes. The rivers become filled with boats in anticipation of catching some of these wonderful fish and hopefully catch that trophy of a lifetime. You have been preparing for this for months. Eve... more

Try Plastic For More Fish by Bob Jensen

Jigs are great for catching fish: Almost any fish will eat a jig. Tradition has most anglers tipping their jigs with minnows, leeches, or nightcrawlers, and for good reason. There aren't many fish that can resist a jig/live bait combo that is well presented. However, plastic baits are getting better and better all the time, and more and more anglers are finding that plastic tails on jigs can really fool the fish. The reason plastic baits are becoming so popular is that they allow an angler a lot of flexibility in lure presentation. Minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers only come in one color, but plastic minnows, leeches, and nightcrawlers are available in a variety of colors. Color options... more

End of the Season Ice-Fishing by Bob Jensen

This is the time of year when some ice-anglers start to wind down their ice-fishing. Although there is still lots of ice-fishing action remaining, for some reason, about this time of year, some anglers decide to hang the rods up for the season and start getting ready for open water. Those folks that continue to ice-fish can experience some really good action if they keep a few things in mind. Following are some of those things. Remember that the schools of fish have been picked apart. If you've been fishing a spot that has a lot of permanent houses on it, now is the time to start moving around. The anglers in those permanent houses have been catching and releasing or catching and keepin... more

Lake Michigan Smallmouth Bass Population Assessment Project by Bill Schultz

As those of you who've read some of my other articles know, I love fishing for smallmouth bass. The Milwaukee River is one of the rivers I've fished quite a few times over the years, and I spend a number of days each spring and summer in Door County. I've always hoped that the smallmouth bass population would grow in the Lake Michigan waters off southeast Wisconsin. That's why I was excited to learn that Tom Burzynski, Fisheries Management Technician with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, was leading a project to gather biological information on smallmouth bass in the estuaries and harbors of Lake Michigan, from Kenosha to Sheboygan. The project is the Lake Michigan Smallm... more

Steelhead 101 by Eric Haataja

If you're tired of cabin fever, and enjoy the thrill of big acrobatic line peeling fish, consider a day of steel heading on a Southern Wisconsin Tributary, such as the Milwaukee, Root, or Menomonee rivers. Starting as early (now) late February when the rivers can start to open up and lasting threw late April is when you'll catch me fishing for steelhead. Each spring and fall steelhead or rainbow trout migrate up tributaries. In the spring the fish are gearing up for spawning, and in fall they will return to the rivers and follow the Chinook, Coho, and Brown Trout to feed on there eggs. These fish can be fairly easy to catch in both spring and fall, and the fish generally will weigh f... more

A Brief History of the Great Boarder War - Chap. 3.2 by Jay C. Lorenz

Of the entire world's conflicts, perhaps the most misunderstood is the ongoing battle that we know too well as The Great Border War. In an effort to promote world peace, and because I am apparently short of entertainment, I have conducted considerable research into this chasm and as an amateur historian I feel compelled to offer up the benefit of my findings for all. Some of you may wonder "why should I care about the analysis of an AMATEUR?" and I appreciate this question. I was once a professional, with a thriving history shop in Tupelo, Mississippi. Unfortunately, the recession of 1981, coupled with a regrettable scandal over the correct spelling of Czechoslovakia, left me destitute ... more

Browns & Bows Though the Ice by Eric Haataja

If you've never experienced the thrill of catching browns or rainbow trout threw the ice, now is the time. These fish are found in almost all of the Lake Michigan Harbors, and also up in many of the rivers. Browns and Rainbows are some of the best fighting fish you'll ever catch threw the ice. SAFETY Before I go into how, where, why, and what to use I want to speak of what I feel is most important when ice fishing. Safety, it's always better to be safe than sorry, especially on rivers or harbors where there is constant current and ice shifting. Many harbors have air orators or sewers that dump into them, though they can be fish magnets they can also be a bad idea to fish too c... more

Mid-Winter Perch by Bob Jensen

This is the time of year, in many areas of the Midwest, when fishing slows down for some folks. In fact, many anglers believe that the best ice-fishing of the year is under first ice and that the rest of the season just isn't very good. While it is true that early ice can be very productive, if you hang up the ice-rods and auger now, you're missing some great action, and much of the time that action will be provided by hungry perch looking for something to eat. Following are some ideas for putting a few perch on the ice right now. In the past few years I've been in on some really good perch bites with some of the best ice-anglers in the world. Every now and then even the best ice-angler... more

A Brief History of the Great Boarder War - Chap. 3.1 by Jay C. Lorenz

Of the entire world's conflicts, perhaps the most misunderstood is the ongoing battle that we know too well as The Great Border War. In an effort to promote world peace, and because I am apparently short of entertainment, I have conducted considerable research into this chasm and as an amateur historian I feel compelled to offer up the benefit of my findings for all. Some of you may wonder "why should I care about the analysis of an AMATEUR?" and I appreciate this question. I was once a professional, with a thriving history shop in Tupelo, Mississippi. Unfortunately, the recession of 1981, coupled with a regrettable scandal over the correct spelling of Czechoslovakia, left me destitute ... more

Early Ice 'Eyes by Bob Jensen

Walleyes can be pretty easy to catch, much of the time, as soon as there is safe ice. In many bodies of water, the fish haven't seen much fishing pressure since Labor Day, so they're willing to bite. The numbers of baitfish are low now because many of them have been eaten throughout the summer and fall, and the remaining ones are, in most cases, too big for the walleyes to feed on. This also makes the walleyes more willing to bite your bait. And, just because it's cold on top of the ice doesn't mean the walleyes aren't hungry. They are. Put a bait in front of them and they'll probably eat it. Here's where and how you can catch walleyes as soon as there is ice on the surface. Remember t... more

Ice Fishing Feeding Frenzy by Fishing The Wild Side

Written By Doug Newhoff Fish have a brain about the size of a pea. They have a stomach that's roughly 20 times that large. Fortunately for those of us who love to fish through the ice, one feeds the other. While a crappie or perch isn't capable of figuring out where to find a meal when the pickings get slim in the middle of a Midwestern winter, sustenance is survival, and instinct drives those fish to feed. In the aquatic world, that means reacting to visual, audio and olfactory (sense of smell) stimulation. Most anglers have brains about 1,000 times larger than fish, yet we aren't that much different when it comes to satisfying our appetites. We've been known to rush into re... more

Ice Fishing: The Future is Now by rick jelak

Imagine if you can, walking half way across frozen Okauchee Lake armed with a $2.00 kid's sled, a plastic pal, and a heavy inefficient piece of twisted metal the manufacturer had the nerve to can an auger. It gets worse, after arriving at the "spot" and reaching total exhaustion in the hopes of hitting water while drilling, you wonder: How deep am I? What is the structure? Am I on fish? And most important, are they active? While this scenario may sound like ancient history, I lived it . In fact it was my first ice fishing experience back in 1971. Armed with a jig pole with the sensitivity of a broomstick and while wearing all the clothes I owned I did the best I could with what little I... more