Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report 11-8 12
Fishing for walleyes and muskies has been very good this past week but most eyes are now focused on the upcoming 2012 gun season. In addition to the upcoming gun deer season many archery hunters are still in the woods looking for that elusive big buck.
 |
 |
 |
| Kevin Munson with a nice musky | Curt Schwarzkopf with a nice walleye | Dennis Hintz with a nice musky |
For you guys that are still on the water the walleyes have been very active in 10 to 14 feet of water. Most of the action is coming on lead-head jigs in 1/8th and 1/4 ounce tipped with fathead minnows. For the best action we are slowly dragging or slightly hopping our jigs right on the bottom as we drift through these deeper areas.
Even though the water temperatures have dropped into the mid 30 degree range the musky action has been very consistent. Most of our action is now coming on live suckers set up on quick set rigs. When I utilize quick set rigs I usually run them suspended below a slip-bobber run anywhere from 4 to 8 feet down. I may also run one line with a quick set rig to free flow with no bobber at all. This one is set out 40 to 50 feet behind the boat and the sucker is free to go wherever it wants. More times than not this is the one that gets hit. In addition to the live suckers we are still catching a few nice fish on Suicks and Bulldawgs worked very slowly keeping close contact with the bottom.
 |
 |
| Christie Munson with her "first" musky. | Kevin Munson with a nice musky |
For you archery hunters this is the last week of the season before than 2012 gun deer season starts. The rut is going strong and we have been seeing a lot of very nice deer. We are still seeing some does with fawns but we are also seeing quite a few locked up with bucks. What this means is that the breading season has just started and should go on right into the upcoming gun deer season. One thing that hunters can do to be successful during the remaining archery season is to target funnel or neck down areas between bedding and feeding grounds. These are prime locations for bucks to lay in wait as does move back and forth from one place to another. Set up a stand in a good concealed position always remembering to play the wind and you may get lucky and bag the largest buck of your life.
 |
 |
| John Couillard with his 2012 archery buck taken on "public land". | Kevin Munson with a nice pike |
Good Luck and have a safe week,
Phil Schweik
Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide
Hooksetters Guide Service www.hooksetters.biz
Ruttnut Guide Service www.ruttnut.com
Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots www.foodplotting.com