Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report
Winter has finally decided to show up and in a big way, unfortunately it is going to create some concerns and difficulty with the upcoming ice fishing season. The recent warm weather has deteriorated the ice and now with the heavy dumping of snow the ice conditions are going to be unstable and sketchy at best. If you plan on heading out use extreme caution and don’t go alone.
Deer hunters saw a decrease in numbers this year with opening weekend numbers showing a 27% decline from last season. The DNR is attributing it to a late gun season but the rest of us know better and the low numbers are a result of a warm season opener with strong winds but mainly due to low animal numbers from predation by wolves, bears, and now mountain lions which have been reportedly seen in several areas across Wisconsin.
Deer hunters did however manage to take some nice bucks so far this season despite the low numbers. I personally took a beautiful 10 point buck on opening weekend that happened to follow a doe out onto a field.
The few brave souls that have been out ice fishing have been producing some very nice fish with good numbers of panfish, pike and walleyes. One local angler Randy Dombrowski along with his son Levi caught a very nice tiger musky. It was Levi’s first musky but I am sure it won’t be his last.
By the way if you are planning on doing some upcoming Christmas shopping Elk River Custom Rods is running some really great season ending close-outs on a variety of custom rods. Give them a call or check them out on their website at: www.elkrivercustomrods.com for more information. Also if you haven’t already done your end of the season winterization on your boat and motor there is still time to get in and see the great guys at Amherst Marine. Or if you are in the market for something new check out what they have for the upcoming 2020 season line-up of new pontoons, boats and motors, just give the a call at 715-824-5635 and ask for Jason or Jerry.
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Hooksetters Guide Service
Web www.hooksetters.biz
Phone: 715-693-5843