First Ice Walleyes in the Deep Sand Grass
by Tom Dietz The dark, gray clouds moving in from the west covered the setting sun, and heavy snow looked like it was imminent. My close friend and fishing partner Tom Keenan and I were drilling holes on a lake…Read More
Jigging Up Hard Water ‘Eyes
by Rob Manthei Winter is almost around the corner, and with the lakes starting to harden up, one can’t help but think about ice fishing. I love my open water fishing (mostly muskies), but I do enjoy ice fishing, specifically…Read More
Salad Bowl Walleyes
by John Peterson with Noel Vick There’s a place where the water’s dark and cool even while surface temperatures seethe. Forage abounds and the oxygen’s thicker than a rain forest canopy. Cover’s plentiful too, and it’s surprisingly peaceful below despite…Read More
The Preservation of Life
by John Peterson with Noel Vick The popular rock band U2 dared to write and perform a song titled, “Even Better than the Real Thing.” Obviously, Bono – the quartet’s eclectic front-man – intended the ditty for some drop-dead gorgeous…Read More
When the Predators Return…
by John Peterson with Noel Vick Boats crisscrossed it all summer long; personal watercraft here, tuber there. Weeds uprooted and shredded, fouling the surface like bees in a beverage. These disorderly but auspicious shoreline flats are playgrounds for people, and…Read More
Using Water Conditions to Narrow Your Search
by Dan Craven Water conditions are directly affected by our weather (short term) and climate (long term). We frequently take water conditions for granted; more so than presentation, boat control or location of the fish. There are certain times of…Read More
None Too Big
by Scott Bonnema It impacted the water with more of a detonation than a splash. Once the mushroom cloud settled, I began cranking. The lure’s mass constricted the line like a tightrope. The pole bowed. No black bass could consume…Read More
Spicing Up For Autumn Appetites
by John Peterson with Noel Vick In its simplest form, the hamburger is a slab of ground beef sandwiched between two buns – genuine Americana, but boring. Same can be said for the jig. It’s a formed hunk of lead…Read More
Refined Live Bait Tactics
by Steve Herbeck, Andy Myers Lodge I could only hope as we slid up to the island point. I had played cat and mouse with a huge fish for several days but all she would do is chase artificials. It…Read More