April 8, 2002 News Release - Wisconsin Northwoods Fishing

Wisconsin Northwoods Fishing - News Release

For Immediate Release

April 8, 2002

For more information contact Jim Elliott, Kinzie & Green 715-845-4251;

WISCONSIN NORTHWOODS FISHING WELCOMES NOVICES

One doesn't need to be an expert angler to be successful at Wisconsin Northwoods Fishing. Help is readily available from a number of sources eager to share the tremendous bounty of fish in Vilas, Oneida and Price Counties, and the Lac du Flambeau Indian Reservation.

Together, this region comprises 2,900 inland lakes with a total water surface of more than 195,000 acres. That much natural fishing habitat might seem bewildering to a novice, or someone who wants to try fishing, but potential visitors should not feel intimidated in any way.

"If you just walk into any bait shop, they're always real helpful," said Kathy Reinhard of Price County Tourism. She's one of 22 members of the Lac du Flambeau Governor's Area Promotion Committee, which is promoting fishing in Vilas, Price and Oneida counties as well as the Lac du Flambeau Reservation. The committee is supported by members' organizations and a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Tourism.

Fishing schools

Fishing "schools" are available throughout the region through local guide services. Often, these services are also provided for people staying at a fishing resort.

"The first thing we do on check-in day is provide fishing information," said Mark Hiller, a third-generation owner of Hiller's Pine Haven in St. Germain (Vilas County). Most northwoods fishing resorts rent by the week during prime fishing periods, and early in the week many of them bring in local guides to provide in-depth details on current fishing conditions.

"We'll tell them what the lake temperatures and conditions are, where the fish are and what they're biting on. These updates are free to any guest. A lot of resorts are doing this," Hiller said.

Lakefront resort accommodations usually include a basic fishing boat; upgrades and other equipment are available at numerous boat dealers and at the many helpful bait and sport shops throughout Wisconsin's Northwoods. Veteran guide Tommy Zinda of Tommy's Fishing Adventures in Minocqua (Oneida County) operates such a shop.

Guides for $150-225

"When they come into our shop, we try to help them get the right gear for the kind of fishing they're looking for. Sometimes people call before coming, and we'll try to line them up on the right water and tailor-make their vacation," Zinda said. If they want a guide, he refers them to one of 22 guides who charge $225 for an eight-hour day, or $150 for a half-day. Most guides clean any fish caught; some also cook and serve them during a mid-day shore lunch.

"I've been a guide for 30 years, but whenever I fish in a different area of the country I always hire a guide right away," he said. The Wisconsin Northwoods has thousands of lakes to choose from, and even adjoining lakes can have completely different fishing conditions, so it's not unusual for guides to lead visitors to three or four lakes in a day to find the best fishing. According to Hiller, most visitors nowadays want to catch lots of fish rather than concentrate on a particular species. However, some guides do specialize in muskies, so a visitor should make it clear if that's all their interested in.

Catching a muskie weighing upwards of 30 pounds is one of the most memorable experiences in fishing. Unfortunately, it can take hours of fishing to get one good muskie opportunity. Most anglers aren't that patient, so guides will often suggest alternatives to assure that they catch some fish.

"Catch and release" grows

"Muskies are still a mysterious draw, but most people just want to catch some fish they can take home for dinner," Hiller said. "However, there is also a growing trend toward catch and release. People want to conserve the resource and don't necessarily want to clean and cook fish."

Largemouth and smallmouth bass, known more for their fight than their taste, are popular for catch and release. While Wisconsin's fishing season opens May 4 for all species except muskies (May 25 in the Northwoods), bass are only available on a catch and release basis until June 15. From then on, you can keep the bass you catch until March 1, when the season ends. A Wisconsin or Lac du Flambeau Reservation fishing license is valid on all Wisconsin lakes.

To find out more about Wisconsin Northwoods Fishing, visit northwoodsfishing.com.