Eagle Sports

09/03/2026

FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley
WEEK OF 8/30 TO 9/6

We’ve flipped the calendar into September, and the weather this week is giving us one more solid stretch of summer before fall really digs in. Any rain we get this week is welcome – we need it. We’ll see daytime temperatures with highs in the upper 70’s to mid-80’s, and nights dipping in to the mid-50’s. Good sleeping weather after an hot day on the water! Expect the landings to be busy with the long weekend crowd, so an early start or a weekday evening trip will get you a lot more elbow room.

Water temps have bounced back into the low-to-mid 70s on many lakes with this warm-up, after flirting with the upper 60s last week. This warm stretch may push fish back into a more classic summer pattern for a few days before the weekend cooldown resets things a bit. Don't be surprised if the bite shifts around some this week. The w**ds remain thick and green and are still the number one address in the county — work them patiently with w**dless rigs, slip bobbers, and careful casts.

Walleye are still setting up on deep w**d edges in the 10 to 15' range, with fish moving out to sharper breaks and 18 to 25' on the clearer lakes, especially once that midweek warm spell pushes them in that direction. Half crawlers and leeches on jigs or slip bobbers continue to produce, but with baitfish and crayfish active now, don't be afraid to work a jig-and-minnow or a small crankbait along the same breaks. Dawn and dusk remain your best windows, and that brief cooler, cloudier stretch midweek could turn on a better daytime bite than we've seen in a while.

Bass fishing stays the most reliable game in town. Largemouth are holding tight to heavy w**ds, wood, and shaded docks, with topwater still worth a look in that first hour of light before the sun gets high. Smallmouth are working rock humps, points, and scattered timber in 8 to 15', and they're feeding heavily on crayfish right now - natural browns, oranges, and greens on tubes, Ned rigs, and drop-shots dragged slow along bottom are a good bet.

Panfish action has been good. Crappie are schooling along w**d edges in 8 to 12', with small jigs tipped with plastics or fatheads doing good damage. Bluegill remain shallow around docks, wood and w**dy bays, and we’re seeing good action in the evenings on small jigs with a worm or waxie. The perch bite continues to be a real bright spot this year, with big fish buried in the cabbage right alongside the walleye — a jig and with a fathead or a bigger crawler chunk will get you those bigger fish.

Musky fishing is trending the right direction as we head toward fall, though with water temps moving back up this week, treat any fish you catch with extra care. Bucktails alongside and over the w**d edges remain a perfect choice, with the best action still coming in low-light and overcast windows. As things cool back down toward the weekend, look for this bite to improve.

Labor Day weekend will bring the last big push of summer traffic to the landings and lakes - especially the Chains - so plan around it if you can. Don't let the crowds keep you off the water, though! There's plenty of lake to go around, and there’s only so much of this summer weather left. Enjoy it while you can! Fall, and all of the great fishing that comes with it, will be here soon enough.

Good luck and good fishin'!

08/25/2026

FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley
WEEK OF 8/23 TO 8/30

Late August is settling in across the Northwoods, and that first real taste of fall weather is starting to show up around the edges of the day. Mornings have been cool, dipping into the 40’s and even the mid-to upper-30’s. We've got a better chance of rain moving through Tuesday and Wednesday, which is welcome. By the weekend, things look to be drying back out and warming slightly, so overall it's shaping up to be a comfortable, mixed-bag stretch of weather. The kids are starting to go back to school and the boat landings are noticeably quieter, which always makes for a nicer week on the water.

Water temperatures are now dipping into the upper 60’s on some lakes, especially on those cold mornings. The w**ds are still thick, green, and holding fish. That heavy cover continues to be the best all-around bet, but it takes some patience and the right technique to work it — w**dless rigs, slip bobbers, and careful edge fishing are still the way to go.

Walleye fishing has been a mixed bag lately — some boats are putting together nice numbers while others are working hard for a handful of fish. As usual this time of year, dawn and dusk are producing the most consistent action. Fish are holding along deep w**d edges in the 10 to 15’ range, with some working the sharper break lines down to 20 to 25 feet on the clearer, deeper lakes. Half crawlers on jigs and slip bobbers are getting bit, and leeches have been just as good, if not better, on some days. It's been a grind for a bit now, but the fish are there — when you find a pod, the bite can turn on fast.

Bass fishing continues to be the bright spot. Largemouth are tucked into heavy w**ds, downed timber, and shaded docks, and topwater baits are still drawing strikes in that first hour of light. Once the sun gets up, slower soft plastics worked through the cover keep the bite alive. Smallmouth are hanging in deeper structure — rock humps, mid-lake points, and scattered timber in 8 to 15 feet — and tubes, Ned rigs, and drop-shots dragged slowly along bottom are getting eaten.

Panfish are a great option to fall back on when the walleye get stubborn. Crappie are schooling up along w**d edges in 8 to 12 feet, and small jigs tipped with plastics or fatheads — those little mini-mites especially — are producing well. Bluegill are holding shallow around docks and w**dy bays, and are a great bet in the evenings. The perch bite has been especially good this year, with jumbo perch buried right in the thick cabbage alongside the walleye, and they're happy to hit a small jig tipped with a minnow or a piece of crawler.

Musky anglers are starting to see things trend in the right direction. Bucktails along the w**d edges and over w**ds have been getting the most love, with the usual low-light and overcast windows producing the best follows and eats. Don’t forget those figure-8’s at the boatside! This is the time of year that the musky fishing really starts to build, so it's worth being out there.

It was also tournament week around here, with the 40th Annual National Championship Musky Open running August 20-23. We saw over 1,100 participants, 184 muskies boated, and some nice size, too - 2 were registered at 48.5 inches from two different lakes. The overall winner was Brett Strasser of West Allis, with three fish totaling 117.5” and in the winner in the youth category was Laihr Worden of Waupaca, with a 35” fish.

As we roll toward September, the fish are starting to lean into their early fall patterns and we're hoping for some good cool, cloudy stretches in the weeks ahead - that's the kind of weather that turns on the giant muskies. The loons are getting restless and starting up their late-season calls, getting ready to head south - while the rest of us start looking forward to another great fall on the water. Get out and enjoy it! This is a fantastic time to be up north.

Good luck and good fishin'!

08/21/2026

Nice catch, young man!
Come on in and get your Ramit or Jamit - both are WEEDLESS! And we've even got some Whamits! Janie's Custom Tackle is a favorite around here.

CONGRATULATIONS
JOHN !!
This 12 year old Musky
Hunter caught this Beautiful fish on a RAMIT Weedless
Bucktail.
Thank you for using
Janie’s Custom Tackle


**dlessbaits

08/19/2026

Fishing With the Guides with George Langley
Week of 8/16 to 8/23

We're holding onto that break from the dog days, and it's shaping up to be a really pleasant stretch — highs mostly in the upper 70's to around 80, with overnight lows dipping into the low to mid 50's. They tell us we’re going to get some rain this week – but we’ve heard that story before, and we’ll have to wait and see. We really, really need it! Water temps are zigzagging in a downward trend but are still sitting mostly in mid-70's on the chain and upper 60's to mid-70's on the deeper northern lakes. That trend is exactly what we want to see this time of year — fish are shaking off the sluggishness of high summer and starting to spread back out and feed with a little more purpose.

Crappie are still mostly holding in deeper water off the w**d edges and structure, but with the cooler nights, keep an eye out for them moving shallower as evening comes on — we're hearing of fish showing up in as little as 3-4' right around dusk. Small jigs tipped with plastics like Mini Mites, small Beetle Spins or Charlie Bees are catching fish, and a plain minnow under a slip bobber is tough to beat if you've got kids in the boat. Perch are holding steady in that 5 to 15' cabbage, with leeches or a fatter minnow on a light jig getting the job done. Bluegill continue to work w**d edges, docks, and any submerged wood, and a small worm or waxie under a jig keeps the rods bending. It’s also a great time to try a fly for them, as they’re feeding on surface bugs in the evenings, too.

Walleye are still locked into that deep summer pattern — cabbage and w**d edges in 10 to 15', or out on the deeper flats in 15 to 25'. With water temps easing down, we're starting to see a few more fish creep up onto the tops of structure during the low-light hours, so it pays to fish that shallower stuff early and late before dropping down deep once the sun's up high. Leeches and half a crawler on a light jig, worked slowly through the w**d pockets, remains the most consistent producers.

Bass fishing has been a bright spot this season, and that continues. Smallmouth are camped out on mid-lake reefs, rock piles, and points in 8 to 15', and that early topwater window is still amazing — keep a walking bait, popper, or Whopper Plopper ready for early morning. Once the sun's up, move on to a Ned rig, drop shot, or wacky worm along the break lines. Largemouth are buried in the cabbage and slop, eating frogs, spiders, and buzzbaits in the low-light hours, with spinnerbaits and wacky worms picking up the slack through the middle of the day.

Northern are waking back up as the water cools. They've been pretty lethargic through the heat, but the cooler overnight temps are starting to push them back onto the deep w**d edges with a little more attitude. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are a solid bet.

The 40th Annual National Championship Musky Open runs Thursday through Sunday this week, with the bulk of the fishing action happening Friday through Sunday (although we’re already seeing anglers coming through as of this writing, who have been scouting the area.) It’s billed as the largest amateur musky tournament in the country, and it typically draws over a thousand anglers - so expect landings to be busy and boat traffic to be heavy, especially early in the morning. All fish are catch-and-release. Good luck to everyone competing!

Speaking of musky, we are trending in the right direction as the water continues to cool. It’s still rather warm for them, but we’re starting to see some bigger fish in the 40”+ range. Activity is picking up and follows are getting more committed. Bucktails worked over and along w**d edges continue get fish, and big rubber in the w**ds is producing now, too. Now's a good time to start easing into the classic fall pattern of working the deep w**d edges and drop-offs a little more seriously. Yes, it’s almost September! As always, treat these fish with care – it’s still warm for them, so keep them in the water as much as possible and let them recover well before release.

We're solidly into the back half of August now and if you ask us, this is when the fishing really starts to get good. The crowds thin out during the week, the mornings have a little bite to them, there are fewer mosquitos and flies – it’s just generally more pleasant out there. It seems, based on this season, we’re looking forward to some fantastic fall action, especially as far as the musky bite is concerned. Plus the color. Bring it on!

Good luck and good fishin'!

08/13/2026

When you guys come in and ask where Frank is - if it's before 9AM, this is it.
Frank started going to work early (7:30/8AM) about 5 days a week, as a puppy. That was 2.5 or so years ago. Over those 2.5 years he has demonstrated that he does not like early morning wake-up calls (only puts up with them when the choice is "home alone or work".) He is also not a fan of strenuous walks. He is a sniffer, not a walker.
Early this summer he ALSO picked up a job on the side as a foster brother for kittens, and he's been busy with his first charge for the last 2 months... so if any of you are looking for a kitten (about 4 months now), he's got one.
Anyhow, he'll be at work tomorrow. 11AM, promptly.

08/11/2026

Fishing With the Guides with George Langley
Week of 8/9 to 8/16

We're finally seeing a bit of a break from that stubborn summer heat, with highs settling into the mid to upper 70's and overnight lows dropping into the 50's - a welcome change for both anglers and fish. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms, some with gusty winds, will keep working through the area towards the end of the week. Water temps on the chain have eased down a couple degrees into the low to mid 70's, and the deeper northern lakes are trending into the upper 60's to low 70's. That cooler water is a good sign heading into the back half of summer - fish tend to spread out and feed a little more aggressively once we get past the real heat of summer.

Crappie are holding in that deeper water off the w**d edges, though as the water cools a touch, don't be surprised to see them creep shallower toward evening. We heard reports last week of folks catching them in 3-4’! Small jigs tipped with plastics - Mini Mites and small spinners like Beetle Spins - continue to produce, and a minnow under a slip bobber remains a solid choice if you want to keep it simple. Perch are staying consistent in the 5 to 15' cabbage, and leeches or bigger minnows on a light jig will keep you busy. If your hunting for the really big perch, look for the walleye. Bluegill are still working the w**d edges, docks, and submerged structure, and a small jig tipped with a worm or waxie has been doing the trick.

Walleye remain in that deep summer groove, sitting on cabbage and w**d edges in 10 to 15', or out over the deeper flats in 15 to 25'. With water temps coming down a bit, some fish may start creeping shallower during low-light hours, so it's worth working the tops of the structure early and late, then dropping deep once the sun gets up. Leeches and crawler halves on a light jig through the w**d pockets are still the go-to.

Bass fishing is holding ultra-strong. Smallmouth remain glued to mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in the 8 to 15' range, and topwater at first light is still money - keep those Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers handy. Once the sun climbs, switch to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms along the deeper edges. Largemouth continue to bury up in the w**ds, hitting spiders, frogs, buzz baits, and Hula Poppers early and late, with spinners and wacky worms filling in the midday gaps.

Northern should start perking up as the water cools. They are never very active in the summer heat, and the cooler nights we're expecting will help push them back onto the deeper w**d edges with a little more attitude. Keep watching for those pre-frontal windows ahead of the scattered storms - that's often when the bite really turns on. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits remain a good bet.

Musky action will continue to improve as the heat backs off. We're still seeing mostly smaller fish, but with cooler water on the way, expect more consistent follows and eats as the fish shake off the stress of the last several weeks. Bucktails worked over and along w**d edges remain the ticket.

It's hard to believe, but we're already well into the back half of summer up here. School supplies are in the stores, the boat landings won't be quite as crowded on weekdays, and the mornings are starting to carry just a hint of that early-fall crispness. It's some of the best fishing of the year once things settle into this pattern, so don't let the calendar fool you into thinking the season's winding down - if anything, it's just getting good.

Good luck and good fishin'!

08/04/2026

Fishing With the Guides with George Langley
Week of 8/2 to 8/9

We're holding onto that summer heat for another week, with highs generally in the upper 70's to low 80's and another round of scattered afternoon and evening thunderstorms working through over next weekend - some capable of gusty winds - so it’s always a good idea to have an eye on the sky if you're out on big water. Water temps on the chain remain in the mid to upper 70's, with the deeper lakes to the north sitting a touch cooler in the low to mid 70's, and even some upper 60’s. The smoke from the Canadian and northern Minnesota wildfires has eased up a lot compared to recent weeks, but patchy haze can still roll through on and off, so keep that in mind.

Crappie are staying put in that deeper water along the w**d edges, and the small jig and plastic combo - Mini Mites, Beetle Spins and similar– are working for them. If you prefer live bait, a small minnow under a float should do the trick. Perch fishing remains good, with these guys hanging in that 5 to 15' cabbage zone. Leeches or bigger minnows on a light jig will catch these guys. As always, if you're marking walleye, don't be surprised to find some big perch sharing the same water. Bluegill are content off the w**d edges and around submerged wood, docks and the like, and a small jig with worm or a waxie will keep the rods bent.

Walleye continue to sit in that deeper summer pattern, working the cabbage and w**d edges in 10 to 15', or out over the flats in 15 to 25' – basically, as deep as you can get. The deeper range is definitely a better bet mid-day in the sun. Leeches and half a crawler on a light jig fished through the w**d pockets should get bit, and it's still worth running the wind-blown edges where you’re likely to find fish stacked up.

Bass fishing remains outstanding across the board. Smallmouth are still glued to the mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in that 8 to 15' zone, and topwater at first light continues to be about as good as it gets - keep the Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers tied on. Once the sun is up, switching over to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms along the deeper edges of that same structure. Largemouth are buried in the w**ds and hammering spiders, frogs, buzz baits, and Hula Poppers in the early and late hours, with spinners and wacky worms picking up the slack through the middle of the day.

Northern are still a fair option around the deeper w**d edges, though they're not exactly thrilled with the warm water. With more unsettled weather in the forecast again this week, keep watching for those pre-frontal windows - the bite on northern often kicks into gear just ahead of a storm, and the cooler water that follows a good rain helps, too. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits remain good choices.

We’ve seen some smaller musky caught in the last week, and as the weather settles and cools this action will improve. Bucktails should be your best bet right now, and look for w**ds. These fish are still recovering from the heat we saw earlier, so treat them with the respect they deserve! Keep them in the water and let them recover before release.

It looks like it’s going to be a pretty nice week up here, and now that it’s officially August – well, we all know that this fact somehow speeds up time. Get out there and enjoy whatever time on the water and in the sun that you’re able!

Good luck and good fishin'!

07/28/2026

Fishing With the Guides with George Langley
Week of 7/26 to 8/2

We're headed back into a warmer stretch this week, with highs climbing into the mid-80's and a decent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms rolling through on several afternoons - some of which could be on the strong side, so keep an eye on the sky if you're out on open water. Water temps on the chain have crept back up into the upper 70's with the warmer air, and the bigger, deeper lakes to the north are holding in the mid-70's.

We're still seeing some patchy smoke drift through from the wildfires up in Canada and northern Minnesota, so the same advice from last week applies - if it looks hazy or you can smell it in the air, it's worth checking the air quality index if you have health concerns for yourself or anyone in your boat.

Crappie have slid back out to that deeper zone along the w**d edges with the warmer water, and small jigs and plastics like Mini Mites are getting it done. Perch continue to be a bright spot this summer, with good numbers and some big fish showing up in that 5 to15’ cabbage zone - minnows and leeches on a light jig remain the go-to. If you’re finding walleye, there are likely some big perch mixed in. Bluegill are holding steady off the w**d edges and around submerged wood, and a small jig tipped with worm or the same on a hook under a float will keep you busy all day.

We can expect the walleye to slide back down to some deeper water as things warm again this week. Look for fish working the cabbage and w**d edges in the 10 to 15’ range, or in 15-25’ range over flats, with the deeper end of both being the best options on sunny afternoons. Leeches or a half a crawler on a light jig fished through those w**d pockets should produce, and wind-blown edges are still worth a look for stacked-up fish.

Bass action remains excellent and shows no signs of slowing down. Smallmouth are locked in on the mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in that 8 to 15' range, and topwater in the early morning is still about as good as it gets - keep the Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers ready. A bit later in the morning, a switch to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky worms fished along the deeper edges of the same structure should keep you busy. Largemouth are still buried in the w**ds and eating spiders, frogs, buzz baits and Hula Poppers early and late in the day, with spinners and wacky worms catching these guys during the mid-day.

Northern remain a decent option around deeper w**d edges, although they aren’t fond of the heat. With more unsettled weather moving through this week, keep an eye out for those pre-frontal windows - the bite on northern often picks up right before a storm rolls in and the cool-down in water that the rain brings helps after the system passes. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are worth having tied on.

We continue to ask musky anglers to handle their fish with extra care as things warm back up. Keep them in the water as much as possible, support them upright and facing into any current to keep water moving through their gills, and give them the time they need before the release. This just isn’t the ideal weather for fishing for these guys.

With the heat and humidity building back up and a few rounds of storms in the forecast this week, mornings and evenings are still your best bet for both comfort and action. Keep half an eye on the radar during the afternoons, but don't let a passing storm cell keep you off the water longer than it has to - the bite often turns on right before and after a storm rolls through. Enjoy every moment out there now, as this fleeting season is moving fast!

Good luck and good fishin'!

07/21/2026

FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley
Week of 7/19 to 7/26

Well, the heat finally let up some and it's made for a noticeably more comfortable time on the water. It looks like this week brings us a mixed bag of some cooler temps and some fronts which (hopefully) will include rain, before we warm up into the 80’s again. Water temps on the chain are in the mid- to upper 70's range, which is typical for this time of year. The bigger, deeper lakes to the north are sitting in the low to mid-70’s.

Worth mentioning is that smoke that rolled in and turned our skies hazy and our sunrises and sunsets that deep orange color last week, which blew in from wildfires up in Canada and northern Minnesota. Some days it got bad enough up here that it was more than just a nuisance, especially if you've got asthma, a heart condition, or you're older or younger and a little more sensitive to that stuff. If you were out on the water and it felt like it was harder to catch your breath – especially after a long paddle or a hike to your spot - that wasn't your imagination. As of this writing, it’s not nearly as bad as the worst we got last week. Any rain we get will help – and more importantly, any rain they get up in Canada and northern Minnesota will help, too! Keep an eye on the sky - conditions here can change quickly, and if it looks hazy or smells smoky when you head out, it's not a bad idea to check the air quality index before you commit to a long day on the water, especially if you're fishing with kids or anyone who has breathing issues.

Crappie continue to hold on outside w**d edges, though with the slightly cooling water some fish will likely start creeping a touch shallower than they were last week. Small jigs and plastics are still the ticket. Perch have kept up their surprising run this summer - anglers are still finding good numbers, including some genuinely big ones, in that 6 to 10' w**dy zone. Minnows and leeches on a light jig continue to be money. Bluegill remain steady just off the w**d edges and around submerged wood, and a small jig tipped with a piece of worm will keep you busy all day if that's the game plan.

Walleye have been making their move with the change, also, and that's good news. We are still seeing some fish insanely deep, but with the cooling temps this week they will start working back up into the developing cabbage patches and w**d edges in that 8 to 14' range on most lakes. Leeches or a half a crawler on a light jig fished through those cabbage patches should work well, especially along any wind-blown edges where the bait tends to stack up. If you were fishing 25’+ last week, it's worth working your way back up onto the structure this week.

The bass bite hasn't slowed a bit, and they have provided some spectacular fun this last week. Smallmouth are still very much in their element on the mid-lake reefs, rocky points, and bars in that 8 to 15' range. Topwater at first light remains about as good as it gets this time of year - keep the Whopper Ploppers, walking baits, and poppers tied on for that first hour. Once the sun's up, switch over to Ned rigs, drop shots, and wacky rigs worked along the deeper edges of the same structure. Largemouth are still buried in the w**ds and responding to frogs, buzz baits, and Hula Poppers. If you fished the bass hard last week and had a good time, keep it up - there's no reason to expect that to change.

Northern remain a solid option, particularly around deeper w**d edges in cooler water. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are still getting hits. With slightly milder conditions and the chance of some passing weather later in the week, keep an eye out for those pre-frontal windows - northern activity often picks up right before a system rolls through.

We continue to encourage Musky anglers to fish with caution. These fish are still coming out of a stretch of intense warmth, so please continue to handle them with extra care. When you catch them, keep them in the water as much as possible, support them upright and facing into any current to get oxygenated water moving through their gills, and give them the time they need before letting them go. It may take 10 or 15 minutes for a musky to fully recover coming out of the heat we saw, and that patience matters – they will tell you when they’re ready as, they “kick off” of your had with their tail to swim away.

Overall, this looks to be a nicer week to be on the water than the last one - and the fish will likely agree. Mornings and evenings are still your best bet for comfort and action, but with the heat backing off you may find the bite holding up better through the middle of the day than it has been. Watch the sky for any afternoon storms later in the week and get out there and enjoy it. We’re over ½ way through this short season, and every minute out there is precious now!

Good luck and good fishin'!