JULY
The Sport Of Kings
Pound for pound, a chinook salmon will outfight any fish swimming in Wisconsin waters. By midsummer, these fish are generally within seven miles of the Lake Michigan shoreline actively pursuing schools of baitfish during periods of low light.

Sheboygan and Racine are the two best ports for chasing kings with dodger/fly combinations, J-Plugs and magnum spoons, especially with black or purple prism baits in a trolling presentation.

Chinook fishing can be described as periods of boredom punctuated with flurries of extreme chaos. Try it once and you may become hooked for life. For more information, visit Cap’n Rich Gorske online at www.fishmeister.com

Eau Claire Lakes Muskies
Upper and Middle Eau Claire lakes in Bayfield County give new meaning to the term “gin clear.” Muskies grow to gargantuan proportions on a heavy cisco forage base. The nighttime is the right time, either motor trolling with baits right in the boat wake or pitching noisy surface lures over steep breaks. This is trophy muskie water.

Red Cedar Lake Largemouths
The weedline is as highly developed as the shoreline of this near-northcountry lake near Rice Lake. Let a green pumpkin pepper Chompers skirted hula grub free-fall along the outside weed edges or burn a Mann’s Baby One Minus over top of submergent weeds for huge bucketmouths. This lake has big smallmouths, too.

AUGUST
Big ‘Eyes Atop The Thumb
Offshore reefs around Sister Bay and Ephraim in northern Door County hold some incredibly large walleyes this time of year. Use Troll Husky Jerk Rapalas, magnum Bomber Long A’s or Rattlin’ Rogues pulled behind planer boards off Chambers and the Strawberry Islands.

Vary the distance lures trail behind the boards until you get a pattern dialed in, usually somewhere between 30 and 70 feet back.

Charts and electronics are major keys to success. Trolling speed can be critical. Fish often relate to baitfish schools more than structure, so be prepared to hit the “fish” icon on your GPS each time you hook up . . . then simply replicate the trolling pattern by connecting the dots.

This is big water. You’ll need to bring a big, deep boat and a substantial amount of respect for Mother Nature. For more information, call the Door County Chamber of Commerce at (920) 743-4456.

Mississippi River Smallmouths
Old Man River is typically at low pool levels in August, congregating both smallmouth bass and big northern pike into deep holes carved out by the current around the wing dams.

This is primarily a crankbait bite, but throw a DC-8 Timber Tiger or Bomber B in bluegill pattern. Also, keep a Mepps white dot Black Fury handy for schooling white bass on the surface. For more information, contact Ted Peck’s Guide Service by e-mail at tedpeck@acegroup.cc.

Coulee Trout
After a month or so with noses tucked into spring holes, trout in western Wisconsin’s Coulee Country come alive to the point of being absolute fools for grasshoppers. You don’t need an Orvis split bamboo rod, Hardy reel and tiny Trico fly to find success, but you do need an inland trout stamp. And don’t forget the insect repellent.

SEPTEMBER
Sturgeon At The Dells
With a 70-inch minimum size, one fish per year limit in place, lake sturgeon which swim in our namesake river have adequate protection, although most anglers with a conscience have trouble killing a fish that may be 100 years old.

Best action is found at the leading edge of deeper river holes after dark. Spread a line baited with night crawlers held close to the bottom with a 1- or 2-ounce pyramid sinker above a swivel and 30-inch monofilament leader.

For more information, call River’s Edge Resort at (608) 254-6494 or visit www.riversedgeresort.com

Lake Namekagon Muskies
Come late September, muskies really turn on in this shallow Bayfield County lake. Try obnoxious fluorescent buzzbaits and smaller jerkbaits now, and then as the weather cools, pitch some big wood while dragging meat.

Use a quick strike rig and set the hook quickly. They look like bright orange wood with black spots.

Menominee River Smallmouths
Many Wisconsin anglers overlook this boundary river with Michigan whose stained waters teem with bronzebacks, many approaching trophy dimensions.

Crawfish patterns seem to work best, especially a No. 5 Mepps orange dot Black Fury spinner. The Menominee is an exceptional float-fishing stream with great primitive camping opportunities at streamside.