OCTOBER
Round Lake Muskies
This 3,054-acre Sawyer County lake holds the biggest muskies you’ll probably ever catch. Ironically, the easiest part of this adventure happens between hooking up and leading the fish to a cradle at boat side.

Because the lake is so clear, fishing improves as weather deteriorates. If it’s a good day to hunt bluebills out of a layout boat, conditions would also be ideal for tangling with a Round Lake muskie.

Trolling deep-diving crankbaits like the Depth Raider or Ernie off the second deep-water break is a good way to hook up between now and freeze-up. Don’t overlook humps and bars over the main lake basin . . . especially when there is a good chop on the water. For more information, call the Hayward Chamber of Commerce at (715) 634-8662 or visit www.haywardareachamber.com

Pewaukee Muskies
These southeastern Wisconsin toothers are familiar with the ways of muskie hunters, so downsize your presentation. Bucktails continue to work here long after conventional wisdom said it’s time to put them away. The Mepps Giant Killer with a purple tail is a personal favorite. This is where you want to be if the Packers are playing a night game.

Mississippi Backwater Crappies
Fish small plastic tube jigs or marabou or feather jigs 4 feet deep in at least 10 feet of water in fallen trees. White, pink, purple and black are the best colors. If you aren’t becoming snagged, you aren’t fishing where the fish are. Use 10- to 14-pound braided lines like PowerPro to minimize time spent re-tying.

The no-stretch properties help to feel light bites and the fish don’t seem to shy away from heavier line.

NOVEMBER
Lac Vieux Desert Muskies The non-resident Michigan license you purchased earlier this year to fish both sides of the Menominee River for smallies and walleyes is justified again in pursuit of muskies.

The classic presentation of throwing big wood while dragging a sucker behind the boat works quite well here, too.

Target water a long cast away from the main-lake points. Spend extra time probing deep water near the dam. The predator/prey relationship has strong bearing here as winter approaches. A prevailing wind beating up a given shoreline for several days will draw baitfish and muskies. You are the final link in this food chain. For more information, call the Land-O-Lakes Chamber of Commerce at (800) 236-3432.

Winnebago Walleyes Winter weather usually arrives around Thanksgiving, but before the big blow, Lake Winnebago’s walleyes strap on the feedbag for one last big hurrah. Try a 1/16-ounce black jig with black plastic on windblown points or troll small shad pattern cranks just offshore. Water clarity is a major key in fish location.

DECEMBER
St. Germain Panfish
Big Saint, Little Saint and Plum lakes all have tremendous populations of perch, crappies and bluegills.

Key on the outside weed edges, usually along an 8-foot contour in a run-and-gun approach until you hit fish of acceptable dimensions. These panfish tend to school by size. If you’re catching dinkies, move about 20 yards. Dark colors -- black, purple and green -- are all effective. Early in the month, the bite may last all day, but by Christmas, these fish are most active at dawn and dusk. For more information, call the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce at (800) 727-7203.

For more information, call the St. Germain Chamber of Commerce at (800) 727-7203.

Find more about Wisconsin fishing and hunting at: WisconsinSportsmanMag.comWisconsinSportsmanMag.com target=“_blank”>WisconsinSportsmanMag.comWisconsinSportsmanMag.com