Although muskies are predictably unpredictable, the dog days of August are a strong influence on fish behavior. This isn't really a "big-fish" time of year. But if you are of the opinion that you would rather not catch big muskies than not catch little muskies, Cranberry, Catfish and Eagle lakes are your best bet between now and the arrival of cooler weather in mid-September. All three of these lakes are also big enough for muskies to cruise out over deeper water and suspend during the warmer months. There are several sand humps in Catfish Lake that epitomize the kind of offshore cover some fish seek out to escape both boat traffic and summer's heat.

Lures like the Depth Raider and Ernie work well for these suspended midlake fish, especially perch-pattern baits with white bellies. A personal favorite is a big red head/white body Ernie that bears the toothmarks of several summer fish from the Eagle River Chain and Watersmeet Lake, which lies just west of the chain.

Therein lies the difference between some guy in a flannel shirt wearing a knife and a bona fide northwoods muskie guide. Book George Langley with the understanding that a confrontation with a large fish holds the potential for a considerable tip and you may find yourself rocketing west in George's maroon Tahoe on Highway 70 -- with an 18-foot green Ranger in tow.

Watersmeet sees considerably less boat traffic than lakes in the Eagle River Chain, which is something worth considering if you're on the water on a summer weekend. Part of this is because it is just off the beaten path. Another reason is the presence of stumpfields throughout the lake that will quickly find a poseur guide's lower unit.

Langley knows that these stumpfields can be muskie magnets. There are times -- even during summer's heat -- when muskies will relate to exceptionally shallow water. This is one reason why Langley always likes to see at least one of his clients throwing a topwater lure. More often than not, this will be an orange Tallywacker when fishing flowage waters. A bucktail is the other weapon Langley likes to start with on Watersmeet, probably an orange-bladed Rizzo Wiz. If the bucktail doesn't produce, this guide will have a 6-inch Jake in perch pattern ready to go, easing toward the weedline on the old riverbed that snakes through the lake.

One reason Watersmeet has such a reputation for giving up muskies is the variety of influences caused by the confluence of the Eagle and Wisconsin rivers, and both Mud and Rice creeks that enter the system here. Weeds are a major key when fishing any of these tributaries, with good weedbeds found at the mouths of both the Wisconsin River and Rice Creek. A fish hooked up in this exceptionally shallow water will either plow back into heavier cover or leave the water like a missile.

Besides holding the potential for fish in excess of 35 pounds, Watersmeet Lake is the home of the Eagle River Inn, another of this area's outstanding dining establishments. A chance for a multiple-muskie day is not the sole reason for wetting a line on Eagle Lake in the heart of the chain. Eagle Waters Supper Club is on this lake, offering what may be the best fish fry in the entire Midwest.