The main channel has been dredged several times and is featureless, so look for woody cover or breaks in the current -- anything that is different than the surrounding habitat.

When the Menominee is turbid with little visibility, noisy baits are called for. In-line spinners, topwater propellers and jointed baits made to clack and splash on the retrieve can be top producers.

For more information, contact the DNR at (715) 582-5050 or Pete's Sport Shop at (715) 582-3681.

PESHTIGO RIVER
An even better bet for tangling with river muskies is the Peshtigo River. Although it's not the Badger State's largest river, it's a relatively new fishery worth taking a look at.

After a problematic paper mill shutdown, the fishery began rebounding, especially the 14-mile lower stretch.

The first muskellunge was released in 2002, and within a few years, the Peshtigo became an overlooked fishery.

Upriver stockings began in 1974, and more than 10,000 large fingerling muskies have been released creating a thriving fishery.

We've only stocked Great Lakes muskellunge in the Caldron Dam area and as a result there are very good muskie populations in the Caldron and High Falls dams areas," Donofrio said. "Though fewer in number, there are good fish downstream and in the other flowages as well."

Don't be afraid to fish every nook and cranny that creates slack water. Any structure that breaks the current carries the distinct possibility of harboring a muskie. Riverine muskies prefer slack water behind laydowns, rocks and other cover. Weedbeds are generally scarce, so muskie hunters must change the traditional ways they fish and target other types of structure.

Late spring and fall are the best times to tag a big muskie here, said Donofrio. Typical muskie jerkbaits, crankbaits, in-line spinners and spoons will tempt these fish for some exciting action.

For more information, call the DNR in Marinette at (715) 582-5050.

EAGLE RIVER
Eagle River muskies are like Peshtigo's fish in that they are smaller than their lake counterparts, but they are very aggressive.

"During the fall, the lakes on the chain attract a lot of fish to the deeper waters, especially Catfish, Eagle and Cranberry lakes, as well as the river that connects the lakes," said Rick Hanson of Rollie & Helen's Muskie Shop in Minocqua. "I've fished the Watersmeet area and there are muskies in the stretch of river between Yellow Birch and Watersmeet lakes, the last of the chain. This is a popular stretch of river and some local anglers do well here. The Eagle and Wisconsin rivers and Rice Creek all meet in this area and the muskies are after suckers and perch."

Hanson said the river offers good numbers of muskies, as well as an occasional big one.

You'll be on these muskies wherever you find sticks, logs and prey fish; however, as the river approaches the city of Eagle River, shoreline access is very limited because of bordering property being fairly well built up.

Muskies generally don't become huge on the Eagle, but there's a good fishery, according to fisheries biologist John Kubisiak. Bucktails, jerkbaits and spinnerbaits all produce if you can find the fish.