There's good access at Heckler's Marina on the Yellow Birch and Watersmeet stretch of river, as well as good access throughout the Watersmeet area and throughout the chain.

The Eagle River flows through a network of 28 separate lakes from the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest through Oneida and Vilas counties in the northeastern part of the state.

For more information, contact the DNR at (715) 365-8919 or Rollie & Helen's Muskie Shop at (800) 453-5224.

FOX RIVER
The Fox is much better known for muskies than the Eagle River, especially the Lower Fox, stretching from Lake Winnebago to Green Bay. The last several years have seen a dramatic improvement in the fishing.

"The Fox River's spotted muskie population has been in the spotlight recently," said David Rowe, a fisheries biologist at the Green Bay Service Center. "In 1989, the DNR and local muskie clubs began stocking the Lower Fox and we've now got a growing population of fish measuring in the high 40s with a few 50-inchers available."

The Fox's fish grow fast because of a plentiful forage base of gizzard shad, emerald shiners and suckers. Catch rates during the DNR's electrofishing studies have doubled since 2005, Rowe said, with the average adult fish measuring more than 40 inches. In 2003, the minimum length limit was increased to 50 inches.

Pete Smith of The Sportsman has hunted Fox River muskies for a long time. He recommends visiting anglers look for current breaks and discharge pipes, especially the pipe near the Georgia-Pacific paper mill.

Muskies are scattered throughout the eight-mile stretch between the dam and the river mouth, a shipping channel that provides deep water and allows muskies to be anywhere.

The hotspots change from year to year and so do the baits, Smith said. Last year, University Bay was a great spot, just off the river mouth, but it was also the first time the area has produced numerous muskies. Grandma's was tops in 2007, but it's anyone's guess what muskies will want this fall.

Trolling is legal on the Fox allowing anglers to cover plenty of water and effectively find fish.

Access includes all Green Bay metropolitan boat ramps near the river mouth, the Fox Point boat launch in DePere and the Brown County Fairgrounds.

For additional information, contact the DNR's Green Bay Service Center at (920) 662-5480 or The Sportsman in Appleton at (920)734-3299.

BLACK RIVER
Scott Wyss of Hatfield Sports Shop in Hatfield gives the Black River thumbs up, especially the stretch between Highway 10 and the Black River Dam.

"A lot of legal-sized muskies all the way up to 50 inches are taken," he said. "The part of the river I'm the most familiar with is below the Hatfield Dam on a three-mile stretch to the power house. It's by far the top area for muskies."

The river is shallow with a rocky bottom and muskies are often found right above or down in the deep holes.

Habitat varies on the lower Black, according to fisheries biologist Jordan Weeks. Near Black River Falls the river bottom is shallow and rocky, while downstream near Hawk Island the substrate changes to sand. In October and November, the deep, slow pools are best and may be fished with typical muskie baits.