It takes a snowmobile to get out to the long flat off Vincent Point south of Volk’s Point and north of Frying Pan shoal. Target the transition area where the bottom drops from 8 feet to 11 to 15 feet of water. Most of the fish run about 20 inches, but a wallhanger is a real possibility.

You can reach Cavins at (920) 246-2769. His e-mail address is rangerpat01@yahoo.com.

CISCO CHAIN
If your idea of a perfect winter outing is a snowmobile safari for walleyes, the Cisco Chain on the Upper Michigan-Wisconsin border is a must-do destination.

A snowmobile trail snakes throughout the entire chain, with specific walleye harvest regulations posted at access points along the way. A 15-inch minimum-size limit is in place on Wisconsin waters. A Michigan license is required if you plan on fishing on the north side of the border. Several of the smaller lakes on the Upper Peninsula side are definitely worth the investment.

Top day-bite walleye waters on the Wisconsin side of the line are 400-acre Mamie Lake, 800-acre Big Lake and 500-acre West Bay Lake. There is no public access on West Bay, other than the snowmobile trail, but you can sled after fish here from access at the public launch or from Bent’s Camp on Mamie or from the public access on Big Lake.

Weeds are a major key to fish location, according to local guide Bruce Becker, who likes to set tip-ups baited with shiners. Becker said chubs work better, but are more expensive. According to Becker, the best times to fish are from sunrise to about 10 a.m., and in the afternoon from 1 to 3 p.m. He can be contacted at (715) 360-6001.

WISCONSIN RIVER
The mighty Wisconsin has been called “the hardest-working river in America” because of all the power dams that slice these root-beer-hued waters into flowages.

Walleyes are found from the headwaters at Lac Vieux Desert clear down to confluence with the Mississippi River south of Prairie du Chien. A slot limit that went into effect several years ago on essentially the entire river that protects walleyes 20 to 28 inches long is making great strides toward returning the Wisconsin to its former grandeur as a walleye factory.

Petenwell Flowage is arguably the epicenter of walleye activity on this system, with the lion’s share of ‘eyes relating to woody cover near the old river channel essentially year ‘round.

Guide Dean Stoflet likes to target the ice of Barnum Bay on Petenwell’s east side, setting baits several feet off bottom along the 6- to 15-foot contour under stable weather conditions, and between 10 to 20 feet if fish are lethargic. Stoflet uses a single hook baited with a golden shiner most days, but he said there are times when small suckers work better. He can be contacted at (715) 572-5230.

Capt. Greg Karch believes the key to consistent success on Petenwell is mobility. He tows a portable shanty behind an ATV, moving every 10 minutes until active fish are found. Karch starts his hardwater patrol out from Petenwell Park in Monroe Center or Wilderness Park on the flowage’s west side at first ice, moving to the old roadbed out from Monroe Center as winter progresses.