Lunker Report

[Mat Hegy]

Excellent northern bite in the Eagle River area. Fish 15 feet of water or
less in and around the weeds. Use a large shiner under a tip-up, or a
jigging spoon. Mixed bag on size.

Walleye action is good in the Eagle River area. Fish break edges in 25 feet
of water or less. Use a medium shiner or walleye sucker under a tip-up, or a
Buckshot Rattle Spoon tipped with a fathead. Peak bite is at sunset, with a
mixed bag on size.

Crappie, bluegills and perch are all hanging together in the same general
spots in the Eagle River area. Fish 15 feet of water in and around the
weeds. Use a small jig, tipped with a waxie, spike or crappie minnow. Good
all around action.

[ssmitty80]

I have only caught walleye on tip-ups in years past. I see that you mention tip-ups as a preferred method.

Should I only be jigging for panfish?

I guess I always wanted to catch something bigger, but maybe NOW I know why I haven't.

[Mat Hegy]

I like to set tipups as a second and third line in the water. I am always jigging for something, panfish, walleye, or northern. A tipup is like a mouse trap you set it and it waits for the trap to be sprung. While the tipups wait I will move around in the area to see what I can catch jigging. normally if you want to catch something bigger Northerns are a great target, they are one of the most aggresive feeders in cold water. To catch bigger fish you have to rig for bigger fish, line, lures, rods. Walleye can be a lot of fun jigging I use 6lb mono on a med. rod. Lures like a Buckshot Rattle Spoon tipped with a Fathead minnow, or a Jigging Rapala with or without a Fathead Minnow day dependent. To catch Walleye you may need to change your time of day or location, in this area Walleye seem to be the most agressive at sunrise or sunset or just after sunset, but very dark days have been the time I do the best. Something to think about is to hire a guide, there are very good ice fishing guides in the area and you could learn allot in a day on the ice with one. I myself will often hire a guide when I go somewhere new so I can get the little tips and tricks that are working in that area, it has always cut my learning curve on a vacation. I hope this helps.
Good luck to all