Upper Midwest & Northwoods
FIELD REPORTS
FROM REAL TIME OUTSIDE.
Fishing, waterfowl, bow hunting, ice fishing and snowmobiling—what worked, what did not and what changing conditions taught us across every season.
7 reports
2026 Bow Season · WhitetailTen Minutes of Light and a Mature Stud BuckWarm weather gave way to cooler nights as prerut and the moon timing aligned. A trail-camera pattern, careful scouting and one last pass before dark ended with a long recovery through thickets and swamp.Prerut · 10 minutes to dark · long recoveryRead the full report →
Waterfowl Opening WeekendSlow Skies, Long Hours and Five Hard-Earned MallardsWarm early-season weather kept bird numbers and movement low, but a full day in the blind produced five mallards and plenty of opening-weekend memories.Warm weather · 12 hours · 5 mallardsRead the full report →
Pewaukee Lake Musky ReportFour Follows and a Picky Mid-October Musky BiteA 12-hour trip produced four pike, two bass and four musky follows. Mid-60s water, productive wind and orange-and-black blades defined the day.12 hours · mid-60s · 4 musky followsRead the full report →
Northwoods Turnover ReportFour Days, Six Lakes and a Tough Musky BiteTurnover was in full swing with water temperatures in the low 60s. Muskies were scattered between deep ledges, rocky points and the remaining shallow green cabbage.4 days · 6 lakes · 4 species · low 60sRead the full report →
Local Lake Bass ReportLess Pressure, Better Fishing in 12 FeetWith water near 80 degrees and vegetation beginning to change, the best 3- to 4-pound largemouth wanted shaky heads and wacky-rigged Blade Outdoors stickbaits worked slowly in 12 feet.80°F water · 12 feet · slow plasticsRead the full report →
Northwoods Musky ReportSeven Lakes, Deep Weed Edges and Aggressive Musky StrikesMuskies moved on all seven lakes. Smaller bucktails and spinnerbaits produced around healthy cabbage in eight feet or more with immediate access to deep water.7 lakes · 8+ feet · smaller presentationsRead the full report →
Early Fall Bass ReportFollow Healthy Weed Edges as Bass Leave Summer WaterCooling mornings are moving largemouth bass toward shallow flats, cover and the healthy weed edges that connect feeding water to depth.Largemouth bass · weed edges · topwaterRead the full report →Keep the adventure going
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