CHANGING CONDITIONS CALL FOR CHANGING TACTICS

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Any readers of this publication who have been coming to the Eagle River area for more than a few years have probably noticed that drought conditions have been present in the Northwoods for some time. We do have wet years and we have dry years and those normal year to year variations in precipitation don't ordinarily pose problems for anglers. However, the long-term lack of normal precipitation in Wisconsin's Northwoods is causing changes in our rivers, lakes and streams and these long-term changes are beginning to have a real effect on water access and angler success on some of our lakes. Here are a few tips that might help you avoid some drought-induced problems and possibly enhance your fishing success while fishing in the Eagle River area.

Access to Lakes, Rivers and Streams
Water levels on many bodies of water in the area have fallen dramatically. When water levels drop the characteristics of the boat launch can make launching a boat difficult and sometimes even dangerous. A one foot drop in the surface level of a lake could mean the water line at the launch ramp may have receded by as much as 15 or 20 feet. Most of the public launch ramps in the Eagle River area have been constructed of concrete pads that extend out into the lake to allow a stable hard surface from which to launch a boat. These concrete pads are laid down with the intent of being used under the range of normal water levels for that body of water. The drought conditions have pushed conditions on many lakes well beyond the normal range. What can happen when launching from ramps such as those just described is that you run out of concrete pads before the boat being launched is fully afloat. At the end of the concrete pads there is often a sharp drop of several inches to a foot or more. When the wheels on the trailer roll off of the concrete pads the trailer drops and usually the boat then has enough water under it to float. Here's where the problem may occur. Many trailers have a "V" shaped cross member which is located just forward of the trailer axle. If the "V" on the trailer's cross member is deep enough it may make contact with the deepest edge of the concrete pad as you attempt to pull the trailer out of the water. Now there is the problem of how to get the boat out of the water if you are able to free the trailer without damage to it or the towing vehicle. Other hazards at launch ramps during these periods of low water are sandbars created by outwash from boat engines during power loading. You may be able to launch the boat at the ramp but it might require some effort to get around the sand bar once the boat is in the water. Rocks the size of a softball may be seen scattered on the bottom near boat launches. Be sure to elevate the lower unit of your motor to avoid propeller contact with the rocks. Those small ones will ding up a prop just as bad as a large one will.

On The Water
Once you have cleared the launch area you'll find that you can see more of the shoreline beneath shoreline vegetation than in past visits. Any underwater structure, such as rocks, bars, fish cribs and stumps will be closer to the surface than ever before so exercise caution while moving about the lake. The voice of experience is speaking on this point. A couple of years ago I managed to put my propeller and shaft in contact with a rock bar on a lake I have guided on for over 20 years because I wasn't paying close enough attention. That lesson cost me over $900.

More than likely any weed beds will beds will be somewhat different in location and size during low water periods and water temps are apt to be a bit warmer in the now shallower water. Another thing that influences where one might find fish is current, either flowing into or out of a body of water. Water levels at these inlets or outlets may have dropped to a point where water is no longer flowing and therefore there is no current to attract fish. You may need to find deeper water to find fish. Or possibly the low water level may have encouraged the growth of shallow water vegetation which has caused fish like northern pike or large mouth bass to patrol the edges in search of a meal. At any rate you'll need to pay close attention to your observations and your electronics to determine what the effect of low water has been on the fish population in the body of water you are fishing. With a little bit of luck it may be a case of making lemonade out of lemons.

Hopefully our area will receive its normal amount of precipitation in the coming months and the levels on our waters will return to normal levels. Until that happens please take care when on the water.

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