I was checking the comments and you were right, some people don’t appreciate all the hard work you are putting to make these reviews, totally agree! A day of fishing is never a bad day. No matter if we are eaten by mosquitoes or if we only catch a big state record SKUNK. As always great video my Man!
Thank you for a video like this…. Fishing videos are always showing the greatest and best and it’s reassuring to see that others have had bad days as well! Good job 👍🏼
Nice! It sounds like you did very well on these lakes. It amazes me how each person can have such a different experience on the same lake. That's what's so great about fishing.
Fished Namakagon a few years ago. Running spinnerbaits over the weeds produced multiple daily limits of pike(all released). Also a bunch of largemouth and a few Smallmouth.
I'm not sure what we are doing wrong. Running spinnerbaits over the weed tops is mostly what we did and got no results. I'm happy to hear some people have had good luck here. Thanks for telling us about your experience here.
Had been going up to Mercer for 20 straight years. Fished most of the lakes around there that I could land a boat into. Even pushed off the side of the road on to one of the Black Lakes! Moose Lake was a yearly go to. So right about the mosquitoes, they guard the landing. Always thought we would catch a monster there, never did. Bass were pretty good and some smaller muskie and pike. Never any numbers.
The Upper Eau Claire Lake bait shop guy didn’t ask you if you wanted to buy the place? 25 years ago we asked where the fish were biting and the guy said he didn’t know and didn’t care!
A bait shop owner unwilling to give out tips and pointers is analogous to a waiter who is slow and surly, and wonders why he doesn’t have a good income.
Both Moose Lakes used to be a great panfish and walleye lakes. However, over the last 5 years the fishing has dropped off to the point where to us it's no longer worth the trip
New to the channel. So question did you ever get to fish 🐟 the other Moose 🫎 lake. We are going there this year for the first time. So if you fished it, what did you think. Would appreciate any info. Thanks
Welcome to the channel! Yes, I did fish the other Moose lake, but it was before I started filming the lakes. I stayed at the campground on Moose lake, and I thought I found the worst mosquitos ever.. then I went to the other moose lake and it was worse! As far as I remember, we caught a couple small fish. There were a lot of stumps and it was a dark stained water. Not the best fishing, but I was only there once, so you might want a second opinion.
There are no fish in Casey Lake in St. Croix County. If you come from the park in the north you have to hike about a quarter mile through intense vegetation and marsh. We broke a ice rod getting our sleds back there in winter. It took ~45 minutes to cross that quarter mile. If you go in summer you will literally be covered in ticks. This is not an exaggeration. I'm pretty sure the entire thing freezes to the bottom and that's why there are no fish.
I know that bait store in Barnes. Jim's bait shop. Probably time to retire. Eau Claire chain is incredible water. No doubt it has huge fish but winter can be particularly tough. Nobody tells me to stay off "their" water unless they want an earful back. I fish all over northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota. I have found the Minnesota people to be much more stuck up but that's just my experience so far.
The Eau Claire chain looks so good! I was so surprised when we hardly saw a fish. It's probably worth another look in the summertime. Thanks for your input.
My worst lake is Perch lake in WI, I got there before daylight was paddling the kayak out next thing you know a swimming club showed up and started doing laps around the lake I didn't even see a sunfish LOL
Where my parents live there is standing water all the time. I have a mosquito netting hat and rubber gloves that I wear when I go catfishing. The water has been so low and no rain that the last couple years I haven't had to wear this stuff at all I have seen parts of the river I have never seen before and they have lived there for over thirty years now
in southern Wisconsin we have our crappy lakes too, Lake Redstone is good if early in year or later in year when it gets cooler, in summer its best to go somewhere else, too many recreational boater/jet skis on that lake for the size it is. #2 is Blackhawk lake, not a huge lake but it gets hammered as far as too many anglers and its slim pickings with that much fishing pressure, slow no wake makes it nice though, no jet skis or water skiers.
I noticed I got lots of comments from people in southern WI, so I'm heading down to Madison this year to hit some lakes around there. It does seem like there is much more recreational activity on lakes in the south, so hopefully it doesn't drive me mad. I will check out those lakes you mentioned just in case I ever end up there. Thanks for the input.
@@GoMidwestFishing Thank you, I believe it was a 44 inch musky. For the crappies small plastic tipped jigs or fathead minnows under a bobber. The musky was caught on a sucker quick strike rig. But I've had them hit bucktails and plastics too.
Thanks for the input. I heard Minocqua is like fishing in a carnival. It gets super busy with recreational traffic. I'd have to agree with @kylesmith-hg4me, Little John Jr. has got to be the best lake name ever.
You had some wind ruined days. I don't buy the whole "The fish like live bait," argument. I have not used live bait in 35 years. I think those locals just don't want to work out the puzzle.
Wind is second only to mosquitoes when it comes to ruining my fishing day. I guess the only way to find out if live bait works in Namekagon, is to try it... which I won't since I'm not going back there. Thanks Dpuck.
Knot sure I buy the live bait answers as hard as you and Reggie fish if the bite was there at all you'd manage better days than you've described and what I've seen......Can I send you a Bucs slip cover.....LOL!!😎
Never had a trip without dealing with the elements mosquitos just part of it then you pray for wind 😂your right on spot never a bad day fishing just rotten luck 😂😂😂
Been fishing Namekagon since the early 90s. Beautiful lake and can certainly be challenging. I’ve found weeds trump structure there. And shallow - 90% of fish are in under 10’ (through June anyway). Also night fishing is very productive.
I have so much fun fishing, that I had a hard time calling any lake "bad," but there are some that I wouldn't go back to. I have to start fishing some of the southern WI lakes. Koshkonong is so shallow, I'd be surprised if it doesn't freeze out. I never even noticed that lake before, so I had to check it out.
Kosh is great for walleyes. You need to troll small cranks and bounce them off it very near the bottom. Around 4 ft or thereabouts. We always catch a lot of walleyes out of Kosh. Every year
It would be nice if the DNR was doing there job. Because then there wouldn't be any bad lakes. In my area we have many good lakes, that have gone bad, only because they are fished out. Because of the fishing pressure. Many lakes cannot sustain themselves without help. Planting fish is the only solution. I wish the DNR would get off of there butt's and do something. Or it would only take a few Rich people to pole together and do something about it. A hundred thousand dollars would plant a lot of fish. The number one fish people pursue is the bluegill. They plant muskie and walleye. We need help with the bluegill. We have a Lakes that they plant muskie and walleye. But the walleye keep dieing out because the lake is too shallow. But bluegill do good in the lake. People need to know what fish do best in each individual lake. And don't waste money on planting fish that aren't going to do well.
So you’ve fished a few of these lakes once and you’re calling them the worst lakes? Maybe it’s your inability to find fish along with your fishing skills and not the lakes 🤦🏻😂
@@WisGuy4 I live in wi and can say fishing socks in wi, I go other places, I dont tailgate, and you should go back to your mom's basement and troll more people for no reason other then to make yourself feel like a big man
I did have Chippewa Flowage on my top 10 list. Then I narrowed it down to 5, so it didn't end up in the finals. Its a very tough lake to fish, and full of hazards, and I've never caught much there. I only took it off the list because I figured people would give me a hard time if I mentioned that one. Thanks for your input!
I was checking the comments and you were right, some people don’t appreciate all the hard work you are putting to make these reviews, totally agree! A day of fishing is never a bad day. No matter if we are eaten by mosquitoes or if we only catch a big state record SKUNK.
As always great video my Man!
Thank you for a video like this…. Fishing videos are always showing the greatest and best and it’s reassuring to see that others have had bad days as well! Good job 👍🏼
Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for putting one of the best fishing lakes in the area on this list! It will help keep people off it :)
My biggest Musky on Namakagon was a 47” Tiger. My biggest walleye on Upper Eau Claire was 10lbs. 4oz.
Nice! It sounds like you did very well on these lakes. It amazes me how each person can have such a different experience on the same lake. That's what's so great about fishing.
Great channel. I miss Mercer, I live in Florida now. I’m living through your posts now! Thank you.
I'm happy to have you along. I lived in Florida for a while. I still enjoy visiting there, but I'm glad I still live up here.
Fished Namakagon a few years ago. Running spinnerbaits over the weeds produced multiple daily limits of pike(all released). Also a bunch of largemouth and a few Smallmouth.
I'm not sure what we are doing wrong. Running spinnerbaits over the weed tops is mostly what we did and got no results. I'm happy to hear some people have had good luck here. Thanks for telling us about your experience here.
Gilmore has some very big Largemouth. Ive had some good action around docks.
Good to know. I'm sure if the weather was better, I would have been able to explore it a little more. Thanks for the feedback.
Had been going up to Mercer for 20 straight years. Fished most of the lakes around there that I could land a boat into. Even pushed off the side of the road on to one of the Black Lakes! Moose Lake was a yearly go to. So right about the mosquitoes, they guard the landing. Always thought we would catch a monster there, never did. Bass were pretty good and some smaller muskie and pike. Never any numbers.
Moose lake looked like there would be a lunker hanging out in there. We were all excited.. then nothing. I'm glad you had some luck there.
Lake Mason in southern Wisconsin is great for bass and bluegill, but the middle of summer, it just fills up algae and weed. A real mess for boaters.
Thanks for the info! There seems to be many lakes that get really green by late summer. I guess you just have to fish them early in the season.
The Upper Eau Claire Lake bait shop guy didn’t ask you if you wanted to buy the place?
25 years ago we asked where the fish were biting and the guy said he didn’t know and didn’t care!
Oh man, that's funny. Apparently they don't running a bait store. I'm glad it wasn't just me.
A bait shop owner unwilling to give out tips and pointers is analogous to a waiter who is slow and surly, and wonders why he doesn’t have a good income.
Both Moose Lakes used to be a great panfish and walleye lakes. However, over the last 5 years the fishing has dropped off to the point where to us it's no longer worth the trip
Thanks for the info. I'd just head a little further east to the Rhinelander/Minocqua area. Its hard to find a bad lake around there.
Appreciate the honest review my friend. Got a kick out of your shirt as well.
I was hoping someone would notice the shirt. You are the first to do so. Thanks Titus.
New to the channel. So question did you ever get to fish 🐟 the other Moose 🫎 lake. We are going there this year for the first time. So if you fished it, what did you think. Would appreciate any info. Thanks
@@jeffhintz7733Nelson lake is full of stumps, good fish but hard to get
Welcome to the channel! Yes, I did fish the other Moose lake, but it was before I started filming the lakes. I stayed at the campground on Moose lake, and I thought I found the worst mosquitos ever.. then I went to the other moose lake and it was worse! As far as I remember, we caught a couple small fish. There were a lot of stumps and it was a dark stained water. Not the best fishing, but I was only there once, so you might want a second opinion.
There are no fish in Casey Lake in St. Croix County. If you come from the park in the north you have to hike about a quarter mile through intense vegetation and marsh. We broke a ice rod getting our sleds back there in winter. It took ~45 minutes to cross that quarter mile. If you go in summer you will literally be covered in ticks. This is not an exaggeration. I'm pretty sure the entire thing freezes to the bottom and that's why there are no fish.
Good to know. I think I will skip this lake in the future. I appreciate your input.
I know that bait store in Barnes. Jim's bait shop. Probably time to retire. Eau Claire chain is incredible water. No doubt it has huge fish but winter can be particularly tough. Nobody tells me to stay off "their" water unless they want an earful back. I fish all over northern Wisconsin and northern Minnesota. I have found the Minnesota people to be much more stuck up but that's just my experience so far.
The Eau Claire chain looks so good! I was so surprised when we hardly saw a fish. It's probably worth another look in the summertime. Thanks for your input.
Yep, sounds like Jim’s bait shop. Surprised he still is around.
I live in Minnesota and you're right. Very clique and snobby people alot of them. " Minnesota nice" is just a myth.
Alot of great info. TY for sharing.
Thanks P and J. I get to see you guys talking every Monday even if I can't make it there live. I feel like I've gotten to know you all.
@@GoMidwestFishing We feel the same way! So many great people show up to Adam and Phyllis lives. Hope to see you on the next one!
My worst lake is Perch lake in WI, I got there before daylight was paddling the kayak out next thing you know a swimming club showed up and started doing laps around the lake I didn't even see a sunfish LOL
I believe we talked about going there before. I guess you made it out there. Sounds like you won't be going back.
@@GoMidwestFishing Maybe an evening fish would be better next time I wanted to try out ice fishing but that didn't work out either
Where my parents live there is standing water all the time. I have a mosquito netting hat and rubber gloves that I wear when I go catfishing.
The water has been so low and no rain that the last couple years I haven't had to wear this stuff at all I have seen parts of the river I have never seen before and they have lived there for over thirty years now
Nothing will ruin fishing faster than mosquitos! I'm glad you got a couple years of relief.
in southern Wisconsin we have our crappy lakes too, Lake Redstone is good if early in year or later in year when it gets cooler, in summer its best to go somewhere else, too many recreational boater/jet skis on that lake for the size it is. #2 is Blackhawk lake, not a huge lake but it gets hammered as far as too many anglers and its slim pickings with that much fishing pressure, slow no wake makes it nice though, no jet skis or water skiers.
I noticed I got lots of comments from people in southern WI, so I'm heading down to Madison this year to hit some lakes around there. It does seem like there is much more recreational activity on lakes in the south, so hopefully it doesn't drive me mad. I will check out those lakes you mentioned just in case I ever end up there. Thanks for the input.
I liv in the Rhinelander , area -- heavily fished ,but very very diverse... When u saw cloudy stay away wrong time... this is a musky factory..
Good to know. Thanks for the info. I have to say, out of all the places I've fished, the Rhinelander area has the best lakes!
Spring Crappie fishing can be pretty good on Namakagon. The musky I'm holding in my photo I caught there Halloween Day 2010.
Thanks for the info. That's a pretty nice muskie too!
@@GoMidwestFishing Thank you, I believe it was a 44 inch musky. For the crappies small plastic tipped jigs or fathead minnows under a bobber. The musky was caught on a sucker quick strike rig. But I've had them hit bucktails and plastics too.
You probably won’t get hired for any of their visitors bureaus but honesty is the best policy 😂
So far, no bureaus have called me wanting to hire me, so I'm not too worried. Besides, any publicity is good publicity... so I hear.
Pokegama, Minocqua, Sandy Beach, little John.
Boom has too much turbidity..
Not bad. Like little john
Or little john jr. My favorite lake name
Thanks for the input. I heard Minocqua is like fishing in a carnival. It gets super busy with recreational traffic. I'd have to agree with @kylesmith-hg4me, Little John Jr. has got to be the best lake name ever.
if you have put a boat in and are not catching fish on boom , head up river and catch smallies on jug and leech
Even the worst day of fishing is still better than the best day at work! :)
I agree 100%
You had some wind ruined days. I don't buy the whole "The fish like live bait," argument. I have not used live bait in 35 years. I think those locals just don't want to work out the puzzle.
Wind is second only to mosquitoes when it comes to ruining my fishing day. I guess the only way to find out if live bait works in Namekagon, is to try it... which I won't since I'm not going back there. Thanks Dpuck.
Thanks for the great information my friend
Thanks John.
I caught the best prime rib at Louies Landing on moose lake. Awesome place to eat
Its a beautiful area, if they could just get rid of the mosquitoes. I will check out Louie's next time I'm in town.
Knot sure I buy the live bait answers as hard as you and Reggie fish if the bite was there at all you'd manage better days than you've described and what I've seen......Can I send you a Bucs slip cover.....LOL!!😎
Are you saying you don't like the Packers?
@@GoMidwestFishing Not at all but when you live 50 miles from Buc stadium I definitely like the home town favorite....!!😎
Never had a trip without dealing with the elements mosquitos just part of it then you pray for wind 😂your right on spot never a bad day fishing just rotten luck 😂😂😂
I enjoyed every day and every lake I fish, but if I had to rank all the lakes I fished, these would be at the bottom. Its always an adventure!
Been fishing Namekagon since the early 90s. Beautiful lake and can certainly be challenging. I’ve found weeds trump structure there. And shallow - 90% of fish are in under 10’ (through June anyway). Also night fishing is very productive.
I will certainly agree with all of that. I think it just takes time to figure this lake out.
I don't think i can think of a bad lake.
Maybe Lake Koshkonong in Southern wis. Long shallow lake. Good for Walleye but I just suck fishing it😊
Koshkonog is good for catfish from what I've heard from people.
I have so much fun fishing, that I had a hard time calling any lake "bad," but there are some that I wouldn't go back to. I have to start fishing some of the southern WI lakes. Koshkonong is so shallow, I'd be surprised if it doesn't freeze out. I never even noticed that lake before, so I had to check it out.
Kosh is great for walleyes. You need to troll small cranks and bounce them off it very near the bottom. Around 4 ft or thereabouts. We always catch a lot of walleyes out of Kosh. Every year
It’s shallow but dirty water. The walleyes are shallow. But trust me. They are there
Watched this just to see if Namakogan was on it. It was.
So I'm not crazy thinking Namekagon is hard to fish..
Moose lake tons of skeeters means a hatch that feed the fish.. no sense in going there.
The fish must be well fed on Moose lake then. Thanks fore the info.
Moose by the chip is no good either. Drained out years ago when the dam broke.
Good to know! Its been a long time since I've been to the other Moose lake.
Yup. Stay away was a good pc of advice.
It would be nice if the DNR was doing there job. Because then there wouldn't be any bad lakes. In my area we have many good lakes, that have gone bad, only because they are fished out. Because of the fishing pressure. Many lakes cannot sustain themselves without help. Planting fish is the only solution. I wish the DNR would get off of there butt's and do something. Or it would only take a few Rich people to pole together and do something about it. A hundred thousand dollars would plant a lot of fish. The number one fish people pursue is the bluegill. They plant muskie and walleye. We need help with the bluegill. We have a Lakes that they plant muskie and walleye. But the walleye keep dieing out because the lake is too shallow. But bluegill do good in the lake. People need to know what fish do best in each individual lake. And don't waste money on planting fish that aren't going to do well.
It is sad that the only way to sustain the lakes is to stock the lakes. They do seem to focus mostly on walleye and musky.
So you’ve fished a few of these lakes once and you’re calling them the worst lakes? Maybe it’s your inability to find fish along with your fishing skills and not the lakes 🤦🏻😂
Yep, and that's exactly how I explained it. I'm glad you paid attention. Are you related to John Busick from Birchwood?
@@GoMidwestFishing yep
@@brentbusick2245that's crazy
Haven't found a good lake yet in wi
Is that why you were tailgating on the Wisconsin highways, because you’re pissed off about not catching fish? Maybe next time stay home in Illinois
@@WisGuy4 I live in wi and can say fishing socks in wi, I go other places, I dont tailgate, and you should go back to your mom's basement and troll more people for no reason other then to make yourself feel like a big man
Watch on 2x speed
Maybe your better at making you tube videos than you are at fishing.
The Chippewa Flowage use to be a good place to fish but I believe it's been fished out
I did have Chippewa Flowage on my top 10 list. Then I narrowed it down to 5, so it didn't end up in the finals. Its a very tough lake to fish, and full of hazards, and I've never caught much there. I only took it off the list because I figured people would give me a hard time if I mentioned that one. Thanks for your input!