06/20/2026
Guide's Choice Pro Shop β Eagle River / Vilas County Fishing Report
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Publish Date: June 19, 2026
Thank you to Andy Hendrickson Hendo's Angling for the excellent multi species intel. Thank you to Eagle River Musky Guide and Rip a Lip Fishing Team LLC for musky info.
π‘οΈ Water Temps: Dropped from the low 70s down to the upper 60s due to a cold front, heavy rain, and high winds.
Hey Northwoods anglers! Mother Nature threw us a curveball this week with colder conditions, plenty of rain, and high winds across Vilas County. This dropped our water temps back into the upper 60s. Despite the tough weather, adjusting your tactics will still put fish in the boat! Here is your weekly breakdown:
π MUSKY
The Spring Classic Musky Tournament was held on the Eagle River Chain last weekend under very tough conditions due to huge winds. Anglers fought through it and brought in a total of 39 fish, with a beautiful 47.25β taking Big Fish honors!
Also, shout out to big fish specialist, Rich Mantey, with his 48" musky caught in Monday Night Musky League.
Right now, the bigger fish are starting to eat more. Many are being found in the shallow broadleaf w**ds, which absorb heat and warm up faster, leading to more baitfish activity and life. The bucktail bite isn't in full effect yet, but we've heard of some big ones being caught on HunsyTails.
Early in the week, we fished a clear lake and moved fish on topwaters and bucktails, boating my first musky of the year on a Boss Shad Small Hybrid in Crappie pattern. We focused on the w**d line on wind-blown shorelines and found fish mid-day. Local area guides say not to ignore that mid-day bite!
Smaller baits are still providing the best chances. Try to slow your presentation down once in a while.
Vilas County / Eagle River Solunar Times:
Friday, Jun 19: Major: 4:05 am to 6:05 am, 4:29 pm to 6:29 pm | Minor: 9:58 am to 10:58 am
Saturday, Jun 20: Major: 4:52 am to 6:52 am, 5:14 pm to 7:14 pm | Minor: 11:13 am to 12:13 pm, 11:44 pm to 12:44 am
Sunday, Jun 21: Major: 5:36 am to 7:36 am, 5:58 pm to 7:58 pm | Minor: 12:02 am to 1:02 am, 12:24 pm to 1:24 pm
Monday, Jun 22: Major: 6:19 am to 8:19 am, 6:40 pm to 8:40 pm | Minor: 12:19 am to 1:19 am, 1:33 pm to 2:33 pm
Tuesday, Jun 23: Major: 7:01 am to 9:01 am, 7:23 pm to 9:23 pm | Minor: 12:36 am to 1:36 am, 2:41 pm to 3:41 pm
Wednesday, Jun 24: Major: 7:45 am to 9:45 am, 8:07 pm to 10:07 pm | Minor: 12:55 am to 1:55 am, 3:49 pm to 4:49 pm
Thursday, Jun 25: Major: 8:30 am to 10:30 am, 8:53 pm to 10:53 pm | Minor: 1:16 am to 2:16 am, 4:57 pm to 5:57 pm
π WALLEYE
On the flowages, walleyes are relating heavily to mud flats where bugs are actively hatching, as well as along transition edges. In the lakes, they are still holding mainly in the w**ds. Because of the area bug hatches, nightcrawlers and leeches are solid options right now.
π CRAPPIE
We are seeing crappies being caught that are still completely full of spawn. The recent see-saw water temperatures may have caused the crappies to miss their traditional shallow spawn window entirely. As a result, many fish are being caught in deeper water full of eggs. Look for them relating to logs adjacent to shorelines, or out on mid-lake cribs and deep timber.
π SMALLMOUTH AND LARGEMOUTH BASS
With water temperatures sliding from the low 70s down into the upper 60s, bass are in a transitional phase. Most smallmouth and largemouth bass have completed spawning or are wrapping up, but this sudden cold snap will cause them to back off the shallowest flats. Target the first drop-off or w**d edges just outside their spawning grounds, and slow down your presentation to trigger bites.
π BLUEGILL
Bluegills should be staging for their spawn or starting to move shallow. If you want some fast-paced fun, picking up a fly rod rigged with foam ants or small buggy patterns is always an absolute blast in the shallows.
π PERCH
Anglers are generally picking up a good amount of perch right on the deep w**d edges. Just like the walleyes, they are feeding on the active bug hatches, making live crawlers and small leeches your best bet.
Stop by Guide's Choice Pro Shop before hitting the lakes this weekend to gear up with HunsyTails, Boss Shad Hybrids, and the freshest live bait in town!
