Question for Cooter? Or anyone else

[picksbigwagon]

My brother and I are looking for somewhere w/in two hours of Eau Claire that has a campground, and some decent fishing. We are taking our dad and we just want fish to eat for dinner. A lake that has any of the following would be awesome: walleye, northerns, bass, crappies, and or panfish. A flowage would be okay too if I can could get my boat on it..................

[Cooter]

Places that come to mind are Chetek chain lakes, Potato L., and Red Cedar Lake. Red Cedar would be the best bet for walleye and smallmouth, the other two for panfish and largemouth. I'll look through my Gazateer tonight as I'm sure I'm forgetting some other good bets. If you don't mind driving a little further there is a great chain of lakes and a nice campground between Drummond and Iron River. Give me some more specific info on what type of campground you want and fish species you want to focus on. Another option coming to mind is Miller Dam, I'll check if they have a campground - pretty sure they do. Will get back to you on Wed., going to the MN Zoo tomorrow.

[picksbigwagon]

Have a good time at the zoo. Catch the dolphin show at 11 and 1, the kids ( if that is who you are taking ) will love it. Don't forget the minnesota experience either. Interesting critters on that one........

We are looking for fish and an RV campground with a dock or harbor. Where would Red Cedar Lake be located? My brother and I would love to head north to vermillion in minnesota, but it is a long haul for our dad in Iowa.

Species: walleyes would be nice, but I think Northerns eat just as nice. Smallies or largemouth can fill the time between the walleyes as well. I like getting at least a few muskie follows as well. SO I guess I am asking for the world. Is there a Wisconsin orientated HSOforum like this awesome site here?

[Cooter]

Hmmm, Red Cedar Lake is north or Rice Lake, closest "town" would be Mikana. Another option would be Shell Lake, just south of Spooner. Tons of mid sized northerns, no size limit on walleyes, big muskies, plus dandly smallmouth, a few largemouth, and panfish. Campground with elec., water, and landing - is literally in town though so not really a "northwoods" experience, but bait, food, gas, etc. is easily accessible. Never got to the Gazateer, will soon. Hope this helps. Bring more questions if you got em.

[picksbigwagon]

Thanks Cooter, the one south of spooner sounds pretty great.....I don't care about the northwoods location, if we wanted that we would not be tryin to stay close to Eau Claire. What is this Gazetter you are talking about? Where could my brother get ahold of one of those????

[eskay]

Picks,

I live north of Rice lake and my folks live on Red Cedar. I grew up on Red Cedar, so I know the area pretty well. Here's my two cents on the area.

Red Cedar is a great fishery for just about anything except muskies. LOTS of smallies and walleyes, above average panfish, and plenty of northerns to keep you busy. There is a county park on the lake that offers tent and RV camping, electric, water, a really nice landing, and NO beach. Nearest town is indeed Mikana, really a small village of around 300. There is a gas/bait/convenience store there, along with an exceptional restaurant. Liquor and beer available at both places, and only a couple of miles from the county park. Red Cedar can get busy with pleasure craft and those @%$#**& jetskis on the weekends, but this is a three lake chain that includes Balsam to the north and Hemlock to the south. Both are smaller lakes, sdo the weekend cruisers stay on the main lake. Balsam has a good crappie, walleye and northern (big) base, while Hemlock is smaller and quite weedy, favored for panfish and northerns, with a rare muskie thrown in. Both lakes are easily accessible from Red Cedar with any size boat you have. Quiet lake during the week, with mostly fishermen M-TH. There is also a golf course and a fine dining restaurant right on the lake, with gas available on the water at the marina.

Shell Lake is also a great fishery with a lot of muskies along with the rest. The only problem with Shell Lake is, as Cooter stated, it's in town. LOTS of people, well known public beach, BUSY, BUSY. The times I fished it it was crowded with pontoons, skiers, and fishermen. Good fishing can be had, but the atmosphere is similar to a metro area lake. But, the walleye fishing can be great if you hit it right.

Other lakes in the area are Long Lake, which also has an RV campground at a resort, and is known for it's walleyes. Big lake with extremely busy weekends, lots of on water resorts and taverns. Bear Lake is to the west of Red Cedar about 10 miles, it's where I live. Only a couple resorts, one campground on the lake, but a great fishery and not a pleasure boaters hangout.

The Birchwood area has many lakes and campgrounds, and is about 5 miles north of Red Cedar. Lakes there include Big and Little Birch and Chetac. Good fishing and plenty of amenities.

Hope this helps. If you want more info you could contact the Rice Lake C of C or the Birchwood Lakes Assoc. I don't know if the have websites.

You should be able to get a Wisconsin Gazeteer at your local bookstore or any of the sporting goods stores such as Gander, Cabelas, Dick's, Joes etc.

I'm heading to LOW as soon as I get done with this message, so if you have any questions I'll be back Mon.

[picksbigwagon]

Eskay,

I am jealous, have a good trip..........I didn't know that Balsam lake is part of a chain. My wife's boss has a cabin on Balsam and I have been there before so I have the general idea of where we are talking now. Sounds like Red Cedar might be the ticket..........I understand about the pleasure boaters and those wonderful moving targets (I've come close with my 1 1/2 ounce rattle traps too) but we would make this trip from about a wednesday through sunday so basically we would have 3 good days and one day of boaters......

[Cooter]

Picks - When you decided which lake to try, let me know and I can give some top secret spots

[picksbigwagon]

Just from the posts here, and thanks you two, Red Cedar looks like the place we will probably head to... Of course we just need to iron out the calanders and right now it looks like the wednesday after the 4th is gonna be our best, albeit not first, option.....maybe later in august, but red ceday looks interesting. how big is this lake, and will I find the classic lake structures around it fairly easily......I do have a gps so if you have some hot spots in your gps, I would greatly appreciate it

[Cooter]

Do you have access to a fax machine? If so I will print out a map of the lake, highlight some areas to try, and fax it to ya.

[eskay]

Picks,

Just got back late last night from LOW. Good muskie opener with 4 fish boated on Saturday.

You may be thinking of a different Balsam Lake. There is a very well known one near the MN/WI border. The Balsam Lake I'm referring to has very little development on it.

If Red Cedar is your choice, you can pick up a HotSpots map for the lake at any fishing outlet. It's a good map that shows the structure and key fishing areas. If you are planning on staying at the county park, it's called Waldo Carlson Park, you can contact Barron County Forest & Recreation dept at (715)537-6295. I'm not sure if that's the correct dept., but they can surely tell you where to contact for reservations to make sure you have a spot for your dates. Also, I know a licensed guide for Red Cedar if you're interested. As a matter of fact, he was with me fishing on LOW and boated 2 of the 4 muskies this weekend. Name is Dave Saunders, phone (715)234-7435. Best to call after 8pm. Best way to get the spots early in the trip, and he doesn't charge much.

Good luck on your planning, any questions fire away.