Half Day Guided Fishing Trip In Wisconsin
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Four-hour winter charter targeting multiple cold-water speciesProfessional guide provides all equipment on productive northern lakesSmall group capacity ensures personalized fishing experience
Picture yourself bundled up on a crisp Wisconsin morning, rod in hand, watching your line disappear into the dark waters of Lac Vieux Desert. That's exactly what you'll get with Captain Mark's 4-hour winter fishing charter through Curtis Guide Service. This isn't your typical summer fishing trip – we're talking about serious cold-water action when the fish are hungry and the crowds are gone. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a fishing rod, Mark knows these Northern Wisconsin waters like the back of his hand and he'll put you on fish.
Captain Mark runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed out there. You'll hit productive spots across some of Northern Wisconsin's best fishing lakes – think Lac Vieux Desert, North Twin, Kentuck Lake, Big Sand Lake, Long Lake, and both the Eagle River and Three Lakes Chains. The beauty of fishing with a local guide is that he reads the conditions daily. If the bite's hot on North Twin, that's where you're headed. If the weather pushes fish deeper on Big Sand Lake, he's already got a game plan. This top-rated charter accommodates up to three anglers, so you're not fighting for elbow room or competing with a boatload of strangers for the guide's attention. Mark brings all the rods, reels, and tackle – you just need your Wisconsin fishing license, some snacks, and whatever you like to drink. Fair warning though: deposits are non-refundable, so make sure you're committed before you book.
Winter fishing in Northern Wisconsin requires a completely different approach than summer angling, and that's where Mark's expertise really shines. Forget about topwater lures and shallow presentations – we're talking about slow, methodical techniques that trigger strikes from lethargic cold-water fish. Depending on conditions, you might be jigging vertically with heavy spoons, pulling spinner rigs through the deeper channels, or working soft plastics along drop-offs where fish stack up during the colder months. Mark adjusts his approach based on what the fish are telling him that day. Some days they want a subtle presentation with light jigs, other days they'll hammer aggressive retrieves. The gear is all taken care of – medium to heavy action rods paired with quality reels spooled with the right line for winter conditions. He's got everything from jigging rods for vertical presentations to trolling setups for covering water. The tackle box is stocked with proven winter producers: blade baits, heavy jigs, live bait rigs, and the kind of lures that have been putting fish in the boat for decades.
Crappie are the bread and butter of many Northern Wisconsin winter trips, and for good reason. These silvery slabs school up tight in winter, often holding in 15-25 feet of water around structure. When you find one crappie in winter, you've usually found a dozen. They're not the biggest fighters pound-for-pound, but there's something satisfying about the steady thump-thump of a nice slab on light tackle. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish swimming in these lakes. Mark knows the winter haunts where crappie congregate, and when they're biting, you can fill your limit pretty quickly.
Walleye fishing in winter is a whole different animal than summer walleye fishing. These golden beauties slow down considerably in cold water, but they still need to eat. Winter walleye often hold deeper and tighter to structure, making them a bit more challenging to locate but incredibly rewarding when you connect. They're notorious for light bites in winter – sometimes just a subtle tick on the line – but Mark will teach you to recognize those telltale signs. A good winter walleye runs 16-20 inches on these lakes, and they're absolutely phenomenal on the dinner table.
Northern Pike are the wild cards of winter fishing trips. While they slow down in cold water like everything else, they're still apex predators and when they decide to feed, they feed hard. Winter northerns often suspend around weed edges or patrol deeper structures, and when one grabs your lure, you'll know it immediately. They might not make the blistering runs they do in summer, but a 30-inch northern pulling drag in 38-degree water will still get your heart pumping. These fish are all attitude, even in winter.
Muskellunge represent the holy grail for many anglers, and winter musky fishing has developed a cult following in recent years. These legendary fish of 10,000 casts become more predictable in winter, often holding in specific areas that Mark has dialed in over years of fishing these waters. Winter muskies follow baitfish to deeper structures and can be targeted with specific techniques that don't work any other time of year. They're not easy – musky fishing never is – but your chances of connecting with a true giant are actually better in winter than many people realize.
Bluegill might seem like an afterthought compared to the other species, but don't sleep on winter 'gills in Northern Wisconsin. The big spawning bulls often go deep in winter, and a 9-inch bluegill through the ice or from a boat in open water is a legitimate trophy. They're scrappy little fighters on light tackle, and like crappie, they make outstanding table fare. When the other species aren't cooperating, bluegill can save the day and keep rods bent.
Here's the bottom line: Captain Mark's winter fishing charter offers something you can't get anywhere else – local knowledge paired with proven techniques on some of Northern Wisconsin's most productive waters. This isn't a cookie-cutter fishing trip where you troll the same pattern every day. Mark reads conditions, adjusts tactics, and puts in the work to find active fish. The fact that he limits trips to three anglers means you get personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time. Whether
Lepomis MacrochirusBluegill are perfect for anyone wanting steady action and a great fish dinner. They average 6-8 inches but can push a pound in our better lakes. You'll find them in shallow, weedy areas around docks, fallen trees, and spawning beds - especially during late spring when they're bedding in the shallows. They school up, so once you find one, there's usually more nearby. What makes bluegill special is they're scrappy fighters for their size and absolutely delicious - sweet, firm meat that's hard to beat. They're also perfect for kids since they're not picky about bait and bite consistently. Spring through early summer is prime time, but they'll bite year-round. Here's a tip that works every time: use a small hook with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber around shallow cover. Keep it simple, stay quiet, and let them tell you they're there.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusCrappie run 7-12 inches and usually weigh around half a pound, but they travel in schools which makes for steady action once you find them. Both black and white crappie hang around fallen trees, weed beds, and brush piles in our lakes - black crappie prefer the clearer water we get in many northern spots. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallow for spawning, but they bite year-round if you know where to look. What really draws folks to crappie is that sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish we have up here. They're also great for kids since they're not too fussy about bait. My go-to tip: use a small jig under a slip bobber and work it slow around structure. When crappie are feeding, they'll often suspend at a specific depth, so once you dial in that zone, you can fill a cooler pretty quick.
Esox MasquinongyMusky are the fish of 10,000 casts - Wisconsin's state fish and the ultimate freshwater trophy. These apex predators can stretch 40-50 inches and weigh 20-30 pounds, with true giants reaching 50+ pounds. They patrol weed edges, rocky points, and deeper structure where they can ambush prey. Fall is prime time when they're feeding heavy before winter, though they bite all season if you put in the work. What draws serious anglers to musky is the challenge and the payoff - these fish will test your tackle and your patience, but landing one is a memory that lasts forever. They're not great eating, so most go back to fight another day. Here's something I've learned over the years: when you see a musky follow your lure, don't stop retrieving. Keep that bait moving and do a big figure-eight right at the boat. Sometimes that direction change is what triggers them to commit.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the lake's bullies - aggressive ambush predators that average 24-30 inches and 3-4 pounds, though the big girls can push 40+ inches. They hang in weedy bays, around downed timber, and along weed lines where they can surprise their next meal. Summer finds them in deeper water, but spring and fall they prowl the shallows. What makes pike fishing fun is their attitude - they'll smash lures with serious violence and then fight like they're mad about being hooked. They're not picky eaters either, so big spoons, spinners, and swimbaits all work. Be ready for those head shakes and runs. One thing I always tell clients: keep that rod tip up and reel steady when you see a pike following your lure. A figure-eight at the boat will often trigger that strike when they're just looking. And bring pliers - those teeth mean business.
Sander VitreusWalleye are the gold standard around here - those big silver eyes aren't just for show, they help them hunt in low light when they're most active. Most run 15-20 inches and 2-3 pounds, though we see some nice 5+ pounders. They stick to structure like rock piles, weed edges, and drop-offs, usually in 10-25 feet of water during the day. Early morning, evening, and overcast days are when they really turn on. What makes walleye special is that perfect balance - they fight hard enough to keep it interesting but aren't so stubborn you lose a lot of fish. Plus, there's no better eating fish in these waters - that white, flaky meat is why so many folks target them. Here's a local trick: when you're jigging, let the walleye load up on the bait before setting the hook. They like to mouth it first, so count to three after you feel that tap.
Wisconsin