James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late October 2026

What a wild couple weeks it has been up here in North-Central Wisconsin. We went from sweating in our t-shirts during an absurd 80-degree warm streak to reaching for our heavy winter bibs almost overnight. Up here in Oneida and Vilas counties, autumn is officially in full swing, and while the wind h

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

Introducing Ramarack Lures: Handcrafted Canadian Musky Baits Built for Big Fish

At The Musky Shop, we're always looking for quality gear that brings something new to the water. That's why we're excited to introduce Ramarack Lures, a Canadian custom lure company combining handcrafted construction, innovative designs, and a passion for musky fishing.Based in Mount Forest, Ontario

J Jodie Paul
Steven Paul

The Overlooked Tactic for Fall Musky: Vertical Jigging in Flowages

As the leaves drop and water temperatures plummet, musky anglers across the Midwest begin their annual quest for a late-season giant. While casting massive rubber baits and trolling deep shorelines dominate the conversation, there is a highly effective tactic that remains heavily underutilized. One

S Steven Paul
Jodie Paul

Unleashing the Fall Frenzy: The Ultimate Northwoods Musky Guide

While looming cold fronts and chilly fall predictions are on the forefront of everyone's mind as the leaves begin to turn in the Northwoods, current trends are actually showing some beautifully stable conditions for autumn. This predictable weather pattern is shaping up to make October one of the mo

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early October 2026

A significant weather shift is finally delivering overnight lows down into the 30s, bringing frost and steadily cooling the local waters.MoreThe fall foliage is reaching its breathtaking peak across the Northwoods, signaling one of the most anticipated phases of the musky season for the upcoming wee

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

Chicago, Illinois-Style Grouse Sausage

Chicago, Illinois-Style Grouse SausageMoreIngredientsFor the Grouse Sausage (Frankfurter style)2 lbs boneless grouse meat (cleaned, all shot removed)1 lb pork fatback or fatty pork shoulder1/4 cup ice water1 tbsp Kosher salt1 tsp white pepper1 tsp smoked paprika1 tsp garlic powder1 tsp ground corian

J Jodie Paul
Jodie Paul

October Musky Magic: Tactics for Wisconsin’s Northwoods

As the leaves turn vibrant shades of amber and the crisp autumn air settles over Wisconsin, a very specific type of angler heads up to the Northwoods. October is hallowed ground for musky hunters. The water temperatures are dropping, the lakes are quieting down, and the apex predators of the north a

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late September 2026

Welcome back to another fishing update from the Musky Shop! As we push through late September here in North Central Wisconsin—specifically around Oneida and Vilas Counties—the transition into fall fishing is officially underway. We’ve had a revolving door of elite local guides and even a celebrity m

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

Kayak Fishing for Musky: A Beginner's Gear Breakdown

Chasing the fish of 10,000 casts from a kayak adds an entirely new level of adrenaline to the sport. Whether you're dissecting weed beds on Wisconsin Northwoods lakes or navigating the current of Pennsylvania rivers, hooking into a musky from a seated, water-level position is an unforgettable experi

J Jodie Paul
Jodie Paul

Decoding the Fall Transition: Ultimate Musky Tactics for Flowages and Reservoirs

As the heavy humidity of summer burns off and the crisp, cool air of autumn settles in, a dramatic shift occurs across the waterways of North America. The recreational boaters pack up for the season, the lakes grow quiet, and the apex predators of the freshwater begin their aggressive, cold-weather

J Jodie Paul
Jodie Paul

The Ultimate Late September Musky Playbook: Igniting the Topwater Bite

As the calendar turns toward the final days of September, a palpable shift takes place across musky country. The recreational boat traffic thins out, the morning air carries a brisk chill, and the foliage begins its vibrant, fiery transformation. For many anglers, the arrival of autumn signals an im

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early September 2026

Early September in the Northwoods of Wisconsin—specifically around Oneida and Vilas Counties—has brought a mix of high heat, humidity, and shifting weather patterns. Recent weeks featured consecutive days of temperatures soaring around 80°F with warm water temps holding steady in the low 70s. Howeve

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

Decoding the September Musky Puzzle: Northwoods Wisconsin Baitfish Movements

As the crisp, pine-scented air of September rolls across the Northwoods of Wisconsin, a dramatic transformation takes place beneath the surface. Across Vilas and Oneida Counties—home to some of the most famous musky waters in the Midwest—the summer pattern gives way to refreshing north winds and tum

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Minnesota Mix-Cheese Juicy Lucy Burger

Minnesota Mix-Cheese Juicy Lucy BurgerMoreThis version takes the 5-8 Club's thick-burger approach and combines the flawless melt of American cheese with the spicy kick of Pepper Jack to create a massive, bubbling molten core.Ingredients1.5 lbs ground beef (An 80/20 blend is essential for the right j

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

September Topwater Bite and Early Fall Mindset

As school buses start rolling and summer days begin to shorten, Northwoods musky anglers have just one thing on their mind: the September Transition. Muskies seem to keep time better than almost any other freshwater gamefish. Guided by eons of instinct, these massive predators start shifting their h

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Late August 2026

The late August bite is heating up across the Northwoods even as the water cools down. With shorter daylight and cooler nights dipping into the 40s and 50s, water temperatures have steadily dropped into the low 70s. This transition is triggering excellent action across multiple species. Here is your

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

How Weather Changes Environment and Patterns Late-August Muskies

Late August in the Northwoods is one of the most dynamic, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding periods on the musky calendar. The intense heat of high summer is beginning to wane, water temperatures are fluctuating, and the first crisp morning air signals that autumn is on the horizon. For musky an

J Jodie Paul
Jodie Paul

Downsizing Rubber Lures for Late-Summer Muskies

By late summer, musky lakes across the Northwoods have felt months of intense pressure. Apex predators have seen every heavy double-blade bucktail, high-speed topwater, and oversized lure imaginable. As surface temperatures peak and boat traffic reaches its seasonal high, muskies adapt quickly. They

J Jodie Paul
Jodie Paul

Navajo Lake: Utah's High-Alpine Tiger Musky Fishery

Heading to Utah with heavy tackle in tow? We may have the perfect destination for you. When most anglers think of Utah, they picture the red rock canyons of the south or the massive, deep-water reservoirs of the north. But tucked high up in the Dixie National Forest, sitting at a breathtaking elevat

J Jodie Paul
James Stewart

Musky Shop Northwoods Fishing Report: Early August 2026

As we push into the first full week of August, the Northwoods fishing scene is settling into a very productive mid-summer groove. After a stretch of warm, sticky weather, a few timely cold fronts and cool nights have brought water temperatures down to a much more fishable level. Most lakes are curre

J James Stewart
Jodie Paul

Traditional Northern Wisconsin Walleye Fish Boil

Traditional Northern Wisconsin Walleye Fish BoilMoreThe undisputed crown jewel of Northern Wisconsin summer dining that doesn't touch a deep fryer is the Wisconsin Fish Boil.Made famous across Door County and Northwoods lake country, a fish boil highlights the fresh, sweet flavor of wild-caught fish

J Jodie Paul