Living the Dream Fishing Guide Service
Where we fish / techniques
Jim fishes the lakes of Vilas and Oneida county from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to Harshaw and from Lac du Flambeau to Forest County. Jim has a good working knowledge of 106 lakes in this area and that number continues to expand. Whether it be panfish, bass , walleye , northern, musky, or white fish, Jim has experience with all species. 53 years of fishing a variety of waters from the Great Lakes to fly in lakes in northern Ontario to small streams of SW Wisconsin have allowed Jim to develop a wide array of techniques. Jim will suggest the best techniques for the situation whether it be casting swim baits, jigs or crankbaits , slip bobbering, trolling, drop shotting, ned rigging or vertical jigging.
Musky
Best Times: August through November.

Vilas and Oneida county have hundreds of lakes with musky living in their depths. There is no greater thrill than to catch a large musky. Jim uses a variety of techniques to get the elusive musky to bite. His favorite method is using live bait for muskies. They can be effective throughout the season but really shine in the fall when water temperatures fall below 55 degrees.
Walleye
Best Times: May-June, October.

The walleye is prized for it's golden fillets. It can be taken with a myriad of techniques but usually bites best when light penetration into the water is low. That can be due to low light, clouds, waves or dark water. Jim will show you some unorthodox techniques to catch walleye.
Bass- Smallmouth and Largemouth
Best Times: May - October.

One of the gems of the northwoods is the trophy smallmouth fishing. Every year numerous 20" + fish are caught in Jim's boat. Largemouth are numerous in most of the smaller lakes and provide hours of rod bending action. Unknown to many is the fact that smallmouth love warm water and will go on feeding tears during warm spells.
Whitefish and Lake Trout-
Best times- late Oct.- Nov., LT- May-June
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Relatively untapped resource. Vertical jigging for whitefish in late fall and winter is a blast. This hard fighting and great eating fish has a generous limit of 10 fish. Lake trout are incidental catches in the fall. Limits of whitefish caught in 90% of trips in 2020. There is nothing like the power runs of a big lake trout on light tackle.