Steve Heiting's Northwoods Musky Report

It's the start of fall, and as our northwoods lakes change with the season the practice of "lake hopping" becomes more important. In this week's Northwoods Musky Report, Steve reveals what's working for pre-turnover muskies right now and then explains how lake hopping can save your day if action is slow once you get on the water.

The weather was warm for the Labor Day weekend, but the full moon had muskies biting. Steve reports the muskies are in shallow water for the pre-turnover period, and reveals the bucktail and topwater nuances that made a difference.

After all of the successful anglers in the National Championship Musky Open caught their fish from shallow weeds, Steve uses this week's episode of his Northwoods Musky Report to explain how you can target it, too.

In this week's Northwoods Musky Report, Steve discusses the results of the National Championship Musky Open and how almost all of the successful anglers found their fish in shallow weeds.

In this week's Northwoods Musky Report, Steve discusses fishing action and lists the lures that have produced best for him this year. But first, he previews the National Championship Musky Open, the largest musky tournament anywhere and the major fundraiser for Wisconsin's fishery.

One week into August and the musky "bite" in Wisconsin's northwoods remains very good, including the open water window Steve predicted last week. And, in response to a listener's question, Steve explains how he tunes jerkbaits that don't run quite "right."

In this week's episode, Steve discusses the current musky bite (hint: it's good) and explains why using O.G. baits can be very productive (and yes, he looked it up).

Steve reports from Sandy's Blackhawk Island Camp on Lake of the Woods at the conclusion of the University of Esox Canada Musky Adventure. He then explains how fishing elsewhere can make you a better angler when you return to Wisconsin.

When northwoods musky waters get busy with fishing and boating traffic, Steve turns to wilderness lakes and streams. In this week's report, he explains what he looks for in such waters.

Steve begins his weekly report discussing the good fishing action of early July, and then explains how he systematically breaks down larger musky waters when trying to learn their secrets.

Steve begins with a live report following the capture of an angler's first musky, which was caught on a minnowbait. He then explains how you can really make this lure type dance.

Steve begins this week's report with a live recording following the capture of the biggest tiger musky ever in his boat, and then reveals the fish's history. He then explains the tools everyone should have in their boat to successfully release muskies, and discusses current conditions.

Steve starts this week's episode with a live, on-the-water report following the capture of a big northwoods musky. Then, he discusses what happened at the University of Esox Musky School as well as the patterns he experienced during the week.

In this week's episode, Steve discusses short feeding windows seen so far in 2023, and how to predict them. He also discusses his top lure for the year so far, as well as current conditions.

Steve discusses season-opening musky action and patterns from the beautiful Memorial Day weekend.

Twins Joel and Jake Weeks joined Steve and produced a four-musky day while fishing in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and Steve offers a live, on-the-water report. Then, Steve discusses his plans for Wisconsin's northwoods musky opener.

Walleyes and crappies are biting, but Steve has muskies on the brain. In this week's report, he reveals his top five lures for catching early season muskies, and explains why they are his favorites.

This week, Steve reports on what may have been the best fishing opener he's ever enjoyed. He then discusses early season patterns to prepare you for when the northwoods musky season opens May 27th.

Steve goes on a hunt for open water in anticipation of northern Wisconsin's fishing opener. Since musky season in the north doesn't open until May 27, Steve then discusses a great tip to get more action from your early season musky baits.

In his final Northwoods Musky Report for the year, Steve reports on the catching of two big muskies, including one which could be the largest in his boat for the season. He also explains turnover, a factor which confuses many anglers.

Steve reports live from the water following a three-musky day that was a perfect example of what pre-turnover pattern fishing is all about. 

A minnowbait is one of the most effective lures for weed-tight muskies. Steve explains how he flutters and steers his minnowbaits through thick weeds — a technique which can yield some of the most savage strikes of the season.

Fall is coming, yet current conditions haven't changed much. With bucktails currently being highly effective, Steve provides advice for their use, and explains how he triggered a big fish that required a figure-8 effort that went beyond anything he's ever done.

It's September, and fall musky fishing is fast approaching. In this episode, Steve explains how to base your presentation and locational approach according to water temperature.

In this week's Northwoods Musky Report, Steve interviews the boat winner from the National Championship Musky Open, and then reveals what was caught as well as the best pattern found by the nearly 1,200 anglers who fished the event.

Steve predicts a good musky bite as he previews the National Championship Musky Open, and provides an update on the conditions you can expect to see in northern Wisconsin.

Based on 30-plus years of teaching musky fishing schools, Steve discusses three common-yet-correctable mistakes he sees many anglers make. 

Steve starts with a live report after two muskies were caught, and then explains the tactics that worked in the cold front conditions faced that day.

Water temperatures are creeping up, and Steve begins by reminding anglers to minimize musky stress to ensure their release. Then he discusses why crankbaits have been so effective this season, and how he fishes them.

The largest musky to date for the season hits the net in Steve's boat, and he describes the clues he saw as the feeding window developed. Current conditions are also discussed.

Fast-moving weather systems, lots of wind, and cool nights have resulted in a frustrating musky bite for many anglers fishing the northwoods. In this week's episode, Steve provides tips to turn your season around.

The northwoods musky "bite" is becoming more consistent in time for the July 4 holiday. Mid-lake humps and breaklines are producing the most consistent action.

The largest musky for the year so far in Steve's boat, the largest hooked so far, and the largest seen from his boat have all occurred in the past few days. Steve reports on what's providing the big fish action. 

Cold nights are producing short feeding windows. Steve Heiting begins with a live report, and then returns to the studio to discuss what to watch for to catch muskies when those windows occur.

Weather and water are warming up, and summer musky patterns are getting underway — including the topwater bite!

Steve discusses a soggy Northwoods musky opener in a live report, and then explains the patterns that were most productive during the first few days of the musky season.

Wisconsin's northern zone musky season opens Saturday, May 28, and Steve discusses current conditions and reveals his musky game plan for the weekend.

The northwoods musky season is looming and Steve previews the May 28th opener. He also reports  the results of the Indiana Muskie Classic.

You can't beat a fishing trip to the northwoods, but when musky season is still closed you can travel to fish in southern locales. In this week's episode, Steve discusses his upcoming trip to Indiana and how learning tactics that were refined elsewhere can make you a better angler back home.

In his first segment for 2022, Steve discusses the upcoming fishing opener and how it relates to the recent vote to change the northern zone musky opening date, gives a lake ice status update, explains how you can catch spawning walleyes (many musky anglers will be fishing for them this week), provides the details of a great early season musky pattern, and announces his new YouTube channel as well as his plan for recording some radio reports on the water.

In his final report of the 2021 season, Steve explains current fishing patterns, reports on the Wounded Warriors event in Eagle River, provides tournament results, and discusses what he learned during the 2021 season. 

In this week's episode, Steve reports on recent action and big fish, and discusses the Wounded Warriors In Action Muskie Chal-Lunge in Eagle River.

As water temperatures cool, everything in your tackle box will work. When the water temp hits 60, it's time to add livebait to your presentation, and Steve discusses the important use of quick-strike rigs.

Steve discusses hot lures and locations for mid-September, and reports on his Canadian fishing trip of the week before.

Steve reveals what it's like behind the scenes filming an episode of The Musky Hunter TV show in northern Wisconsin with host Jim Saric.

Steve reports the patterns that produced the 102 muskies for the 1,279 anglers who fished the National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River.

As northwoods lakes bloom up, Steve discusses current patterns for success, including tips to make your surface baits louder and more obvious.

It's the beginning of the end of summer in the northwoods, and Steve discusses how to catch muskies as they move shallow. It's his favorite time of the year to catch big muskies.