Published by Steve Heiting
Fishing Hall of Famer Steve Heiting provides weekly discussions of musky patterns, fishing tips and reports, and upcoming musky fishing events in Wisconsin's northwoods region.
Listen on Apple Podcasts3 min
The extreme water temps of the past few weeks are easing, and in this week's Northwoods Musky Report Steve discusses ways to catch muskies as conditions improve. Also, Steve outlines patterns that typically work in Canada at this time and begins previewing the National Championship Musky Open.
2 min
Water temperatures were well into the 80s on northwoods lakes, and for the first time since he started producing his weekly musky reports Steve did not fish for muskies. Instead, he discusses what he does when water temps get too warm, and explains how his customers caught a lot of largemouth and smallmouth bass from northwoods lakes.
3 min
In this week's report, Steve celebrates the biggest musky of the season so far for one of his clients, and discusses the little things that seemed to matter for that and other muskies that were caught and released from his boat. He also discusses the rising water temps and suggests what to do if you encounter them this week.
3 min
With water temperatures warming in the Northwoods, Steve outlines the best methods for releasing muskies safely. But first he discusses current conditions as well as lures that have produced musky action.
3 min
In this week's report, Steve informally polled several musky guides and anglers and found that all are experiencing short feeding windows this year. Steve then discusses what feeding windows are and how to best make the most of them when they occur.
2 min
Water temperatures in northwoods lakes have fallen, and Steve discusses the lures and locational patterns that have been most effective. He reports on the results of a big weekend tournament and lists a variety of musky fishing events in the next few weeks.
3 min
Musky action is getting hot right now in weeds as well as deep water for suspended fish, and Steve reports on what's been working. He also discusses what happened during the University of Esox Musky School held in St. Germain, and lists upcoming musky events in the northwoods.
2 min
The big warmup has water temps climbing, yet muskies are still a little behind with some still paired up and spawning. Steve reports on the conditions and lures that are working, and discusses a couple big musky events coming up in the next few weeks.
3 min
The traditional musky season opener was Memorial Day weekend, and Steve and two friends enjoyed terrific musky action. Steve reveals the lures and patterns that paid off.
3 min
While fishing for walleyes and smallmouth bass, Steve and his son stumbled into a small musky frenzy and reports on what they caught. Then, he describes how to easily find post-spawn muskies.
3 min
In this week's report, Steve lists his top five musky baits for early season fishing, and adds a couple honorable mentions that aren't well known to the masses. He also provides an update on state funding for the DNR's musky stocking efforts.
3 min
Steve and his son Brant enjoyed a great 2026 walleye opener, and Steve explains how they caught their fish. Then, he provides updates about the movement to restore the Memorial Day Musky Opener in northern Wisconsin, and calls out the Wisconsin legislature for hampering musky stocking efforts.
4 min
In his first Northwoods Musky Report for the season, Steve discusses local conditions as the Wisconsin fishing opener approaches. Since walleyes will be the main focus for most anglers on the opener, Steve provides tips from two of the best northwoods walleye guides. Musky fishing season will also be open in the northwoods on Saturday thanks to a rule change, and Steve explains why he and other guides are going to bypass muskies for a couple weeks.
3 min
Heavy rain and east winds made fishing a little uncomfortable, but Steve and his guests enjoyed five days in a row with muskies in the boat. One angler visiting from Ohio had a hot hand, and Steve reveals how he caught his fish. Finally, Steve previews the WWIA Eagle River Chal-Lunge, as well as other tournaments coming up.
3 min
This week, Steve opens with a live report after his son-in-law, Collin Johnson, caught his first musky during a northwoods visit. Steve then explains the fish’s location and the lure selection that got it to bite. Next, he discusses current conditions, and ends by listing a number of big musky events that are coming in the next two weeks.
3 min
The calendar says it’s still summer, but Mother Nature ushered in fall in a hurry with a massive cold front. But the muskies didn’t care and the results were great. In this report, Steve discusses what worked and what didn’t, and explains how he and a buddy enjoyed one of the most intense feeding windows he’s ever seen.
2 min
Musky action is occurring during short feeding windows, and in this week’s report Steve discusses ways to take full advantage of them when they happen. He also discusses current conditions and what’s happening on northwoods lakes.
3 min
Cool overnight temperatures have sent water temps downward, and it’s the start of Steve’s favorite time for fishing muskies. He describes various patterns that will work in coming weeks, and describes how a client caught a memorable fish.
4 min
One of the surest signs of the coming of fall is when muskies move into shoreline weedbeds, and this was very evident during the National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River. As tournament MC, Steve interviews the top anglers on stage. In this week’s report, he discusses their winning patterns.
4 min
It’s the week of the National Championship Musky Open in Eagle River, and Steve previews the conditions tournament anglers will see. He also discusses how money raised by the Musky Clubs Alliance has benefited Wisconsin’s musky fishery. Finally, he explains how anglers can make the most of boatside musky opportunities.