By Andrew Ragas Regarded as America’s hardest working river for its elaborate dam usage and flowage systems, the Wisconsin River is a boating minefield whose smallmouth bass fishing is best experienced with a jet boat. Aboard with Central Wisconsin River guide, Kurt Schultz, smallmouth bass fishing of world class proportions is a reality.

By Andrew Ragas Springtime conjures the thoughts of warming weather and water temperatures. In return, abundant schools of pre-spawn smallmouth bass invade the shallows to stage for spawn. This magnificent period of the year for fishing makes me forget winter, and neglect all other responsibilities for the upcoming weeks that follow.

By Andrew Ragas As the new season approaches, anglers are planning their trips and getaways for the upcoming year. With the Northwoods of Wisconsin serving as my home waters, I have been asked to offer an annual fishing calendar: To help traveling and adventurous anglers plan their fishing trips and vacations efficiently and more effectively.

By Andrew Ragas As the seasons undergo a change, a pattern often overlooked by northern bass anglers takes place. Beginning during the pre-turnover stages of the fall cooldown period, schools of yellow perch gravitate to shallow vegetation for sanctuary and feeding. On the prowl, hungry wolfpacks of smallmouths counter.

By Andrew Ragas In the year 1981, the British rock group, The Clash, wrote the number one single, “Should I Stay or Should I Go.” My trip partner for this adventure, Johnny Amato, and I kept singing the same question in early to mid summer 2014. Should I stay or should I go?

By Andrew Ragas During the dog days of summer on many north country lakes, big smallmouth bass become creatures of the night. When nighttime calls, and most anglers are asleep, the fish go nocturnal and feed.

By Andrew Ragas With pristine waters comes difficult decisions to entice big smallmouth bass. Finesse presentations aren’t required on every clear water fishery, but they greatly help with catching more fish and are a can’t-miss tactic, especially in mid summer.

By Andrew Ragas Bass anglers sometimes wonder why certain rivers of Wisconsin’s flowage belt fish best in spring and go unproductive in summer. Understanding the dynamics and little-studied stream migrations between river and reservoir smallmouth bass will help answer these questions.