RiverMoon Guide Service

I am a part-time fishing guide and a full-time elementary physical education teacher with a master's degree and over 33 years of teaching experience. I have fished on the Wisconsin River for over 33 years and I have been guiding for 12 years. I have a real passion for fishing and average 120 days on the water every year. I am certified in First Aid and CPR and have training in life saving and boating. I take pride in being professional, safety-conscious, knowledgeable, honest, and conservation-oriented. I enjoy teaching others the skills and tactics that are essential to becoming a successful angler.

I also enjoy fishing musky tournaments when I am not booked for guiding. In 2004 I entered the Petenwell Musky Challenge with one of my fishing partners Mike Young. I was fortunate enough to put two muskies in the boat; a 45" and a 37" fish. The fish pictures are the first two in my Musky Photo Gallery. Thanks to superb netting by my partner, the results were a 1st place finish as shown in the photo to the right.

Rates

$225 for a full day (9 hours)

$125 for a half day (4 hours)

50% deposit preferred

Gift Certificates are available

What to Expect

*An enjoyable as well as educational angling experience on the beautiful Wisconsin River.

*Knowledgeable and friendly service for beginners as well as experienced anglers.

*Potential for trophy fish. The Wisconsin River Flowages in central Wisconsin have recently produced record class muskies, including a 53-inch world line class record. At least two 56-inchers and a number of 40-pounders have been documented in the last 10 years. Smallmouth bass, walleyes, channel catfish, and crappies are also available.

*Good chance to view river wildlife such as deer, beaver, otter, mink, bald eagles, osprey, cormorants, blue herons, turkeys, sandhill cranes, and many species of waterfowl and song birds.

*Fully equipped 18' Skeeter powered by 150hp outboard. This rig is modern, safe, stable, and comfortable for up to three anglers. All fishing equipment is provided, if necessary.

*A quality angling experience. Fast action and trophy fish cannot be guaranteed on every trip, but you will be treated to an educational and pleasurable day on the water.

What to Bring

*Appropriate clothing for the weather conditions

*Rain Gear

*Polarized Sunglasses

*Fishing License

*Camera

*Lunch & Snacks

*Fishing Tackle

What You Will Learn

*Secret locations and tactics for rivers and flowages.

*How to read current and identify productive river structure.

*Effective boat control methods.

*Proper use of electronics to maximize success.

*Latest productive presentations for muskies, walleyes, bass, and catfish.

*Proper methods of releasing fish to insure survival.

Catch & Release Policy

I am totally committed to the concepts of catch-and-release and selective harvest in order to sustain quality fishing for the future. I maintain a mandatory release policy for all muskies and smallmouth bass. If possible, I prefer to release large specimens of all species of fish. I encourage the purchase of graphite replicas when trophy mounts are desired.

Educational Presentations

I enjoy doing presentations to clubs and groups. I have several PowerPoint and traditional slide presentations available on freshwater fishing.
I have done several presentations for clubs and businesses throughout Wisconsin and Illinois.

Sunset on the Wisconsin River

Angling Experience

In addition to fishing on the Wisconsin River and its flowages for over 30 years, I have also fished various northern Wisconsin lakes and rivers. Over the past 25 years, I have made dozens of trips to the Canadian wilderness to explore many of the world-class musky fisheries including: Lac Seul, Lake of the Woods, the Winnipeg River system, the Pipestone/Clearwater Chain, the Upper Manitou, Rowan Lake, Wabigoon, and Eagle Lake.

My Thoughts On The Sport Of Fishing

To me, fishing is a passion. I eagerly look forward to time spent on the water and I never get tired of pursuing critters with fins. I'm not trying to prove anything; I just enjoy the whole outdoor experience. I thrive on the challenge of putting together the pieces of the angling puzzle and I still get a thrill every time I feel a tug on the end of my line.

Fishing has been a life long learning process for me. I learn something new on every fishing trip. I love being outdoors and it makes me feel good when I can share my time and skills with others. For me, time spent on the water with family, friends, or amicable clients, is quality time.

Many times I'm successful at catching respectable fish and some times I strike out. But, no matter what happens, I am able to keep things in perspective and have fun!

One thing that is really special about the sport of fishing is that anyone can participate regardless of age, physical stature, financial status, or other barriers. You can make the sport as simple or as complicated as you want. You can participate at your own level and have fun doing it. Like my brother says, "Being out on the water fishing is living, everything else is waiting!"

Mike Lazers

My Favorite Quotes

I enjoy humorous as well as meaningful and witty quotes. Following are selections about fishing and life in general.

"They don't wear jerseys, man. To play a sport, you have to wear a jersey."
Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos running back, when asked if fishing is a sport.

"Fishing is not a matter of life and death. It's more important than that!"
Unknown

"Work is something that I do between fishing trips."
Unknown

"Being out on the water fishing is living, everything else is waiting."
Jake Lazers

"The person who rows the boat usually doesn't have time to rock it"
Unknown

"Today, to catch fish consistently, it requires considerable angling skill and biological knowledge."
Al Lindner

"You gotta sink before you can swim."
Al Lindner

"Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity."
Lou Holtz

"Whoever lives is always learning."
Giovanni Battista Gelli

"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."
Babe Ruth

"Don't let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do."
John Wooden

"If you don't invest much, then defeat doesn't hurt very much and winning is not very exciting."
Dick Vermeil

"Wherever you are, be there."
Unknown

"The strength of the pack is in the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is in the pack."
Rudyard Kipling

"The greatest mistake in life is to be continually fearing you will make a mistake."
Elbert Hubbard

"Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."
Confucius

"To improve is to change, to succeed is to change often."
Churchill

"There would be nothing to frighten you if you refused to be afraid."
Gandhi

"Life can only disappoint you if you let it."
Mark Hopkins

"Always doing what you always did means you'll always get what you always got."
Dick Pearson

"If you fish like everyone else, your results will be like everyone else's-average."
Spence Petros

"If you're not one step ahead, you're usually one step behind."
Spence Petros

Meet Mike Lazers