NORTHERN LAKES. 29 



The best season for muskalonge fishing here, as well as all other 

 lakes in this region, is from May 20th to July 1st, and from Aug. 

 20th to Oct. 20th. The bass season is from about June 10th to 

 Oct. 15th. 



At MONICO a few miles above Pelican, the sportsman bound 

 for Lakes George and Thompson diverges from the main line by 

 taking a branch road, "which carries him to a station near these 

 lakes, or to RHINELANDER, a brisk little city, three miles be- 

 yond. 



Resuming our way up the main line we first pass CLEAR 

 WATER LAKE, said to be an excellent fishing ground. 



Six miles further and we come to EAGLE RIVER STATION, 

 a town of considerable expectations. It is a very desirable location 

 for sportsmen, being situated on the Eagle River and in the midst 

 of a magnificent chain of lakes known as the EAGLE WATERS. 

 There are twenty-six lakes, large and small, included in the Eagle 

 series ; some are extremely beautiful, while all are literally 

 alive with bass, pike, pickerel, perch and muskalonge. The latter 

 is said to excel all previous records elsewhere. However that may 

 be, we know they are extraordinarily plentiful and of the finest 

 flavor. Sportsmen will find the best of accommodation at Eagle 

 River, and can engage from Messrs. Perry & Lawler, Indian guides, 

 boats, etc., for tours either through the Eagle Waters or for more 

 distant points. Both of these gentlemen are personally acquainted 

 with every stream and lake in this section of the State. 



Among the numerous lakes north of Eagle Waters is the historic 

 " LAC VIEUX DESERT," and upon an island in this lake early 

 French explorers found not only an existing Indian village but the 

 remains of an ancient city and large garden beds; these latter giving 

 the vicinity its name the "Lake of the deserted gardens" translated 

 into French, "Lac Vieux Desert." 



The Wisconsin River here finds its true source, although the 

 waters of a thousand lakes augment its volume as it moves along, 

 sometimes sweetly serene, again turbulent and rapid, in its course. 



To mention the names even of the larger and finer lakes "where 

 there are so many, would prove of little or no benefit, as name is 

 nothing; it is the lakes that produce the fish and game that the 

 sportsman goes to see. 



A favorite trip with sportsmen is to follow down the Wisconsin 

 River from Lac Vieux Desert, to where the Eagle River joins the 



