Engbretson Underwater Photography

3D Fish Pictures Return to Sport Shows

2012-02-08T12:54:00.002-06:00

Award Winning 3D Picture "Exploring Smallmouth"

Our Award-winning 3D Fish Pictures return to the Midwest sport show circuit starting this weekend. If you visit the Milwaukee Musky Expo this weekend, be sure to look for the 3D Picture Store booth. Jay Garstecki (pictured above) will be on site and happy to show you our current line-up of amazing 3D fish prints. The 3D effect is truly astounding. It's "like holding an aquarium in your hands". Prints for sale at this show include muskie, walleye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and panfish in sizes small and large. Prints can be purchased singly or beautifully matted and framed in barn wood.

These prints won the best of show award at the 2011 ICAST in the giftware category!

Look for the 3D Picture Store and our amazing underwater fish images this weekend at the Milwaukee Musky Expo and February 24-26, 2012 at the Madison Fishing Expo.

Rare Lake Whitefish Underwater Images!

2012-01-26T15:34:00.000-06:00

Lake Whitefish Underwater (c)Paul Vecsei

Engbretson Underwater Photography now represents the work of Paul Vecsei:

I'm proud to announce that Engbretson Underwater Photography is now representing selected images of photographer Paul Vecsei. Paul's underwater images of Lake Whitefish and Cisco are without a doubt the finest images of these species ever taken in their natural habitat. Paul has a fisheries science background which makes him uniquely able to understand the behaviors and habitat requirements of these fish and beautifully capture their magnificence in his stunning photos. Whitefish and Cisco are two of the most difficult species of freshwater fish to photograph in their natural environment but Paul has done a masterful job. His images of Arctic Grayling, Lake Trout, Chum Salmon, Cisco, Lake Whitefish and many others are now available for licensing at www.underwaterfishphotos.com
Welcome aboard Paul!

2012 Underwater Bass Calendar

2011-12-06T17:05:00.001-06:00

For 2012, I've put together a dozen of my favorite underwater largemouth bass images into a calendar that's now available. If you're interested in purchasing one, click here.
You can view the calendar and scoll through every month below.

Lake Sturgeon Survey

2011-11-18T10:59:00.001-06:00

David Sweet holds a Lake Sturgeon during the annual sturgeon survey conducted on Legend Lake, Menominee County, Wisconsin.

I recently spent a couple of days on Legend Lake with folks from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and Menominee Tribal fish biologists. They were conducting their annual survey of Lake Sturgeon. Using gill nets, they captured many Lake Sturgeon which were subsequently measured, weighed and tagged with electronic IDs before they were released.

Lake Sturgeon are regularly stocked in Legend Lake and data collected from recaptured and captured fish provides information on growth, movement patterns and health of the fish. Continued success of population assessment data allows the tribe to make accurate management decisions in lake sturgeon management. Currently, there is an abundance of Lake Sturgeon roaming the waters of the Legend Lake Chain. For more information, contact Menominee Tribal Conservation Department fisheries biologist Don Reiter at djreiter@mitw.org

To see more pictures of this work, click here to view images in my Fisheries Management Gallery.

Lake Michigan Salmon Getting Bigger

2011-10-30T13:25:00.000-05:00

Chinook Salmon swimming up a Lake Michigan tributary stream during the fall spawning run.

Returning Salmon in Lake Michigan appear to be in great shape in 2011 according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Fisheries manager Scott Hansen reports that the Chinook return at Door County's Strawberry Creek took a very positive turn after generally declining trends in recent years of numbers and size of fish returning to the weir. "We handled approximately 5,400 Chinooks over 6 harvest days this season. Our hatchery system collected about 2.3 million eggs for next year's Chinook stocking efforts. The improved physical condition of the fish has yet to be quantified but was quite evident while handling fish throughout the run. The average size of eggs increased considerably this year from last year, another encouraging sign. Although some increased numbers of fish stocked at Strawberry Creek the last couple years can account for some of the increase in returns, the remainder is simply a higher proportion of fish returning."

I was able to photograph many of the returning fish and the images can be viewed in my salmon gallery.

Underwater Smallmouth Bass in 3D wins Best of Show at 2011 ICAST

2011-07-16T22:55:00.002-05:00

"Exploring Smallmouth", wins Best of Show Award for Best New Giftware Product at 2011 ICAST Show.

I'm thrilled to announce that my underwater image of a smallmouth bass produced as a 3D image by the 3-D Picture Store Inc. won a "Best in Show" Award-Giftware category at the 2011 ICAST Show in Las Vegas. This is a pretty impressive honor and my partners at 3-D Picture Store are as thrilled as I am. I think this recognition will help to generate widespread distribution for our entire line of amazing underwater fish pictures in 3-D. Stay tuned for further updates. To order this product or others in our line, visit 3-D Picture Store.com

More on the ICAST Show:
ICAST 2011 featured 427 exhibitors filling 1,270 booths, with 2,100 buyers and 530 media representatives in attendance. International ICAST attendance continues to increase with 822 attendees from 53 countries represented at the show.
The New Product Showcase "Best of Show" Awards
Making up a special section of ICAST's 400,000-square-foot show floor, the New Product Showcase provides unique visibility for the latest innovations in sportfishing gear and accessories. The submitted products compete in the "Best of Show" competition where buyers and media members judge each new product. This year, the Showcase included 21 categories.
2011 ICAST New Product Showcase Award Winners
Best of Show – Giftware - 3D Picture Store, Inc., 3D "Exploring Smallmouth" Picture
Best of Show – Apparel - Frabill, Inc., Frabill Suit
Best of Show – Boat - Hobie Cat, Hobie Mirage Revolution 11
Best of Show - Boating Accessory - JL Marine Systems, Inc., 10 Ft Power-Pole Blade Edition
Best of Show – Combo - Daiwa Corporation, Daiwa D-Shock DSH-4Bi Combo
Best of Show – Electronics - Johnson Outdoors Marine Electronics, Humminbird 1158c DI Combo
Best of Show - Eyewear – Costa, Costa Women's Collection
Best of Show - Fishing Accessory - G. Pucci & Sons, Inc., P-Line Sparrowhawk
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Accessory – VestPac, DriftPac
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Reel - Temple Fork Outfitters, BVK Fly Reel
Best of Show - Fly Fishing Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., Pro4x
Best of Show - Freshwater Reel - Pure Fishing, Inc., Abu Garcia Revo MGX
Best of Show - Freshwater Rod - G. Loomis, Inc., GL2

North Lakeland Discovery Center

2011-07-08T08:42:00.000-05:00

I'll be doing another presentation at the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters, WI on Tuesday August 2nd at 8PM. In a brief 1 hour presentation, I'll be showing some of my underwater fish pictures and talking about what I see underwater in the lakes and rivers of Northern Wisconsin. For more information, please click here.

Lake Tomahawk Muskie on Cover of June 2011 Muskie Magazine

2011-06-07T14:01:00.001-05:00

Reprinted from Muskie Magazine, the membership publication of Muskie Inc.
About the COVER:

For the fourth time in the past six years our cover features an underwater muskie photo taken by Eric Engbretson. This one is a tiger muskie photographed in Lake Tomahawk, Oneida County, Wisconsin in early May last year. The size of a fish is always hard to estimate underwater where everything looks about 25% bigger, but this one is around 40 inches. Eric wrote, “This fish was a real trooper, a very cooperative model that stayed mostly in one place while I took many pictures. We probably spent 15 to 20 minutes together eye to eye, and she waited patiently while I composed every shot. Every once in a while you meet a fish that behaves like a super model for you. It’s almost like they want their picture taken and they seem to pose for the camera.” Eric also pointed out an interesting thing about this fish; the jaw, on the right side, has a distinct indentation - possibly an old hook injury or perhaps a deformity? We hope you enjoy this intriguing underwater photo of a unique muskie. Eric Engbretson is a professional underwater photographer specializing in images of freshwater game fish in their natural habitat. You can visit his site to view many other fascinating underwater photos: http://www.underwaterfishphotos.com/

Living on the Lake Magazine Interview

2011-05-31T20:42:00.001-05:00

For the May 2011 issue of Living on the Lake Magazine, writer Laurie Lenten interviewed me about my work. I thought she did a masterful job of telling the complicated story of what I do, and how it all began. Since so many people ask me how I got started, I thought I'd reprint Laurie's article here.

* (c)2011 Journal Community Publishing Group, reproduced with permission.

Northwoods Photographer Captures The World We Don't See
By Laurie Lenten

As a child, Eric Engbretson would sit for hours and stare into his father’s aquariums, imagining what it would be like to be in there, under the water, swimming about with the tropical fish. A child’s fantasy, to be sure.

Until that summer day in 1993, says Eric, when he was sitting on his porch just looking at the small lake on which he lives in Florence and, “For some reason, I noticed how clear the water was.” Whether an epiphany sparked by the natural surroundings or a simple act of fate, Eric soon found himself at a local chain store buying a swim mask and fins. “It was a complete disaster,” he remembers of the buy-on-the-fly equipment, but once in the water his attentions turned elsewhere and he says, “I couldn’t believe the clarity and the beauty.”
Ill-fitting equipment aside, Eric was hooked. “I started going into the water more and more, and thought, ‘I need to get photos of this,’” he says, recalling when the seed of a new career option was planted in an off-handed sort of way. “I bought a $20 underwater camera and it was another total disaster. The camera leaked, the photos were awful, but I thought to myself, ‘You know what, with the proper equipment, I bet this could work.’”

It was a long shot, considering Eric had no formal training in either photography or underwater diving. At the time, he was working in radio broadcasting, which was a far cry from working anywhere on, near, or in the water, let alone under it. “I wasn’t happy with my job. Things in radio had changed so much from when I first got my start in the late ‘70s and I just didn’t like it very much anymore. I wanted to do something different, but I didn’t know what it was I wanted to do,” he says.

Armed with a copy of Writer’s Digest, Eric says it intrigued him to discover that lots of magazines paid money for photos. It intrigued him even more when he started looking at the fishing magazines he was prone to read and discovered that many of them expressed an interest in buying underwater photographs.

“That’s when the light went on and I realized that I could be the guy to take the photos for these guys. So I bought better equipment and with that better equipment, I got better awful photos,” he says.

Time, a photographer’s best friend, is what he needed, which is what led him to leave the radio industry altogether in 1997. But economic reality set in quickly, making it clear that man cannot live on selling a few underwater fish photos here and there alone. “I took a job as a night desk clerk in a hotel, but after a few years of that, I realized I needed more time for taking photos.”

In 2007, Eric quit his part-time job and has made his living ever since then with underwater photography alone. "I was convinced I could do it and I was right. The more time you have to devote to taking photos, the better you get. To make a living at this, you have to do it full-time.”
These days, Eric spends about seven months out of the year underwater in the lakes and rivers of the upper Midwest, immersed in the business of photographing fish in their natural environment. “In the early days I was just snorkeling in shallow water and taking photos, and I realized that I needed to get deeper,” he says. “But I was told that you couldn’t become a certified diver if you couldn’t swim. I couldn’t swim, I still can’t.”

Being a tenacious do-it-yourselfer, Eric set about looking for other ways to dive deeper and longer without being certified. “I found a guy in Florida that sells what’s called the Super Snorkel, which is basically a Honda engine that sits on a truck tire inner tube. The engine powers a compressor that pumps air 30, 60, 90 feet down. It’s also very safe compared to earlier models of this type. I can stay underwater for five hours on a quart of gas.”
Eric still uses his Super Snorkel, even though today he is a certified diver complete with the tools of his trade–wet suit, weights and a regulator. “It allows me more freedom to move about without using heavy air tanks,” he says. Most of the work Eric does is at depths of between 12 and 17 feet because ambient surface light is so important to capturing the stunning photos he takes.

Also important to his work are ample doses of patience because, as Eric says, fish in the wild (or any fish for that matter) don’t exactly strike a pose, and a working knowledge of lakes and rivers. “I have certain lakes where I know the fish are that I need. I don’t work on assignment, I take stock photographs that publications and people buy from me, so I am free to shoot any number of types of fish.”

Moving freely about the waters of northern and northwestern Wisconsin, the Upper Peninsula, lower Michigan and Door County, as well as southern waters in the Ozarks, Eric captures fish in their seasons and the habitats in which they live. His work is up close and personal, revealing a watery underworld that is rarely seen. “Most of a lake, like a tree, is hidden. We only see the surface,” says Eric.

Under that surface, however, is a world teeming with life. It was that world that Eric was asked to share with visitors in April at this year’s Wisconsin Lakes Convention in Green Bay. Titled “A Fish Eye View of Lake Life,” Eric’s slide presentation focused on how people can protect and enhance lake habitat. “I have never been to a lakes convention in Wisconsin before and I felt like a fish out of water. I’m just a guy with a camera. I just document what I see.”

And Eric says what he’s seeing are lakes in flux. “I never see the same thing twice. There are a lot of changes going on in our lakes. Some are clearer, some are not. There are a lot of natural cycles, which means things are constantly different.”

Working from his own experience and reading what he needs to know as he goes along, Eric considers the lakes of Vilas and Oneida counties his ‘office’ Monday through Friday, April through October. Some of his favorites include Two Sisters, Hasbrook, Big Carr and Dorothy. “Two Sisters’ clarity improves as the year goes on, while Sugar Camp Lake is crystal clear, but devoid of structure. Arbor Vitae, on the other hand, is filled with fish, but is very unclear. So clarity doesn’t always go hand-in-hand with finding fish,” he says.

But find them he does and, says Eric, a lot of the shots he gets are a matter of pure luck. “You don’t have all day to consider composition. You can’t get a fish to pose, so you just get the shot the best you can. Pictures, however, never do justice to what you actually see down there. It is truly amazing.”

Eric’s photos are proof enough of that. For more information on Eric’s work, log onto underwaterfishphotos.com.

Laurie Lenten is a freelance writer living in Rhinelander.

Musky Hunter Uses 3D Image on Cover of June/July 2011 Issue

2011-05-13T13:15:00.001-05:00

From Musky Hunter Magazine:

Subscribers of Musky Hunter magazine have been treated to a free three-dimensional image affixed to the cover of the June/July 2011 issue. “The image is courtesy of 3D Picture Store, Inc., the newest and most unique outdoor art company to hit the picture world in a long time,” said Musky Hunter Editor Jim Saric. “With the 3D movie craze going on all across America, founder Jay Garstecki decided to combine his passion for the outdoors and open 3D Picture Store.”

3D Picture Store introduced its first set of four freshwater fish prints at the Milwaukee Muskie Expo in February 2011. “The response was overwhelming,” said Garstecki. “We now have six freshwater titles including two musky images, as well as others featuring largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye and panfish.”

The three-dimensional image is called a lenticular. It is reverse-printed on thin, durable plastic, will last forever, and is manufactured in the United States. You do not need 3D glasses to view one.

3D Picture Store is developing new images including trout, salmon, northern pike, catfish and saltwater fish, and plans to have them ready for the ICast trade show in July 2011.

To see 3D Picture Store’s full lineup, visit www.3DPictureStore.com. 3D Pictures are also available at select Gander Mountain stores. Both framed and unframed versions of each image are available in two different sizes.

Newsstand copies of Musky Hunter feature the 3D Picture Store image, but in a two-dimensional format. Copies of the June/July issue with the 3D cover are available from Musky Hunter while supplies last. Call 1-800-23-MUSKY.

Minnesota Waters

2011-04-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

Minnesota Waters 2011 Lakes and Rivers Convention:

I've been invited to speak at the annual 2011 Minnesota Waters Lakes and River Convention with my pal Pat Rivers from the Minnesota DNR and Midwest Glacial Lakes Partnership. Pat's a great guy and our talk is intended to call attention to fish habitat-why it's important, and what lake-front property owners can do to protect, preserve and enhance it.

"Learn about the importance of a healthy lake from a fish’s perspective! Noted underwater photographer Eric Engbretson will discuss and illustrate what fish need in a lake to be happy, healthy, and abundant. Then DNR Fisheries Biologist Pat Rivers will provide ideas for behaviors, projects, and advocacy that citizens can undertake to maintain and improve fish habitat in their local lake or stream. Pat will also discuss funding and technical assistance that may be available to citizen groups, as well as current and planned projects for improving fish habitat."

The conference is April 27-29, 2011 in St. Cloud, MN.

2011 Wisconsin Lakes Convention

2011-03-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

The annual Wisconsin Lakes Convention is an event I've always wanted to go to. This year, I've been asked to present a selection of my underwater fish pictures and talk a bit about what I see underwater in the many lakes I visit. I'm really thrilled to be speaking to such a passionate and knowledgeable group. The Wisconsin Lakes Convention is April 12-14, 2011 in Green Bay. For more information and the full agenda, click here.

3-D Fish Prints Are Selling Like Hotcakes!

2011-02-27T16:44:00.001-06:00

A customer at the 3D Picture Store booth at the 2011 Madison Fishing Expo marveling at the amazing 3D effect of the image, tries to reach out and touch the fish in the picture.

I just got back from the Madison Fishing Expo in Madison, WI where our 3-D Pictures Store booth was swamped all weekend with customers. Sales were excellent! It was fun to watch the reaction of people who looked at the 3-D fish pictures and reached out to touch the fish. Since the fish appear to be "floating outside the picture", your hand seems to go right through them. It's an interesting effect that brought smiles, giggles and various other exclamations of amazement from the crowd. I want to personally thank everyone who came by the booth. I got a chance to meet so many great people there, and I appreciated all the compliments on my underwater fish photography. Jay from the 3D Picture Store says to stay tuned. They will be adding more of my fish images to their line-up soon. Check back here or at The 3D Picture Store soon for updates.

3-D Fish Posters A Hit!

2011-02-20T14:42:00.004-06:00

Our 3-D fish pictures were a hit at the recent Milwaukee Muskie show. Sales were brisk and interest was high. We've added a few new shows where we'll be selling these amazing artworks. Here's the updated schedule. If you attend one of these shows, be sure to look for the 3-D Fish Pictures Store booth. You'll be amazed at our images, which now include six different underwater images in two different sizes each.

Madison Fishing Expo
The Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center
1881 Expo Mall East
Madison, Wisconsin 53713
Friday - February 25th 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Saturday - February 26th 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Sunday - February 27th 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M

Milwaukee Outdoors Show
Wisconsin Exposition Center State Fair Park
8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
West Allis, WI 53214
Wednesday-Friday, March 9-11, 12:00-9:00
Saturday, March 12, 10:00-9:00
Sunday, March 13, 10:00-6:00

Ultimate Outdoors Show
Devos Place
303 Monroe Ave NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Thursday, March 17, 3:00pm - 9:30pm
Friday, March 18, 11:00am - 9:30pm
Saturday, March 19, 10:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday, March 20, 10:00am - 5:00pm

Minnesota Muskie Expo Show
Ganglehoff Center
Concordia University
Southwest corner of Snelling and Marshall
St. Paul, Minnesota
Friday April 8th, 2011
2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday April 9th, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday April 10th, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

3D Fish Photos

2011-02-03T15:26:00.007-06:00

NEW! AMAZING 3D FISH PRINTS!

I'm pleased to announce the first four images in a new line of amazing 3D prints that will astound you. Using lenticular 3D technology, these prints actually look like you're holding an aquarium in your hands. Each underwater image has remarkable depth and it looks like you can "stick your hand into the picture". You have to see it to believe it. For prints and on-line ordering information, click here for the 3D Fish Picture Store, my exclusive partner for these unique prints. These images will look great on your den wall or in your cottage. This unique artwork is a must have for any fisherman or fish lover!
These stunning prints will be on display at the 3D Fish Pictures booth at the following upcoming events:

Michigan Muskie Show
MB&T Expo Center
3775 S. Custer Rd.
Monroe, MI 48161
Saturday February 5th, 2011
10:00am-7:00pm
Sunday February. 6th, 2011
10:00am-4:00pm

Milwaukee Muskie Expo
Wisconsin State Fair Park
640 S 84th St
West Allis, WI 53214-1438
Friday February 11th, 2011
12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday February 12th, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday February 13th, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Madison Fishing Expo
Alliant Energy Center
1881 Expo Mall East
Madison WI, 53713
Friday February 25th, 2011
4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday February 26th, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday February 27th, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Minnesota Muskie Expo Show
Ganglehoff Center
Concordia University
Southwest corner of Snelling and Marshall
St. Paul, Minnesota
Friday April 8th, 2011
2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday April 9th, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday April 10th, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Framed Artwork

2011-01-14T09:32:00.001-06:00

Occasionally I'm asked if framed, matted and "ready to hang" prints of my underwater fish photography are available for sale. I do offer a few select photos through the Indian Creek Art Company of Marion, Iowa. If you're interested in beautiful framed fish prints to hang in your den or your cottage, please contact Kyle Robinson at Indian Creek Art. He does a masterful job with my pictures which he has in sizes 11x14, 16x20 and 20x24. He'll be happy to assist you with your order and will ship anywhere. Click here for the link to his website.

North Lakeland Discovery Center Lecture

2011-01-08T11:50:00.000-06:00

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be making another public presentation. I'll be showing a selection of my underwater photos and speaking about some of the lakes I'm familiar with in Northern Wisconsin including Presque Isle Lake, Star Lake and the Manitowish River. On the evening of February 10, I'll be speaking at the North Lakeland Discovery Center near Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin. For more information, please click here.

Thoughts on the 71st Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference

2010-12-17T08:26:00.002-06:00

After spending a few days at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Minneapolis with some of the country's top fisheries biologists, I've come away with a renewed appreciation for what these people have been doing. They're passionate about their work and their commitment towards improving and protecting our fisheries is admirable.

I think it's easy to be critical of any state's DNR agency or the political aspects of any bureaucratic arm, but when you meet these individuals face to face, the ones who are out in the field doing the work, you will discover that they care about the resources as much if not more than the sportsmen they serve. The challenges they face every day with dwindling resources and personnel are daunting. I have nothing but respect and appreciation for these exceptional individuals and the work they do. These are very special people indeed.

Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference

2010-12-11T14:57:00.000-06:00

I'm excited to be giving a presentation about underwater fish habitat on Tuesday December 14 at the Midwest Fish and Wildlife Conference in Minneapolis. It's always a kick to hang out with fisheries biologists and see what kinds of exciting new developments are happening in their field. I'll be showing some of my underwater photography to this group and telling them a little about what I typically encounter in the freshwater environments I work in.

New Pictures Added to My Underwater Fish Galleries

2010-11-08T19:14:00.000-06:00

I've just added several hundred new images to my on line galleries. I now have almost 1,700 images in my fish galleries. Click here to go to my gallery page to view my images. I've uploaded many new bass, walleye and muskie pictures. These galleries are not my entire inventory, but a collection of selected images that are representative of my complete library.

The purpose of these galleries is to provide interested picture buyers a place they can visit to review, purchase and download high resolution images for commercial use.

The Most Difficult Fish to Photograph Underwater

2010-09-19T11:35:00.002-05:00

The Common Carp: One of the smartest fish and one of the hardest to photograph.

Common Carp-Lake Michigan at Egg Harbor, Door County Wisconsin

Occasionally I'm asked what the hardest fish to photograph is. Without a doubt, it's the common carp. It's said that many years ago when a group of scientists set out to test the relative intelligence of various freshwater fresh, carp finished first in the fish IQ test. When encountering carp underwater, one of the first things that's apparent is how keenly aware they are of their environment. They seem to have terrific eyesight and hearing and getting close enough to a carp to take a good picture is a real challenge. While other fish like bass, walleye and even muskie will often let you approach them within 2 feet or so, the carp remains extremely wary and cautious. In Fisherman Magazine agrees, calling carp "the wariest of all freshwater fish, by reason not just of superior brain power, but through their acute senses of hearing, feeling, taste, and vision."

Another trait not often discussed that I believe is a sign of extreme intelligence is curiosity. I use this curiosity to my advantage when trying to photograph carp. When a large carp sees a diver underwater, their first response is to leave the area. But I've found that if I stop moving and stay in one place, the same fish will return to have a closer look at what must seem to him to be a strange visitor in his underwater world.. I can only call this curiosity-a desire to get another look at this foreign creature and perhaps understand "what it is". It's this curiosity that brings the fish back to me where they will typically make a slow circle carefully studying me. Occasionally, a carp will be so curious, he will actually stop and study me at surprisingly close range. It's during this moment, while holding your breath that a picture or two can be obtained. It's a brief opportunity that doesn't happen often and it's rather difficult to pull off. Carp are extremely sensitive to the bubbles coming from a regulator, so holding your breath while remaining motionless long enough for the carp to move in close enough is critical.

I find it puzzling that in this country carp have such a bad reputation. In Europe, they are revered and held in high regard as the top sport fish. Perhaps European anglers have a better understanding and consequently a deserved appreciation of the unique qualities and intelligence of carp. After spending some time around them in their environment, watching how they swim, feed and react to my presence, it's hard not to feel that carp possess an understanding that transcends what we normally think fish are capable of.

To view more of my underwater carp photos, click here.

Underwater in Hayward Wisconsin

2010-07-20T12:38:00.003-05:00

Underwater Photography in Round Lake-Hayward, Wisconsin:

I just got back from a few days in the Hayward Lakes area shooting underwater images in Lake Owen, Round Lake and Whitefish Lakes near Hayward, WI. Of all three lakes, the clarity in Round Lake seemed to be the best this time of year, although Lake Owen wasn't bad. In Round Lake, I encountered twelve different species of fish at one dive site. This is remarkable as it's pretty rare to encounter that kind of diverse fish community holding on a single piece of structure.

While I've been to Round Lake in the past, I've never seen such a large and diverse group of fish in one place at one time as I did this week. One element that I believe contributed to this was the increase in the invasive Eurasian Water Milfoil. The site I was at had beautiful, dense, tall, beds of EWM. I know the presence of this weed has been met with a good deal of concern from property owners on the lake, but it's absolutely a "fish magnet". In a lake that otherwise doesn't have a lot of underwater elements to attract fish, these isolated beds of milfoil, if you can find them, will concentrate fish all season. They also make strikingly attractive backdrops for underwater photography. Although it's an invasive, this milfoil might actually improve a lake like Round Lake. The water is deep enough that it will never impede boat or recreational traffic like many lakes in southern Wisconsin that are shallower, and native species of plants generally aren't thriving in this lake anyway.  If there was ever a lake that wouldn't be harmed by the presence of this invasive species, it would be Round Lake. One of the key ways it would improve the lake would be by providing much needed cover for juvenile fish and minnows. If left undisturbed, I think fishing in Round Lake for species like largemouth bass, crappie and bluegills will improve dramatically in the future.

For information on local diving in the Hayward Area, contact my friend Al Winsor at Winsor's Pro Diving, 15409 W County B Road. (715) 634-5122
Al is a great guy who knows all the area lakes well. He helped me out quite a bit and was very generous with his time and expertise. He is a valuable resource of diving knowledge.

Walleyes Underwater

2010-07-07T14:37:00.002-05:00

Underwater Walleye Pictures:
It's been my experience that photographing walleyes underwater in their natural habitat can be either ridiculously easy or extremely difficult. I'm convinced that there's a lot of luck involved.  As most fisherman can attest to, even finding walleyes in a lake can be a tough assignment. Some fish are especially sensitive to air bubbles from divers, and walleyes are one of these species that seem troubled by the unusual sound. They will usually move away quickly when they hear the sounds of a diver's air bubbles streaming to the surface.   Other times, I've found walleye to be completely at ease with my approach, my bubbles and my general presence. At these times I'm able to easily take close up pictures with my cameras just inches from the fish. I've spent a great deal of time analyzing the various factors and conditions that sometimes make photographing walleye easy and sometimes make it impossible.

After 17 years of encountering walleye underwater, I still don't have a definitive answer.   One theory I have is that if the fish feels secure, a close approach is possible. If there are predators nearby, a lot of recreational watercraft traffic, or any other kind of perceived threat or disturbance, they will be anxious, nervous and "edgy". When the lake is quiet and they feel secure near a piece of cover, they seem to be more relaxed and at ease. I think it all has to do with a sense of safety. Fisherman believe walleyes always prefer deep water and avoid light because of their sensitive eyes. I don't think that's necessarily true, or the real reason why walleye seem to seek out deeper, darker water. On some of the quieter lakes I visit, they can be found in very shallow, brightly sunlit water close to shore. On busier lakes, they almost always seem to be in the deeper stretches. It could be that the perceived threat to their safety has more to do with locations walleyes are found than depth or brightness of the sun.

I work with many fishing magazines and exceptional walleye images are seemingly always in demand. Consequently, I've spent a great deal of time learning about walleyes and their behavior to gain a better understanding of how to best find and approach them to take their pictures. (Click here to view a gallery of some of my best walleye images.) Certainly, being in the water with the fish gives you a glimpse of their "real" behavior-a snapshot few people ever see. Correctly interpreting what you observe is another matter and is the beginning of understanding and wisdom.
Like all animals, walleyes have many secrets and as we begin to learn more about their endlessly fascinating lives, we'll be able to appreciate them more and more for their inherent beauty and magnificence. I know I do.

The Difficulties of Underwater Photography

2010-06-12T10:40:00.002-05:00

Underwater Photography in Freshwater:

What's it like taking pictures underwater?

Conditions underwater are very hostile to a photographer. The lakes and rivers where I shoot are generally very cold. Currents can be strong, and visibility is always an issue. Underwater photography is inherently tricky. Water is 800 times thicker than air, and there's always particles floating around or algae and things like that, so you're never going to get the really "clean" look you can get shooting through air. The water is often cold, the fish can be elusive, and you've got to always be concerned about your air supply, so there's a lot to think about. The light underwater is very poor too, so often I have to carry bulky underwater strobes to illuminate subjects in deeper water. Then there's finding the fish. Sometimes that can be hard too. If you can imagine taking photos on a dark, cold, foggy, windy day… that sort of comes close to the every day conditions of the environment I work in.

Florence County Lakes

2010-04-30T11:18:00.000-05:00

On Saturday May 22nd, I'll be giving a presentation at the 4th Annual Water Quality Protection Workshop at the Florence Community Center. (Click here to see schedule of programs.) I'm looking forward to showing some of my underwater fish photography and speaking about some of the clear, local lakes in northeastern Wisconsin where I do much of my work. There's a terrific line-up of speakers that day all talking about lake and habitat issues, so it promises to be an interesting and informative morning.

Earth Day Exhibit in Los Angeles

2010-04-14T10:49:00.000-05:00

I've been invited to show a selection of my underwater fish photos at The Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles on Earth Day. The Annenberg Space for Photography is hosting this special evening dedicated to the talents of international photographers. On April 22nd, 2010 the screens of the Photo Space will display a new array of exciting images which both compliment the mission of Annenberg Foundation, as well as the current exhibition. This Slideshow Nights is inspired by WATER: Our Thirsty World, featuring a broad spectrum of photographers covering the world of ecological and environmental issues surrounding water.

As an editorial photographer, I rarely share my images in a venue like this, but their kind invitation was impossible to dismiss. I'm excited to be able to show some of my best pictures to an audience that perhaps has never seen our native fish in their natural lake and stream habitats. I hope my photography will leave people with a new found appreciation for our finned friends and the water we all share.

Grand Traverse Bay Dive Locations

2010-03-20T13:03:00.000-05:00

My underwater photography work takes me to so many beautiful locations around the Great Lakes. One of my favorite places for underwater fish photography is Grand Traverse Bay in Traverse City, Michigan. The clarity of the water here is consistantly some of the cleanest in Lake Michigan and the fish life is plentiful and diverse. If you're unfamiliar with diving locations in this area, consult the website of Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve. Their site has lots of great information including an online dive map brochure that identifies many popular dive sites with precise directions and descriptions. I always appreciate it when dive shops or other groups publish material like this. It saves travelers like myself so much time and research when we can quickly find where we want to go. To view their dive map brochure, click here. It's well put together, informative and a great tool to use if you're visiting this area.

Why Underwater Fish Photos Are Important.

2010-03-06T09:30:00.007-06:00

In the December '09 issue of Fisheries Magazine, Jeremy B. Monroe wrote a brilliant article that poignantly discusses why images of freshwater fish underwater are so important in generating public awarenss and conservation of many species and their habitats. It was the best summation I've ever read, and I'd like to share some of his comments here, (albeit in a heavily edited way) because I wish I had written this article myself. It was magnificient and I've provided the link to Jeremy Monroe's entire piece here.

"As threats to freshwater ecosystems continue to grow, the vast majority of their inhabitants remain “out of sight, and largely out of mind”. This lack of public awareness of freshwater life may ultimately limit freshwater conservation as a popular cause, or movement. By its nature, aquatic life is inherently less visible to human eyes, and so images, such as photographs, play a critical role in visually connecting freshwater ecosystems to their would-be stewards. And while images by no means replicate human experiences in the natural world, they are a remarkably effective surrogate to enlighten audiences about natural ecosystems and their values. A passing glance at a magazine rack, television programming, and popular internet websites reveals a narrow view of freshwater life. In these popular sources of public information and entertainment, the vast majority of freshwater species are simply unseen, and therefore unknown to most people. A closer examination of the common images of freshwater life reveals an issue that is perhaps more problematic than mere obscurity. Almost invariably, popular images portray sportfishes and most other freshwater species after they have been “landed” or otherwise extracted from their aquatic habitat. In these images, aquatic organisms are far removed from their natural environment and behavior, which precludes an aquatic, and perhaps empathetic, perspective of their lives and their world. Moreover, these struggling or dead organisms are commonly seen “at the hands” of both anglers, and biologists, portraying a conquering image. Though rarely seen in popular media, underwater images of fish and other freshwater life in their aquatic habitat can more naturally convey the intrinsic and ecological value of these organisms, as well as their evolutionary, and even spiritual aesthetics. These images celebrate the aquatic world by depicting the natural beauty and behavior of freshwater life, the splendor and uniqueness of freshwater environments, and the intricate relationships among species and their habitats. In their natural medium, free of human hands or devices, organisms appear independent of humankind, and their intrinsic value is therefore made more obvious. Indeed, the vision of an organism behaving naturally and relating to its natural environment is precisely what can allow us to sympathize or even empathize with other species and appreciate their significance in our own world or worldview. It is these ecological, evolutionary, and spiritual aesthetics that will presumably resonate more deeply with the broader public, and are most likely to drive conservation movements."

Nice work Jeremy. Thank you for putting into words what keeps me doing this.

Sturgeon Bay and Door County, Wisconsin Scuba Diving Sites

2010-02-27T09:35:00.006-06:00

Over the years, the waters of Lake Michigan have become increasingly clearer. Today, it's not unsual to experience visibility of 50 feet or more. There's also an abundance of fish in the near shores waters so there's always something to photograph. One of my favorite Lake Michigan locations is the Door County Peninsula. The clarity, especially on the lake side of Door County is simply astounding. On the Green Bay side of the peninsula, the water becomes clear enough for good photography around Sturgeon Bay and improves as you move further north up the peninsula towards Gills Rock. In the fall, large brown trout and salmon come into the near shore waters on spawning runs and you're able to see some amazingly large fish up close.

For the shore diver, there are a great many places to access the lake up and down the Door Peninsula. Luckily for us, the folks at Green Bay Scuba have put together a list of some of the best shore dive access sites. For divers or snorklers new to Door County, this is a terrific list to consult. I've been to most of the sites on the list and I use it often. Here's their list.

Why Fish Look Bigger Underwater

2010-02-15T12:18:00.007-06:00

One of the attributes of water is that when viewed through a prism of air, objects appear to be larger than they really are. So when I’m underwater looking through my diver’s mask, large fish, like a 45-inch musky for example, appears to me to be a 60-inch fish! Fish and anything else viewed underwater are only ¾ of their apparent size. Fisherman often ask me how big the fish are that I see. I do my best to adjust for the optics of underwater viewing, but the fact is, I just don’t know. Fish look really big underwater, and big fish look positively huge when viewed underwater. For the first few years, I got really excited whenever I saw muskies. “Wow! That’s gotta be a world record!” I would say to myself. But over the years, I’ve come to better understand this illusion and now I don’t pee my wetsuit quite as often when I see what looks like Moby Dick.

What this means sadly, is that all those reports you hear of 6 foot long monsters swimming next to the boat, or huge fish that got off before they could be netted are really just ordinary sized muskies. Some may argue that the fish lined up exactly with something on the boat that’s of known size and therefore, that’s evidence that the fish was really a whopper. This of course is nonsense. Since you would still be viewing the fish in water through a space of air, the magnification illusion is still in play. Your boat is a poor yardstick since it’s in air, and the fish is underwater. (If you don’t quite grasp this idea, lean over the side of the boat sometime and stick your hand underwater about a foot. Then take a ruler and hold it above the water’s surface and take a good measurement of what you see. Next, take your hand out of the water and measure it. If you did this right, your actual hand will measure only ¾ of the size of your estimated measurement while it was underwater.)

My Best Advice for New Underwater Photographers

2010-02-15T11:12:00.001-06:00

There’s always room for more good photographers, and I think interest in underwater subjects will continue. I encourage beginners to learn about their subjects. Become an expert on the life and behavior of your animal subjects. Become a steward of their habitat. Think of yourself as a PR person for that particular animal. If you do this, you’ll show them in the best light, you’ll be mindful of disturbing them, and your work will automatically show these creatures at their most magnificent. Don’t sell pictures. Instead, fall in love with your subjects and sell that love! And instead of exploiting them for personal profit, you’ll become partners with them in calling attention to their inherent beauty and value in the ecosystem, and the special problems each one of them face in an increasingly crowded world.

Encountering Muskie Underwater

2010-02-06T14:06:00.014-06:00

The first time I came face to face with a muskie underwater in it’s environment, I thought I was going to have a stroke. I was scuba diving in a small northern Wisconsin Lake known primarily for bass and bluegills, when I turned and found myself face to face with a monster that looked more like an alligator than anything else. To say I was startled would be an understatement. I remember screaming into my regulator as an eruption of air bubbles exploded from my lungs and raced towards the surface. My arms and legs moved involuntarily in panic and I stirred up a cloud of silt that quickly enveloped both the beast and me. After a few seconds, when I had recovered from the start, and regained my composure, I was amazed to see that the giant fish hadn’t moved an inch. It was still there, just three feet away hanging motionless in the slowly clearing water. In stark contrast to my initial panicked surprise its reaction was just the opposite. It’s demeanor was calm, and it’s steely-eyed gaze remained fixed on me the entire time like a gunslinger in a Clint Eastwood western. This was a fish filled with confidence, instead of fear. He was the ruler of this underwater kingdom, and seemed to regard me with the same sense of apathy and disinterest that’s normally reserved only for telemarketers and late night TV pitchmen. Finally, he slowly finned away into the depths and I was left with a feeling of awe and admiration for these magnificent fish that has only grown over the years.

I’m very lucky that I just happen to live in an area that’s home to some of the most legendary muskie lakes in the country. Over the years, I’ve had a chance to swim in some of these famed waters and encounter muskies up close in their own environment. There’s nothing quite like seeing a large muskie underwater. They glide effortlessly through the water with the supreme confidence reserved for members at the top of their food chain. Because of this, they’re not afraid of divers and I’m able to approach them usually fairly easily. They are surely aware of all the other fish and animals that populate their world and because divers are an anomaly, they will routinely approach me with what I can only characterize as curiosity. They often make a complete circle around me as if to inspect this ‘strange creature” from every angle. They also display keen awareness. When I enter a lake, I don’t have to search for the muskies. I’ve discovered that if I’m patient, they will find me. Drawn, I’m sure by acute imperceptible sensory abilities and also probably just by the noise of my air bubbles too.
List of Lakes with the Biggest Muskie (from Muskies Inc.)
To Buy One Of My Most Popular Muskie Prints, Click Here

"How did you get started in Underwater Photography?"

2010-02-03T14:57:00.008-06:00

The question people most often ask me is "How did you get started in underwater photography?" If you're wondering the same thing, here's the story.

I began taking pictures underwater in 1993. I’d been an avid fisherman all my life, but one sunny August afternoon, instead of grabbing my rod and reel, I grabbed a cheap mask, snorkel and fins that were 3 sizes too small and dove into a clear water lake near my home. That day changed my life. As a fisherman I remember staring down into the water from the boat or at the end of the dock and wondering “What’s down there? Are there any fish in this lake? What do they do down there all day long?” Diving under the surface of the lake that August day was like stepping into a new world. I couldn’t believe the radiance of this underwater landscape. Plants, rocks, sunken trees covered in green algae…it was simply breathtaking! An underwater paradise! And then there were the fish. I saw more fish in one afternoon than I had seen as a fisherman in the previous year! It was my first glimpse into an astounding silent world filled with unsurpassed beauty and teaming with life!

As the days and weeks passed, I found myself fishing less and less and snorkeling more and more. Eventually I bought a cheap underwater camera so that I could take pictures and show others this amazing new world, and photos of what the fish looked like “on their own turf”. It wasn’t long before I wanted to go deeper and take better pictures. I began buying scuba equipment and more sophisticated cameras and learning the craft of underwater photography. Eventually, I sold an underwater picture of a bass to a small fishing magazine. By this time, I had fallen deeply in love with the underwater realm and the fish that lived there, and I knew that this passion would become my life’s work.

Today, 17 years later, I’m a freelance photographer. My underwater fish pictures appear in fishing and outdoor magazines around the world. I sell pictures to book publishers, calendar companies, advertising agencies, state natural resources departments, and so on. I spend 7 months a year taking pictures underwater in the lakes and rivers of the upper Great Lakes Region where I live. Often my life feels like a non-stop vacation and I wouldn’t trade places with anyone else.
Click Here to go to my Home Page and View My Underwater Fish Pictures

First Blog & Great Fish Books

2010-02-03T12:55:00.011-06:00

I look forward to sharing my pictures here as well as some of my experiences as a freelance photographer. My work takes me underwater to some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in the upper Midwest. I look forward to hearing from other divers, fisherman and photographers who travel these same byways.
Below are some terrific reference books you may be interested in that have featured some of my underwater fish pictures.