Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, it is going to be a frigid weekend in the Northwoods. Single digit highs today and tomorrow and wind chills well below zero should keep building the ice sheets on the lakes. The weather does look to bring a significant warm up this week, and I am seeing some highs in the mid to upper 30s. That should make ice fishing very pleasant for anglers wanting to get out as holes won’t freeze up as quick while using tip-ups, and hands won’t freeze if you are jigging!
It sounds like most of the lakes are getting safer as I am hearing reports of 5-6″ of good ice locally with another 1-1/2″ of mixed snow/ice on top of that. Not to beat a dead horse but anglers should ALWAYS check any ice they are on this time of year. Last Sunday on the spots we checked we had I would say a solid 3-4″ and my buddy texted me yesterday and said we have 6″ on that same spot now so we are definitely building ice. It sounds like the snowmobile clubs are going to try to stake lakes this week, or at least start checking lakes to see if they are able to stake them.
Shallow water tip-ups set on tops or on transitions of ledges, reefs, or points that extend out into the lake are great spots to pick up walleye, pike, bass, and any other predator that comes into the shallows to feed. Dawn and dusk are the best times on days with high sun, but all day can be good if there is overcast or low light skies. On some lakes anglers will find panfish still in shallow water related to still green weeds or around inlets/outlets as those spots will hold more oxygen and keep fish there. As the snow builds up and we lose light penetration those fish will push out into basins and school up and feed on small invertebrates that come off of the bottom. Small jig/minnow combinations or small jigs or spoons tipped with waxies will work to catch panfish in both of these locations.
That is all I have for this week’s report. We will get into a little more species specific spots and reports as the ice gets safer and anglers can get anywhere on the lakes. Have a great weekend, stay warm and we will talk soon.
Greg