Good evening from the Quiet Lakes, getting you the report tonight as we will be heading for Hudson early tomorrow morning. It’s still cold and the forecast is not promising for any kind of snow accumulation for the next 15 days. I am seeing (per the Weather Channel app) that we may see an inch or less on Sunday with single digits mid week and then a warm up for the end of the week. The following week looks to be bitter cold with temps barely getting into double digits during the day, and below zero at night. That will continue to build ice on top of the 13″+/- we are seeing on lakes currently. Plenty safe for ATV/UTV traffic although I would be hesitant to drive any full size vehicles out there yet. The fishing has been pretty good and not much has changed as far as presentations go…..
Walleye/Pike–Walleye and pike can be caught on tip-ups and jigging bigger spoons/baits on shelves from shallow to deep water. We caught both species tonight on tip-ups anywhere from 12-20 FOW rigged with sucker minnows. Jigging presentations in these same locations can produce fish as well.
Crappie/Perch–The crappie and perch bite has been pretty good, mostly in basins with shallow water close by. Bigger presentations such as a pinched off fathead minnow is working better than say waxies rigged up on a hook. 1/16th ounce jigging spoons tipped this way are producing big crappie.
Bluegill–I have not heard much on a bluegill bite, but these panfish should be holding to shallow bays and weed beds. Small tungsten or lead jigs tipped with waxies/spikes/plastics should all produce decent ‘gills right now.
Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.
Greg