Fishing Report

Good morning from Kenosha, a big warm up on tap for the week ahead in the Northwoods. Temps are looking to hit 45 and stay above freezing until at least next weekend. I originally saw some precipitation on Monday and Wednesday but those chances now look to be minimal if any at all. Most anglers avoided the ice last week as it was just brutal cold to be outside. Ice conditions are still great and “safe” everywhere as we should have 2+ feet on most lakes.

Walleye–‘Eyes are set up on deep weed lines or rocky bottom transitions out to the basins. Set tip-ups a foot off of bottom along these areas and use suckers or shiners.

Pike–Pike will still be haunting shallow weed beds or shallow weedy bays. Set tip-up rigs with the same bait as walleye but set rigs in 4-10 FOW on edges and in pockets of weeds.

Crappie/Perch–I am hearing reports of crappie and perch out in the basins of main lake areas in 20-25 FOW. Small jigs tipped with waxies or plastics are the best options for getting down to suspended panfish.

Bluegill–I have not heard much on a bluegill bite, but they should be closer to cover more so than out in the basins. Look for gills in and around weeds or sunken timber in shallower water. Small jigs and plastics or waxies will be great options for gills right now as well.

That is all I have for this week’s report. Not much as there just weren’t anglers out last week. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good evening from the Quiet Lakes, the snow is coming down pretty heavily as I write this and we probably have close to 3″ on the ground already. This coming week looks to bring more very cold temperatures which we also saw last week. All of the recreational trails for snowmobiling, skiing, and biking should be in great shape after tonight’s snowfall. Fishing has been okay although not many anglers were out in these subzero temps this past week. Ice thickness varies but I have heard anywhere from 23-30″ on the lakes in the area.

Walleye–The walleye bite has been decent with most reports I am hearing have fish showing up around dusk and very short bite windows. Fish are set up on edges anywhere from 12-20 FOW. Tip-ups rigged with suckers or shiners are still the most consistent options for icing fish.

Northern pike–PIke have slowed down a bit, but anglers should focus on shallow weeds or set up tip-ups higher in the water column as they are feeding on released panfish from anglers above. They are also set up on weed edges both shallow and deep. Tip-ups rigged with both shiners and suckers will work just fine.

Crappie/Perch–Anglers have reported these panfish in deep water basins. Look for fish in 15-30 FOW depending on the lake. Spoons or jigs tipped with crappie minnows seem to be what is working right now.

Bluegill–Bluegill have been sprinkled with other panfish relating to shallow water. This isn’t common on every lake but certain lakes do have more of a shallow weed bite year round. Look for gills in and around weeds anywhere from 6-15 FOW. Small jigs and waxies or plastics are the best choice for baits right now.

Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg