Fishing Report

Good morning from the Quiet lakes, can’t say it enough how crazy this weather has been this winter.  Today looks to be fantastic for anglers wanting to get out for the last weekend of gamefish, lighter winds today, sunny and a high of 52. Tomorrow may hit 60 with a good chance of rain in the afternoon.  Temps do drop off after this weekend, but they will stay well above freezing during the day and slightly under freezing at night.  

Ice conditions are changing everyday and I am hearing most of the flowage lakes and big lakes have big open water spots.  The smaller landlocked lakes seem to be holding up pretty well with most reports coming in around 5-8″ of ice.  If anglers are heading out from now until ice out be sure to be checking ice constantly heading out to spots.  Fishing has slowed down a bit from earlier in the ice season, not sure if it’s less angling pressure or the fish moving around and setting up on spawning spots.  Most predator fish should still be setting up on shallower structure, be it weeds/rocks/timber especially near creek/river inlets.  That flowing water will be stirring up baitfish and keeping good oxygen in that area.  Also with basically zero snow cover anymore, shallow water bottoms are still getting good light penetration and promoting vegetation growth.  Tip-ups rigged with sucker minnows or shiners should be excellent this weekend to finish out the season for big fish.  The panfish are all over right now, and honestly I would think they are setting up in shallower water as they start to transition to spawning areas.  I personally wouldn’t venture too far out into the basins as the ice is just too unpredictable right now.  Jigs with waxies in and around weeds should produce some panfish in a safe manner!

Going forward there won’t be much of a report until the ice goes out and we get the boats in the water.  Now would be a great time for anyone who owns a cabin/lake house to come up and get projects done before the open water season.  We have no snow cover left so all those outside projects can easily be taken care of and give everyone the opportunity to enjoy their summer playing not working when they come up!

I hope everyone has a great weekend and we will talk soon!

Greg 

Good morning from the quiet lakes, another early report as we have another weekend out of town for hockey!  The current forecast has weather absolutely up and down from today through the end of next week.  Then things look to level off above freezing after that.  High temp on Monday of 55 and low Tuesday night of 7 with a 40% chance of snow.  Honestly it is kind of fitting for how this winter has been, mostly mild and very little precipitation of any kind.  

The fishing has continued to be good and we should have safe ice until the game fish season is over next weekend.  I am hearing pretty consistent reports of 8-10″ on lakes without moving water.  Some of the lakes that have river systems through them are a little less, but it sounds like safe ice regardless.  On Moose for example I am hearing about 6-8″.  Always be sure to CHECK, CHECK, CHECK ice this time of year as conditions can change rapidly with big warm ups like we have had.  

Targeting fish has been pretty consistent all winter as well.  It seems like the predator fish (walleye, pike, musky) have all been relating to shallower structure be it weeds, rocks, or cribs.  Look for those fish anywhere from 6-12 FOW and anywhere that structure transitions into the basin.  Walleye suckers, Shiners, and even Northern suckers under tip-ups or systems like jaw jackers have all been producing fish.  I have not heard of anglers jigging up many big predator fish but that is possible on these spots as well.  Panfish have also been fairly predictable so far this winter with all species relating somewhat to the basins.  Crappie have still been deep (relative to the lake) anywhere from 20-25 FOW, Perch still in that 10-15 FOW range and bluegill holding tighter to cover and structure anywhere from 6-12 FOW.  Anglers are doing well catching them on jigs, small spoons, and jigging type minnow baits.  Most are tipping those with waxies, plastics or pieces of minnow heads or tails.  

There is still time to head up and chase some gamefish through the ice! Gamefish closes next weekend (March 3rd) and by then the ice may be sketchy so head up and get on some late ice fish!! In non fishing related news, the Birkie is going on this weekend up in Cable and has been this past week. Good luck and congratulations to all that are going to/have skied so far!

Greg