Fishing Report

Good morning, do I dare say finally some winter temperatures up here in the Northwoods!?!?  I know most people prefer a mild winter but it has not been good for ice fishing.  I actually saw photo evidence from a customer who’s UTV went partially through Teal lake last weekend traveling over a same area he had fished the week before that.  All of the snow we have gotten has really done a great job at insulating the slush layer underneath it and provided weak spots in what we have thought was good ice. So even though its now cold (well below freezing the next 15 days) it still may not be completely safe out on the lakes.  Make sure to check spots even if you have been on them already!!!!  More anglers have been out so reach out to buddies or guides or any of the local bait shops to check on ice conditions.  Staying on the snowmobile trails until you get close to where you want to fish is ideal as those are packed down and frozen hard.  A little PSA and may sound redundant, but always an important topic!

Northern pike–Tip ups rigged with shiners/walleye suckers in and around shallow weed beds bays should still be holding northern pike.  Work edges of weed beds where they transition to deeper water in the bay or out into the main lake.  Setting up on points or neck downs can work great as well.

Walleye–Most anglers are jigging walleye up right now, although I know a few that are still getting some on tip ups as well.  Jigging spoons with some flash/noise are the ticket to calling in big walleye.  Blade baits with a lot of vibration will also catch aggressive fish.  If they get finicky go more subtle with a flutter spoon or work a dead stick rod.  Tip ups rigged with suckers will also catch fish looking for and easy meal.  Look for fish a bit deeper than the northern both on structure and where the bottom transitions from hard to soft on most lakes.

Crappie–I have reports from multiple anglers that they are finding crappie suspended in deep water.  Deep is relative on all lakes, but fishing the basins on whichever lake you are on is a good place to start.  Wax worms tipped on tungsten jigs or jigs tipped with crappie minnows seem to be the two most popular ways to fish them.  They will also smash the smallest size jigging raps, tikka minnows, and baits like Kenders T-rips, however jigs seem to always produce fish.

Perch–Perch could be working out into the basins more as well.  I don’t get a lot of reports on perch as there aren’t many great perch bites in our area.  My guess would be to work basins in the same way as you would crappie, but use smaller spoons and baits with more flash as perch are generally more aggressive.  

Bluegill–Bluegill will likely be relating to weeds and shallow water.  They will be feeding on bugs in these weeds and matching small jigs to mimic these will produce big gills.  Tip jigs with waxies or small plastics that move in the water column to put more fish on the ice.  

I’m hoping this cold snap helps freeze out some of the slush layer on the ice and builds some more ice underneath.  Should make the second half of the ice season easier to get out and fish!!!  Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg

Good morning, about 10″ of new snow fell here around the quiet lakes with that last storm.  As if lake travel wasn’t bad enough before, it is now!!  Unfortunately, I have not had many people coming in for bait as they are just not going out!! 

Northern pike–Northern pike should still be fished fairly shallow and around structure whether that be weeds, rocks, mid lake humps or points that have anything that will hold fish.  Tip ups rigged with either shiners or suckers is still the most common/best way to fish them.  

Walleye–Most anglers in my direct area are using tip ups or bigger jigging spoons/baits to target walleye.  If using tip ups shiners seem to get the nod around here, if jigging spoons like the Acme Kastmasters, Northland Buckshot spoons, and Clam Flutter spoons in the larger size.  And of course jigging raps, tikka minnos, and any of the acme hyperglide, rattle or hammer series will catch fish.  I think with the lack of fishing pressure so far this season bigger more aggressive choices in baits is going to work better.  No need to get finesse unless the fish tell you otherwise.

Crappie–Crappie could be anywhere depending on what lake you are on.  In shallow lakes they will probably still be relating to weeds or brush or timber.  In deep lakes they may be out in the basins and schooling up.  Luckily fishing them is pretty much the same whether they are deep or shallow.  Tungsten jigs tipped with waxies or plastics is the most efficient way to target crappie no matter where they roam.  

Perch–Perch could also be anywhere but most likely still in shallow weeds, or weed edges that transition out into the basins.  Smaller jigging spoons seem to ice more perch than a standard jig.  Tip them with a minnow head or body and get loud.  Perch tend to eat bigger baits and not care about finesse so move around and stay on active fish.

Bluegill–Bluegill will likely be relating to weeds and shallow water.  They will be feeding on bugs in these weeds and matching small jigs to mimic these will produce big gills.  Tip jigs with waxies or small plastics that move in the water column to put more fish on the ice.  

Have a great weekend and we will talk soon.

Greg