Fishing/ice report 4-9-2022

Good morning,

Almost 50 and sun today should help melt the rest of the snow we got this past week.  Next week is calling for a lot of rain, which should help knock this ice down a bit.  I am still hearing around 20″ of ice on the main lakes, but the creeks and rivers are sure opening up.  Getting onto the lakes can be precarious as I have heard some of the shorelines are starting to open up as well.  If you are planning on heading out, make sure to be diligent in checking the ice all the way out to where you are fishing.  Any moving water can cause thin ice that may not be noticeable on top so make sure anywhere near creeks/drainages/shorelines you are checking.

Crappie–Weed beds in the 4-12′ range should be holding fish as they are staying shallower now and getting ready for spawn.  Using small jigs, either in tungsten or lead tipped with waxies or plastics will produce fish.  Use last light to your advantage as fish will get more active then.
Bluegill–The gills will be mixing it up with the crappie in these same areas, shallow weed beds, shallow sandy shorelines/flats that are warming up during the day.  Using the same tackle and tactics will catch fish.  Jig colors in greens, pinks, whites can be good this time of year as there is a lot of stuff going on in the water column.
Perch–Perch can be in and around these areas as well, with a focus on the deeper edges and where the bottom transitions in the lake.  Again, small jigs with waxies, plastics with appendages that undulate will attract big perch.
That’s all I got for this week,
Greg

Fishing report 04/02/2022

Ice reports are still good with 18″ +/- on the main lakes.  Accessing the lakes should still be good, but be mindful of areas where there is flowing water and snow melt on the South shorelines.  Overall fishing is still going strong with a good crappie bite. Last ice is generally some of the best ice fishing of the year for panfish as all species of panfish will be amped up for the spawn and the changing conditions under the ice.  Make sure you have your 2022/2023 fishing license if you are heading out!!!!!!!
Bluegill/Crappie/Perch– Focus on weedbeds as all of these fish will be moving shallow to start getting ready for spawning.  Fish should be aggressive with new oxygen coming into the lake from melting snow and open creek/river inlets.  Up sizing jigs a little bit tipped with minnows/minnow heads and bigger plastics or multiple waxies will ice the bigger fish in the school. Making noise with bigger jigging spoons or jigging raps with rattles will call fish in. There will be more noise under the water this time of year so dont be afraid to be a bit louder.  Try to find weeds that are starting to develop where there is good light penetration.  Look for sandy bottom areas with some weed cover and fish the whole water column, anywhere in 5-15 feet of water.  Longer days mean longer feeding windows so the action should stay more consistent throughout the day.
Greg