Fishing report

Ice travel seems to be better as we are pretty much down to just the hard pack snow.  Still plenty of safe ice out there, but be cautious around creek inlets and the shorelines as the ice will get thin there first.  If you are planning on going out this week, remember licenses expire on Thursday the 31st and the big chip is lowering the daily limit on panfish to 10 fish combined species.  The crappie bite has been pretty good.  Not much is changing in the way of tactics as most of the panfish are relating to shallow weed beds that are starting to see some longer light conditions.  Some guys are already moving on to open water down south so the fishing should be good with less pressure!
Crappie–Shallow bays  that have good light penetration and weeds will be holding fish.  Find fish in 7-10 feet of water and use small jigs tipped with waxies or plastics and in some cases crappie minnows.
Bluegill–Bluegills and pumpkin seeds should be relating to the same areas as the crappie, and using the same tactics should catch fish.  Small jigs with plastics or waxies are a great bait choice.
Perch–Jigging spoons fished aggressivley around the deep weed edges should find perch.  Tip them with multiple waxies or minnow heads to entice bigger fish.
Greg

First fishing report

Good morning!  This is Greg from Happy Hooker and I will be taking over the fishing report duties from Pat.  I know those are big shoes to fill, but I will do my best. Ice travel should be getting better by the day as most of the snow should be melting off and allowing anglers to walk/drive on the ice.  I have not been out myself and have not heard much in the way of how much ice is still out there but I would guess we still have a solid 20-24″ on the main lakes.  A lot of the creeks are starting to open up so be mindful if traveling on the ice near inlets or anywhere with moving water.

Bluegill/Crappie–Bluegill and Crappie will be moving into the shallower haunts with this warming trend, heading back into the weed beds where they spawn.  Anywhere there is creek inlets coming into those bays, fish are going to start relating there.  The moving water will bring in bugs and sediment into these areas and fish will be feeding on them. Use brighter colors as the water will be more stained in these spots.  Jig aggressively with a little bit bigger plastics or multiple waxies on your set ups.
Perch–Perch will be on the deeper weed edges in these same areas as they are also feeding on the stuff that the snow melt/runoff is bringing in.  Jigging spoons and bigger tungsten jigs tipped with waxies and minnow heads should fire the perch up.  Fish should be active with the warm up and use peak times to increase your chances.
Greg