Good morning from the Quiet Lakes, we have had some cold nights so far to start the winter season! I did see -11 Wednesday morning when I drove to the bait shop and had 12 this morning. This weekend looks cold with a high of 15 today and 9 tomorrow, and both lows are showing negative single digits. A warm up on Tuesday to 24 and 1-3 inches of snow overnight into Wednesday. We did get just enough snow after the big snowstorm to slow the ice making down which is kind of a bummer, but we should have great ice by next weekend with the current forecast.
I am hearing of pretty consistent reports of ice that is around 3″ to 4″ thick close to the shorelines. It sounds like anglers should NOT venture out much past shorelines right now as some lakes still have some open water (Round, LCO, Grindstone) and others have just skim ice out over the deep basins. Most anglers are using tip-ups and fishing shallow sandy or rocky shorelines in hopes for some early ice walleye right now. Walleye suckers or shiners rigged under the tip-up are the way to go for walleye and pike in the shallows. It is still too early to get out for basin crappie or perch, but shallow weeds may hold some panfish as well. Small jigs and waxies/minnows or small jigging spoons can be great choices for early ice panfish. Anglers should ALWAYS CHECK ICE as they venture out as no ice is safe ice, especially this time of year.
That is all I have for this week’s report. We are getting there but it will take another week or two before we really see any good ice action. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon!
Greg