Good evening from the Quiet Lakes, a big warm up next week should knock down the snow we got this past week. Hard to say how much accumulation as it was blowing pretty hard, but my guess is 4-6″. Highs temps look to hit the 50s for a few days and then stay above freezing for the 15 day. The only precipitation I see is for next Saturday and that looks to be in the form of rain.
Fishing certainly slowed down due to weather last week and the closing of the gamefish season until May. For anglers looking to catch panfish, crappie have been caught on small spoons in deep basins. Tip those spoons with 2 or 3 waxies or chunks of crappie minnows and fish anywhere from 15-25 FOW. Perch can be found anywhere from 10-20 FOW and can be caught on those same spoons or small jigs tipped with waxies. We had good luck with both of those baits last weekend. We found Perch in that 10-15 FOW range on the lake we were on where a mid lake reef dropped off to deep water. Bluegill may be on edges of weeds or in areas where inlets are bringing fresh water into the lake. Look for gills in 3-10 FOW and use small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes, or plastics.
There is still plenty of ice to get out but anglers should be cautious around rocky shorelines as those rocks can heat up and make ice thin. Also any areas that have considerable current could be getting quite thin already as well. I will keep everyone posted week to week or more frequently as I hear or get out myself. Have a great weekend and we will talk soon!
Greg