Ice Fishing
Are you done for the season?
Just incredible! I never thought ice season would last this long. Not even close.
Got out today AGAIN!
Ok, no secret, I started at Big Arbor Vitae. The ice there was really good. No reason to measure it, but if I had to guess I'd say at least 10 inches and more likely 11 or 12. In a shallower area on this lake, closer to 14 (estimated 14 yesterday). We Fished a really popular spot, but only 1 fish. Then, my friend texts me and says he has fishable ice on a small to medium lake that he likes to fish about 35 minutes from Big Arb. He says the bite is on! So, my son and I hop over there and fish the last hour and 40 minutes or so.
The bite was on! Nothing huge, but some nice fish and plenty of action. Between all 5 of us, a few nice crappies, plenty of bluegills/sunfish etc..., one big perch, a couple of break offs. A bass. A pike. It was pretty easy to catch fish and it was shallow water so no need for any electronics. Just drop and fish. If no bites. Move. Awesome way to end the year! Probably 10 inches of ice on this lake. Funny thing, the ice actually seems more solid now than a week ago. It has been cold....one interesting thing I noticed is that some open water areas heading into/out of this lake were frozen. Without a doubt, if someone wanted to still get out, there is still time. But, I'm done. YES. I'm done.
I was thinking to myself today, that I've fished in much worse late ice situations in southern Wi with plenty of other guys out there too. Up here, guys seems to quit before the really late ice....or they are just more spread out with all the lakes we have. In Southern Wisconsin, guys would often ice fish until the very end. Ladders. Johnboats out to the ice. Waders etc....Just don't see that as often up here.
Got out today and couldn't believe how much ice I found. Was on a lake known for it's late ice. 14 inches. Very solid. Fishing was poor. And cold. Windy. Where did all the snow on the lake go? It was weird, completely not there. Easy to walk on. No slush. No snow. Kind of slippery.
But, I love ice fishing, and YES, I got out again yesterday in the Conover area. My parents own a place on a small lake. The "good" Ice was only about 5 inches. Then some bad stuff on top of that. So, we were VERY careful and didn't get to our spot we wanted to, but that's ok. Still got to fish for a while. Fishing not very good, but oh well.
I am going to try one more spot next week if possible. The last ice spot up here that I know of! Going to be cold after this storm tomorrow, so things might hold on for a bit on this lake.... We Will be in very shallow water and use common sense, but I think we'll be ok if we can hit it.
Nice job Walter! Clueless-glad you got out again!
I got out again today. 9-10 inches of ice. Very soupy on top! Good fishing, but only 1 crappie and everything else bluegill, pumpkinseed, sunfish.... I’m not sure the difference between the three of those I just listed so I call em all bluegills. Lol!
I’ve now had 3 “ last ice” outings. I just can’t seem to quit!
I'm done. Fished a Vilas lake yesterday. Used a board to get on solid ice. Caught a couple nice crappie. 13" ice. Tried a second lake and had 11". That lake was tough walking in the slush and only small perch to show for it. Today I took a drive to look at other lakes. Came home and put my gear away.
Couldn't pass up the opportunity last night to go with a friend to a Vilas Co. lake "panfishing". 11 inches of ice.
I never panfish. Tip ups only. Well, I try to panfish from time to time, but I'm kind of clueless on how to get a bite. If panfishing was as easy as it was yesterday, I'd do it all the time!! Only out 1 hour and 30 minutes. Bluegills, crappies, rock bass, LMB, pike, and pumpkinseeds were caught by us. It was truly a case of you wouldn't know what was coming up the hole. Really fun. Very shallow water too.... Cool to see the pike on small stuff. Small pike, but they sure put a bend on the rod!
