Current Ice and Travel Conditions –
With the cool temps we are making some good ice. Along with that we only have about 6”-8” of snow cover, so travel on the lakes has been quite easy.
Small Lakes and Bays – Have 18”-24” of ice.
Medium Lakes – Have around 14”-16” of ice
Large Lakes – Have about 10-12” everywhere I have checked.
Fishing Report
The best bite around the area has been the consistent crappie action. Anglers have been catching large numbers of crappie suspended over deep water. Look to the edge of these deep holes. The schools of crappie seem to follow these breaks like highways, making them much easier to locate than you may think. The crappie have been feeding heavily right at dusk and dawn on small jigs (size #10-#12 jigs) and crappie minnows. During the day these same fish can be caught, but instead of a minnow, use a small plastic tail, wax worm or Euro larva.
The walleye action has been good for some but very slow for others. For this time of year, that is quite typical. One night will be great and the next…. nothing. The anglers who are putting in their time have iced some nice sized walleye, though. Plenty of eater-sized walleye 15”-18”, as well as numerous trophy fish 28”-32”. Concentrate on 15’-25’ of water with jigs and minnows.
