Ice Report 12/19

To say that this ice season has been a disappointment so far would be an understatement! Most area lakes have 6-12 inches of ice, and the ice is varying greatly from spot to spot on the lakes. We have gotten 15+ inches of snow on this ice, which is making the lakes flood bad in some areas, and slush pockets are causing a headache for many local anglers. The good news is that the fishing has been good and traveling on the lakes is very doable with small ATVs, and the fisherman who are traveling out in portables are being rewarded. The bad news, however, is that getting a permanent house out can be tough traveling through snow/slush and flooding has been common. There are, however, many permanent houses out on area lakes. It is an odd year for ice, and your best bet is to get out there and explore for yourself, for the conditions vary GREATLY from lake to lake and spot to spot on the lake.

Fishing has been really good to those getting out, and we are hearing good reports daily. Walleyes have been biting well on shoreline breaks and points in 14-20 FOW in low light conditions of morning and evening. Jigging a small spoon/lure tipped with a fathead has been working great paired with a dead stick or tip up set with a sucker or shiner.

The panfish bite has also been extremely good for those who are willing to jump around, and a tungsten jig tipped with a wax worm has been producing well.

We are sitting really good on minnows and wax worms right now, and hope the ice conditions shape up soon!

Happy Fishing!