Ice thickness varies from 5″-9″ with all areas of the TFF being traveled by anglers with ATVs and snowmobiles; however, caution is always advised.
The walleye bite had been good, but has tapered off the last 3 days. Fish were being caught the first hour after sunrise and again from about 3:30 pm until after dark on tip-ups with large shiners in 3-6 fow near wood and/or rocky areas. Some daytime walleyes were sporadically being caught in about 10 fow. Smallmouth were being taken on the midlake humps on both tip-ups and jigging. Some nice jumbo perch have been taken jigging with crappie minnows, although the big ones will take a shiner.
The Mercer School Senior Class will be hosting an Ice Fishing Tournament from 8am-6pm on Jan. 12th based out of Fishermans Landing. There will be food and raffles, along with prizes for the 3 largest walleyes, northerns, perch and crappie in both adult and kid divisions. Tickets are available at Mercer businesses and on site or by calling senior student Tanner Hiller at 715.776.0190.
Also mark your calendars for the Justin Donner Memorial Fisheree on Jan. 26th with proceeds going to suicide awareness and prevention, along with the TFFA Ice Fishing Jamboree on Feb. 23rd with proceeds going to the promotion and enhancement of the TFF. Both are based out of Donners Bay Resort.
Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year Everyone. 