Went ice fishing today and found some pike biting between 8-13′ on large shiners.
Gills are active in the same areas but require some patience. It’s not a hot bite but there’s on there to be coaxed up if you stick the right thing in front of their faces.
I used a 1/16th oz. firetiger jigging spoon with a blood red treble hook and a waxworm to catch a few this morning. I was only on the ice 3 hours and managed 8 fish. I lost as many as I hooked because I was jigging and a little slow sometimes. I would lift the worm no more than 12″ above the bottom and use aggressive jiggles and long pauses to get them aroused. I left another pole with the same presentation, completely still in a rod holder and it got 0 hits! Therefore, you gotta work for ’em.
If you’re up in this Chetek chain area, give it a go. Something should play along with you. 