First Ice has been pretty tough so far this year. With all the snow on top of the Ice we have a sloppy mess. Staying mobile has been tough with all the slop on top but if one is willing to work a bit we are being rewarded with some good fish.
I made it out last week and found a few active fish. There were Crappies suspended over deep water (25′-40′) and Bluegills a tad shallower (17′-14′) along the bottom. Some of the baits that worked well were Little Atom Optic jigs tipped with Ratso bodies. Fiska’s jigs coupled with Berkley Gulp! Waxies and Powerbait Spikes. Some other baits were Gulp! Fish Fry’s trimmed down and Lindy Micro Minnows. What seemed prevalent was the Crappies liked more horizontal baits and eratic up-jigging while the Bluegills liked the slow steady jigs holding the bait right on their noses.
Here are a few pictures from the day…
After the Ice thickens up a bit I hope to get the kids out for some good Panfish action.
Good fishing,
Corey Bechtold