Lake Zumbro has been better some days than other days, Some very nice crappies and bluegills are being caught, usually in deep water. I am still hearing a few reports about catching fairly large catfish through the ice, or someone says they had on something big before their line broke. Most fishing is happening across from Ryan’s Bay and some people are fishing across from Ponderosa. Minnows and ice jigs tipped with waxies are working. Ice is about 12-16 inches in most places. People are driving on the ice, but remember that ice should never be considered fully safe.
Foster-Arends Lake is still producing some trout (some very nice ones at times) and some small panfish. Minnows and ice jigs tipped with waxies are working best. Some people are also using smaller spoon type baits. Ice is about 12-16 inches in most places.
Chester Woods is slow, but is still producing bluegills and a few crappies. The best area has been out near the dam in the arms with flooded timber. People having the best luck are using electronics to locate fish. The fish have been fairly deep (20+ ft.) and may be suspended slightly off the bottom. Minnows and waxies on small jigs are working. Ice is 10-14 inches in most places.
Willow Creek is still producing bluegills. Best fishng seems to be in about 10+ ft. Small ice jigs tipped with a waxie is working. Ice is 12-16 inches in most places.
The Gamehaven Lake (boy scout camp) is producing bluegills and small crappies. Minnows and small ice jigs with waxies are working. Ice is 10-14 inches in most places.
Country Club Manor pits are producing lots of gills and crappies, although the fish are on the small side. Minnows and small ice jigs tipped with waxies are working. Ice is 10-14 inches in most places.
The Mississippi backwaters are going well some days. The Dike Road is still producing panfish. The harbors have been slow most days. Wilcox, West Newton, the Finger Lakes, Winona, Alma, etc. are all producing fish – mostly bluegills and a few crappies. Small ice jigs tipped with waxies are working, with minnows producing a few fish. Ice in most places is 10-18 inches.
Be careful of any hills leading toward the water as many of them are still very slippery. Please help to keep our fishing areas free from trash. Maybe some of us can make it a habit to take a bag with us and pick up some trash left by others.
Good Fishing,
Mike
