Different this year or not?

Has the ice fishing this year been good, bad or indifferent?
Or should we just say it has been different. All agree that an ice fishing season really is three seasons within one. First ice, mid ice and late ice. How many would vote first ice as best ice? I would throw a vote in that direction, but have always favored late ice about as much. Then of course there is that dreaded mid ice, this time of year, mid January when fishing can get tough. I think this year has been the exception. I contribute the warmer weather and not much snow. Remember more lite, more oxygen equal active fish. Shallower spots are holding fish longer. Mike/HOF and I up to a few days ago were catching nice sized gills and crappies in only 4 1/12 feet of water with much deeper water nearby. We have fished all depths this year and our best has been up shallow. Our bait and jig selection has stayed somewhat the same as in years past so no major modifictions needed there. Can’t help believe it is the milder winter that is making the difference this year. I have always maintained a year without much snow is a better ice fishing year. With the weather forecast, continued warmer then usual weather, the ice fishing just might hold up. Can’t believe I am thinking of late ice already.

For me it depends on what I’m fishing for. I like early ice for eye’s, then I move to crappies after the eye bite slows, when that tails off I chase jumbo’s/eye’s late ice. I do think this year has been “slower” than years past.

BIRDDOG

I think this year we classify ice as: Thin Ice; A little Ice; and Some Cruddy Ice. I cannot wait for: “No Ice”.

Early ice was a good bite for alot of people. Mid ice has been hot if you hit it at the right times like around sundown on some lakes and theres even been a hot bite late mornings too on certain bodies of water. Seems like mostly under 10 feet has the best action. Like Ron said less snow equals more sunlight equals more activity for the fish. The lack of alot of snow means the sunlights goes further down through the ice and that makes a warmer bottom which attracts fish. Last weekend I was fishing in 4-5 ft of water. The bite happened to be very slow during the day but as we got towards sundown the bite turned on. Difference of night and day in the bite. As much as I love fishing open water I still plan on geting in some more ice fishing first. So far I would have to rate this year as being a good year for icing panfish.
Thanks, Bill