3/02 Rochester Area Fishing Summary

  • hof
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 2443
    #1317647

    Most area ice is around 8-16 inches. Use caution and remember that the DNR always says that no ice is ever 100% safe.

    Lake Zumbro:
    Crappies are starting to come much easier than they have all winter, and nice gills are still being caught regularly. Gills are fairly tight to the bottom in deep water, with crappies higher up off the bottom. Ice jigs tipped with waxies or spikes seem to be working best, but minnows are starting to produce a few fish.

    Foster Arends Lake:
    Minnows, waxies, and power bait are working on trout or try flash lures like Swedish Pimples. Some small crappies, perch, and gills are also being caught.

    Chester Woods:
    Some nice gills and a few crappies are being caught on ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike, or minnows. Crappies are biting best late afternoon into the evening.

    Willow Creek:
    Some nice gills are being caught on ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike.

    Boyscout (Gamehaven) Lake:
    Good action on gills and some crappies. Ice jigs tipped with spikes or waxies are working.

    Country Club (Cascade) ponds:
    Fairly good action on bluegills and crappies. Ice jigs tipped with a waxie or spike are producing fish.

    Mississippi River backwaters:
    Most of the backwaters have 6-14 inches of ice. Wilcox, West Newton, the Dike Road, Moseman’s, Finger Lakes, and several boat harbors should be worth checking for action on gills and crappies. Ice jigs tipped with a waxie or small jigs with plastic (like Ratso’s) are usually best. Minnows are worth a try in some areas.

    Stop by Hooked On Fishing for all your fishing needs. We have the largest selection of ice jigs in the area, and offer new ice auger blades at the lowest prices. We also have sucker minnows, fathead minnows, crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, and red spikes.
    We are located 1 1/2 miles past 37 St. NW on Hwy. 63 (North Broadway.)

    Good Fishing,
    Mike

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    #426173

    Thanks Mike. Sure looks like the ice fishing is picking up and getting better. Time to get out and enjoy the ice fishing before spring starts knocking at the door. Which ice jigs seem to be the hot jigs even in the spring and summer?

    Mike, do you still have all your ice stuff out so people can stock up before the season ends because those ice jigs catch a ton of fish ALL year long.

    Thanks, Bill

    hof
    Rochester, MN
    Posts: 2443
    #426219

    Quote:


    Which ice jigs seem to be the hot jigs even in the spring and summer?

    Mike, do you still have all your ice stuff out so people can stock up before the season ends because those ice jigs catch a ton of fish ALL year long.
    Thanks, Bill


    The hot jigs for open water are mini-mites, which we have all year round. The ice jigs still work very well in open water, such as ratso’s, rat finke’s, and tear drop jigs. I still have a great selection of ice jigs and will probably stock them in the open water season as well.

    Good Fishing,
    Mike

    bill_cadwell
    Rochester, Minnesota
    Posts: 12607
    #426379

    The hot jigs for open water are mini-mites, which we have all year round. The ice jigs still work very well in open water, such as ratso’s, rat finke’s, and tear drop jigs. I still have a great selection of ice jigs and will probably stock them in the open water season as well.

    Good Fishing,
    Mike


    GREAT!!! Thanks Mike. These ice jigs work very well for panfish all year long. And of course the Mini-Mites are dynomite on open water panfish. I probably bought a hundred of them over the year last year. Add a waxie [if they are real fussy] and FISH ON!!!
    Thanks, Bill

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