ice fishing koshkonong

Last year I tried Koshkonong for eyes and got shut out. What do the locals do on the ice there?

Great question, it’s a big lake and even I get skunked at times. I don’t ice fish as much as I did years ago because this Lake is very dangerous and scares me in the winter. I’ve seen to many anglers lose there life on this lake plus I’m not young anymore so I can’t walk 1 to 2 miles out on the lake. But one thing this Lake is in it’s prime. If I had a 4 wheeler I would be out there at least twice a week. Most ice angler fish the ice heaves, please be careful if you drive on this lake. The ice conditions change daily. If you really want to fish this lake you can’t wait for the fish to come to you. You have to keep moving. Soon as you fine fish there gone just as fast. 4 wheelers and power augers a must. Stay away from the crowds, there waiting for the fish to come to them and do more drinking than fishing. This lake should bring in some nice walleyes this year but you will have to put your time in. Miday can be hot at times but you can’t beat the morning bite and just before dark.

Quote:

---

Last year I tried Koshkonong for eyes and got shut out. What do the locals do on the ice there?

---

Hey Whiskerkev, heres a quote from your advice to me when I was looking for someone to take me on a guided cat trip

“The rock river is known for great big cats. They like to rest behind boulders on the Rock river during the daytime. As a catting fool, I would never ever ever guide a person to my spots unless I could get them lost first or they were going to return the favor.”

So, same to you on Koskonong. I’d show you, but I’d have to get you lost first!

Quote:

---

Hey Whiskerkev, heres a quote from your advice to me when I was looking for someone to take me on a guided cat trip

“The rock river is known for great big cats. They like to rest behind boulders on the Rock river during the daytime. As a catting fool, I would never ever ever guide a person to my spots unless I could get them lost first or they were going to return the favor.”

So, same to you on Koskonong. I’d show you, but I’d have to get you lost first!

---

Wow…tough bunch here! Tis the season to be jolly, fellas….. how bout just a couple of hints??

Ok—one tip. This is a huge secret so keep it to yourself. Forget the standard tip ups. Use a cork bobber on your standard tip up line, the stopper for the bobber should be a pheasant tail feather, 10 to 12 inches. Use cork and feather that just floats with size of minnows you are using. This combination constantly keeps the bait moving, the wind blows the feather.

Well I guess I better go pheasant hunting.

HUMMMMM

Pheasant + cork = walleye?

This equation sounds like a recipe that only the Rock River could produce.

I guess we have all seen stranger things.

D

Out from Vinni Haha launch the ice is really only 3 1/2 inches the top three inches is icy slush. I saw a guy in a snow mobile slow down and the rear of the sled went through lucky it was only two feet deep.

Walleye bite has been good over the weekend between two guys we got four keepers size eyes each 16-22 and alot of little dinks, a few white bass. Quite a few drops. My suggestion is to make sure you have lots of reflective tape on your tip ups the snowmobiles have a tendency to run them over. (could be alchohol related on occasion)

I stress jeff’s point be careful out there. We found areas out there with only a inch of ice and others with almost five. It seemed like every area that was covered with snow had less ice. keep a safety rope with you and don’t fish alone. The cold water might not get ya but the mud on the bottom sure will.

Jeff I have a brand new Arctic Cat 650 set up for ice ready to go lets go fishing.

Thanks for the offer, Lets go, but the ice has to be better. I will not die from this lake. Soon as we get 8 to 10 inchs we can hook up. I have GPS areas for good fishing. Let keep in touch

Quote:

---

Jeff I have a brand new Arctic Cat 650 set up for ice ready to go lets go fishing.

---

Glad you are using that GPS Jeff.

Like you need it anyway

I think you were born with fish radar.

Save some for me. Found a different Kosh lake map with some interesting potential waypoints that I haven’t seen on other map. If I can find these spots next year look out. I may have some new spots not to catch fish.

Be safe all.

D

Derek…you’re too tough on yourself…last two times I fished with you at the Rock, you did good. I think you’re trying to sandbag us, so that we don’t scout you out and follow you, like we all try to do with Jeff. In case I forget later on, wishing all you guys a very Merry Christmas, and looking forward to some more fun on the water (the soft water, not this hard stuff). come-on, warm-up! I got cabin fever real earlythis year, and that ain’t good. My New Year’s resolution for 2006…..try to get Jeff to try some other water….fat chance, you say?? Never say never.

Cabin Fever hasn’t hit me too bad yet. Looking forward to icing some perch this year on other lakes but can’t wait for the Rock to open up. This has been a strange year so far. Cold early and more snow. Maybe the rock will have a good spring time flow.

We can only hope.

May have to hit the lakefront from the shore since there is still some open water and the browns are hitting pretty good.

Gotta smoke some more trout and salmon. I refuse to buy salmon.

And no I am not talking about Rock River Salmon

D

Thanks for the advice. Hey Carpking, I would be happy to take you catting on Mendota anytime. I must have been stressed that day. I have never actually fished the rock for cats only heard others talking about it. I appreciate everyone’s advice.

Just got back from the big mississippi panfish crazy. Hoping with this cold the last few days the ice has become a little safer. I will be heading out for the Kosh friday after work. I just got a call from a fellow ironworker buddy that lives on the lake. He says out from Vinni haha the ice is growing since the weekend. He says five to 6 inches.That is out a quarter mile or so from the launch there in three foot of water.

Please PM me those way points buddy

Quote:

---

Found a different Kosh lake map with some interesting potential waypoints that I haven’t seen on other map.

---

Be safe bud, what time do you get done work? Are the eyes bitting?

Quote:

---

I will be heading out for the Kosh friday after work.

---

Hi all My dad finally log me in

Welcome aboard Connor, sorry it took so long. Stephanie had something to do with that.

Hi Conner!
Glad you could join in
Looks like your dad is getting you started out right.

dave

Made it up there did pretty good in the 40 degree heat wave.
6 fish in three hours between two of us.5— 15 to 18 inch fish. One fish 22 inches. Best bite between 5 :00 p.m. and 7:30p.m. Fishing about a quarter mile northeast of Vinni haha near the rock pile at the mouth of the river. Seems like the eyes are coming up in the shallows in two to three foot of water pushing the baitfish. My camera at times was nothing but glowin eyes. Jeff I didn’t see your post till today. Hopefully we’ll get some cold weather again this week’s forecast isn’t looking to promising. I am heading for the Ole Miss this morning going after those pannies down in Savannah.

Welcome aboard Conner,

Now we can really hear how the fishing has been. No more of Jeff taking credit for Conner’s fish.

JP, When I find these spots next year I’ll let ya know where.