Today wasn’t about numbers I just wanted to find a few nice fish for fun. I hit a small La Crosse area lake to see about the walleye or crappie bite. Tip ups produced the nicer fish.
I set up on a sand flat in 5 fow. Tip up flags kept me busy for awhile. Small #10 treble with a healthy size crappie minnow. I ran my split shot 8 inches above the minnow on 4 pound mono. The best bite was from 8:30 – 9:30am. I didn’t find big numbers of fish, and the ones around were tough to get. I hit on a couple slab crappies but, for the most part the crappies and eyes were running 8 – 10 inches.
For jigging, Swedish Pimple with a minnow head would entice some hits. I would have to drum the bottom to stir things up. If I didn’t have something on the LX-5 chasing me on the lift, I would drop it right back at them. It seem the eyes hit it on the drop and the crappies hit it on the lift. It was enough action to keep it fun. It was something to do while waiting for a flag.
The nicest walleye was 14.5”. It was a nice day to be on the ice. The wind was mild and the sun felt great. It is good to feel a brisk bite on the face in the morning again! I was on a good 6 inches of ice and mother nature is finally make some more. It is looking better maybe for a good late February crappie bite.
Nice job Bret
Looks like you got some nice eaters there.
You dog Bret
I am extremelly happy to see you found a walleye there 
Nice crappies as well 
Nice fish Buddy Bret. I spent the day setting up my new fish tank – now instead of freezing my
with you on cold days like yesterday I’ll just drop a line in the fish tank, turn on ESPN, open a cold one and jig for goldfish. 
So what night are we going to hit em this week?
I think I might have found a nice night spot! Guess we won’t know until we hit it
Good job Bret
,nice looking fish 
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That a boy, way to get out there
Nice fish Bret!
How long was that big crappie?
Thanks for the report and pics Bud. See, we still have snow and ice ”some places” even without my Lund sitting in the driveway. [private joke]
You seem to have the snow though as I have hardly any. 
Thanks, Bill
Luke, the nicest crappie was just over 14.5′ I caught some 13 – 14 inches also. Like I said, for the most part they were running 8 -10. All fish were released except 2 that would not have made it.
Bill, does this mean we will get another cold snap and snow when the Lund comes out
Nice report Bret..That slab looks like it may be as big as that walleye
Can you tell me where is this lake in La Crosse? Thanks
Bill, does this mean we will get another cold snap and snow when the Lund comes out
I sure hope not. Come March I want warm weather. [well I can dream can’t I?]
Thanks, Bill
Bret nice fish, I hope your dad and I can catch some nice ones next month.
Thanks rockpile. I hope you and my dad tie into some big reds. I know he is looking forward to it. Sounds like he found a good friend
Also, Welcome to IDA
I hope we do tie into some nice one’s I will send some pics if we do.I’m the one who has found a good friend.