Chris (C&R) & I hit the woods in search of some gills & Slabbers the last couple of evenings. Setting up in deep water (30+ FOW) & finding some gills was not the problem, It was feeling comfortable sitting on 3 inches of ice & fishin into the night for fish like this slabber.
As the sun went down the fish were rising on our graphs suspending at 20ft & up over 30fow & willing to chase our lures. (Pink & white Rat finky) NOT purple BK! LOL Not a secert lure this time, PINK & WHITE rat finky!! Here’s C&R with a nice crappie caught on a rat finky bought at HOF in Rochester. Stop by & see Mike & he will set ya up with some.
Chris got this gill well into the night & it was a nice one at that, pushin the 9 in range. We fished til about 10 pm last night & called it a night.
Lets just say that there are fish to be caught, BUT use a spud & go slow. The ice depths change from place to place out there so don’t just go walkin. The far side still has some open water filled with geese. Good fishin & BE SAFE
AND CHRIS, IT’s always fun sharing the boat OR ice with ya, Anytime my friend!!! Anytime.
more pics
one more
Thanks for the report!
Just waiting for chance to get out there!!
Great looking specks Doug!!!
nice crappie doug
Nice report Doug!
Thanks for the report and pics Doug. Very nice to see the crappies biting. Let me know when the ice is alot thicker as I’m one of those ”still alive guys because I’m chicken” of not so thick ice. I need it thicker before going there. Thanks guys for the report but please play it safe.
Thanks, Bill
It must be a age
thing Bill because I am chicken too. 
Is there any info on Chester on the DNR site? I did a search and came up empty.
Hey Bill…..since the guys are gonna let you know when it’s safer out there..how about giving me a shout? I’m no superhero on thin ice either. My Guide holds two nicely.
Thanks, Frank
Try Bear Creek Reservoir – the official name nobody but the DNR uses.
Thanks
Doug is right, please be careful if you go out before another good freeze! Our holes grew a couple of inches while we were out and we were only using lanterns. The recent warm temps and rain Tuesday night have done the ice no good.
That being said….WOOHOO ice fishing is fun
Last night the rat finke took top honors like Doug said and I have to thank him for having a couple of extras with him 
Some other jigs worked too but not nearly as well. Monday night a perch forage minnow tipped with waxies was the ticket but I bet I woulda done better with the rat 
Always a good time fishing with ya Doug and I’d imagine it won’t too long before it happens again….although it may be in a boat if this weather doesn’t chill out
If anyone decides to hit up the woods before another freeze put your picks around your neck and bring a friend….just in case.
Chris
And make your friend go first!
Just kiddin
Just a FYI. The ice at Chesterwoods is really taking a beating with the temps. Was out again tonight & I won’t be back till it gets Cold. Bummer
Where’s winter????