This weekend ice fishing started early with a trip to the hard water after work Friday evening for Steve and I to see if there was a bite going on in the dark. There was a lot of fish moving through the area but not a lot of action. A gusting North wind and rising barometer made for a tough bite with only a few nice takers at first and a dead bite at dark. Knowing there were plenty of good sized fish in the area the plans were made to be back on the ice in the same spot first thing Saturday morning, it was a good call. Mike C, Marlin, Steve and I were set up before light and the morning bite proved to be much better.
With less wind and a steady to dropping barometer we found a much better bite. Action was good from 7ish until 11:00am with a few takers into the noon hours. The fish we found were hanging out in a bay with a depth of 8 feet. The nicer crappies were coming through at 5 feet and up. There were a number of crappies hitting right below the ice. During the first 4 hours I had gone through almost 2 tins of waxies which were hanging on an Orange Moxy Jig. With murky water conditions the flash from the 2 little blades seemed to be the ticket. After a few attempts with other jigs it seemed the orange Moxy would always find its way right back on my line 
For all four of us orange or orange/yellow was the color to have on, I however won bragging rights for numbers and size using the Moxy jig on this day 
There was no rime to reason for the presentation. Some of the fish would chase the jig up, some wanted the jig on the drop while others just wanted the jig stationary with some twitching. As the fish would show up on the LX-5 the trick was to watch there reaction to the jig and keep changing up the presentation until it triggered the strike. The majority of crappies were 9-11inches with some twelve’s thrown in the mix. Mike C had a hard time with a few pigs at the hole only to blurt out a few 
words as he watched them turn and swim away just under the ice 
We were on 3 inches of solid ice with the sounds of popping all around us as it expanded 
As the weather starts to stable (staying cold I pray), a little more ice and a possible snow cover on the way, the crappie bite should only be getting better 
With the hopes of more ice on the way I will start targeting crappies in deeper water. Sharp drops into 20+ feet of water make a great hangout for crappies. Added with deep water, wood, rock piles, and other man made structures are better crappie hangouts yet. The night time bite should also pick up in a few weeks. I find February to be a good month for the after dark bite. Hope to see you out there, I’ll leave the light on
Bret
Mike C also found a couple nice gills in the mix!
Not wanting to get the greed thing going but wanting a fish fry I kept a mix of crappies while releasing a lot of fish. Putting them back seems to keep them fresher than the freezer
Mike C had the same idea!
Steve with a couple crappies that hit Friday night.
Thanks for the report Bret. Sounds like alot of fun and glad to see you figured out what had to be done to catch them.
This cold coming through could last quite awhile from what I have heard. Just hope the snow we are getting here in Rochester doesn’t amount to much as I want some more good solid ice before we get much snow. 
Thanks, Bill
Hey Bret,
Although that is a darn fine report and some great pictures of all of you guys and your catch………..
BITE MEEEEEEEEEEEE
Yep Bill, we need more ice before much snow falls!
Thank you Herb
I sure hope you get some ice soon, your getting cranky
Nice report Bret!
I knew I should have went fishing with you guys
Great report Bret and crew
Nice looking slabs and gills there Bret
I’m hoping this week will lock things up down this way. If not, see you on friday night!
Gee Brett, looks like I’ll have to come visit my
in-laws so I can get out with you–good post!
Bob
Great report Buddy Bret
That was a blast yesterday and I sure wish I had those 2 pigs I lost right at the ice 
. I do have some of those moxy rigs now also 
Like Bret said the afternoon bite got a little more challenging and I found that changing up often was the answer and for some reason they just wanted to see verticle jigs. Changing color after each fish seemed to keep me busy – if I didn’t change after catching one you could see them all on my LX-3 having a conference and then leaving. 
It was nice to get back on the ice. 
I sure hope this week goes fast as I’m looking forward the GTG at Mille Lacs. 
Sounds like a great day of fishing. Great report.
I haven’t been out in what seems like an eternity so I have to live vicariously through these reports.
Bret~
Thanks for the report and a bit of knowledge on hunting them crappies in the colder times…
Very nice Bret!
nice crappies and gills guys! looks like it would make one good meal
great report! Thoose are some really crappies and gills.
Great Job
Just trying to remember is pool 8 wabasha area
LaCrosse area