What a year this has been for ice fishing the river in the La Crosse area. We had ice in areas we have not seen ice for years making it possible to stay on a good bite and a verity of species.
Knowing the hard stuff was leaving in a hurry and just making mention it would be a good day on the ice, neutron and I were out of the office and fishing around 9:30am Tuesday March 18th. First thing we noticed was how much the ice had deteriorated since the weekend, we could tell the end of ice season was near so it was time to get as much enjoyment out of it as we could this week 
Things started off a little slow so I stayed on the move following a ledge staying in 18-22fow looking for high flying crappies. A minnow head pierced onto a Demon jig was taking a fish now and then but nothing real fast and furious. On my journey looking for fish I landed on a hole that made the LX-5 look like it found a Christmas tree, it was gills, bass and some slab sized crappies. Just as I started fishing I heard, are you Bret Clark? With nowhere to hide 
I admitted to being him and was glad to meet a lurker, Doug 
…now sign on 
Doug told me he was doing good using a Swedish Pimple and the proof was in his bucket sporting some dandy sized crappies, great job on them specks Doug 
A Silver/Orange pimple found it’s way onto the end of my line and it was a day saver. I was able to close up shop (good thing, I could feel a cold coming on 
) without moving and caught one crappie after another. They started at 10 feet below the ice and ended up only 6 feet below the ice. I was able to put the last fish fry together that I will be keeping this ice season. Thanks again for the heads up Doug 
As for neutron, I think he struggled a bit and was reluctant to move from his spot which was loaded with fish just a couple days ago.
Wednesday March 19th, Mike C and I was able to keep our butts at work all day but, it was hard to do knowing we would be meeting up with Abe and his son Michael to fish with for the first time. It was a nice surprise to see Blue Fleck come out of the crowd who beat us there also
Abe signed on as a member after meeting him and Michael on the ice and told them about the site. It is great to have you on board here at IDO Abe It was also nice to meet Abe’s friend Leif, now you should get signed on too
We walked out on the “kind of like ice” at 4pm in almost 50 degree weather. On the way out I kept the thoughts to myself but, I had the sad feeling this would be my last trip for the season. To find out later Mike, with soaked feet before arriving to the spot, was thinking the same thing.
The pimple was still producing fish but they did slow down some. It seemed the majority of fish also slipped 30-40 yards away from where they were the day before. I believe this is caused by pressure. There were not a lot of people in the area but enough now for two days to make these fish move and tighten up there lips a bit.
Wednesdays big fish award goes to Leif with this slab of a crappie at 14.5 inches. This fish is going on the wall and will make a great looking mount. Very nice pig of a crappie Leif
The best looking fish award goes to Michael with this dandy perch he caught. That is a great looking perch Michael
Being lucky all season and not getting sick….well that changed. The last couple trips have been fun but a work out with a head that feels like it is going to pop at any moment. Mike and I dredged back to our trucks, loaded stuff up and had a barley giving bumps to the ice for an awesome 2007 – 2008 ice fishing season, it will be a hard one to top. This ones in the books and this will be the final chapter
To those of you still getting out……Good luck fishing and be safe
Bret
Here are a few other pictures from the last adventures to the hard stuff.
The first is new IDO member Abe with a couple nice crappies.
We all know this next mug as Blue Fleck
Leif’s slab on a bump board….that is one thick crappie!
The new St. Croix….this rod has been a blast to fish with
My last fish fry thanks to the MarCum which tells all
I would like to thank StrikeMaster for an auger that went through at least 4 gallons of gas this year without a glitch. That puppy made some serious holes this year.
Also thanks you Custom Jig N Spins for an endless style of jigs, spoons, and plastics.
All these tools played a big part in the success the posse and I had on the ice this year
In closing
I had a lot of fun meeting people for the first time and fishing with good friends.
Here are a couple of my favorite pictures from this season, don’t mean to bore anyone
Pictures as follows:
My first time meeting up with herb. Tough bite but we did take some nice fish on the trip he made up here. Blue Fleck with a couple dandy’s the same trip.
The next is Mike C, my long time friend and fishing partner with a pike taken on light tackle fishing eyes.
Good friend Paul with a couple Lake Mille Lacs perch and then my personal best eye through the ice caught on 2# trilene.
I like this picture of pool 8 perch on the ice.
neutron with a dandy white crappie.
It was great to meet and fish with Jeff Jensen (pictured here) and TJ91 on pool 8.
Another big fish taken with 2#trilene and the UL St. Croix.
Like I mentioned, this season was a blast and I had fun fishing with a lot of others from the site. I look forward to meeting new faces and fishing with the friends I have now next season.
Thank you to everyone that has taken the time to read and respond to my reports this season. I had a blast with the reports
After I shake this crud it will be time to get the boat ready for cat slime
Great pics Bret! It’s too bad the season has to come to an end.
Incredible season Bret
The reports and pics this year were second to none,they kept alot of peoples interest up,especially during times of difficult and slow bite periods.
Thanks for showing TJ and I the deep crappies way back when.
Best of luck dealing with ol whiskers in the months ahead!
Yawn…
I’m bored!!!
Just kidding Bret. I don’t think getting bored would be possible when looking at pictures of slabs, gills, perch & walleyes like that thru the ice.
Great pictures.
Congrats on a great year on the ice.
Boog
Every other year I’ve kept a log of our ice fishing adventures, except this year
Have a great Easter Weekend everyone and be safe.
Great report Bret
Michael will be flying high now that his picture is on the website! I had a great time catching a few crappies with you and Mike C. We will definitely have to get out again sometime. The ice is really going fast, not much time left. 
Awesome fish Bret! Those crappies make my heart go pitter-pat!
That Herb is a awfully nice guy. I know first impressions go a long way and that one stuck with me!
Good to see a pic of you getting out fishing Herb!
It was great to meet you this winter Brett! Loved reading your reports.
already looknig forward to next ice-season!
Here was another picture I was looking for, if you put John R and herb in the same room for a night telling stories….everyone’s guts would hurt.
2 of the best
Another great report Bret and congratulations to you and everyone else on Pool 8. You guys had a great year through the ice!
Great reports bret
It’s sad to see the season end for you guys. Up north we are still sitting on 28-34 inches of ice yet 
with the bite starting to pick-up with some warmer weather moving in. Highs in the upper 30’s has dropped the snow making driving on the lakes much much easier. If ya get the itch to get out in the next month you know where to find me. 
Mr. Clark,
I want to Thank You for another GREAT ice fishing season. Sean would also like to thank you for the inside information. This week he went to Gpa’s house and couldn’t stop talking about the fishing trip last weekend. To me, that is what it’s about. I have always said, you are a good friend and and a great outdoorsman. I have had the luch of fishing with Bret on several outings and have always walked away with something new.
I have also had a great season, and met a lot of good people from this site. I hope to have the chance to fish with you all again.
Now BRING on the Open Water.
JP Mason
Bret and Jim,
I was chatting with Sean this morning about his Spring Break and he was happy to talk about his fishing success. I asked him where he was, and he quickly said, “I can’t say. Bret told me not to!” You’ve got him trained well, but is it necessary to put a blindfold on the boys when driving to and from your hotspot?
Curt
Nice report Bret!
Now get off the ice so it can melt!
great report Bret.