The bite over the weekend was much improved from the last week or two. Numbers of anglers either caught their limit each night or were just short by a fish or two. The best report are coming from the South end.
Angle eyes or forage minnow in just about any glow color combination are working wonderfully. There are those pesky walleyes and 10-20 pound Northerns causing action from time to time when the crappies move out making for some pretty intense action.
It was the best weekend yet. Ice condition are good to great with 15-20 inches of thickness. If your not getting bit near or at dark moving just 30 feet can make the difference.
If anyone should have any questions, feel free to drop them for me here or visit the Northern MN Lakes Forum
Well after a decent week of action on the crappies, the bite has slowed considerable now. There are still anglers landing on fish catching a limit here and there, but more anglers are finding like 2-4 fish per trip. This is normally the case on a yearly basis during the month of January. The one hot note for the week are those ever-so big northerns. Numbers of 10-20 pound pike are coming through the ice this week. Also the walleyes which continue to be catch and release only are staying pretty active. So if your headed to red…it could be hit or miss but even if you only catch one, it maybe a true 2 pound fish as reports of numbers of 15 inchers are showing themselves this winter. It should be a great outing come late ice and into the spring open water.
Thanks for the update Sean. I’m making my first trip up there Jan 16th for a couple days. We did great about that time last year, but it’s pretty much a hit-or-miss thing. Sounds like the big pike & walleyes will keep a person busy. Whats been the average size of the walleyes you guys have been catching and releasing when going for those slabs?
The walleyes that are being caught are mainly in the 10-20 inch range, which is about three different year classes. MOst of these fish are fish that were stocked by the DNR and one will come across numbers of those 20-24 inch fish though. Mid January..yep hit or miss would be my guess but if your willing to stay on the move…your bound to find some and if not those walleyes and perch and even pike should keep ya busy.
I don’t know how “mobile” we’ll be… we’re renting a sleeper. I may just bring the portable along… I like to run-n-gun.
Those big pike are a blast on pannie rods. I had a 35+” up to the hole last year on 2# test. Man, that was a battle.