Had the opportunity to fish this lake four times since last Tuesday (12-30-03). Have found the panfish action to be decent. Decent enough to keep me coming back! On these outings I have fished the afternoon/early evening bite twice and the morning bite twice. I have found the afternoon/early evening bite to be the best.
The afternoon bite seems to get going about 3:00 p.m. and starts to slow around 5:30 p.pm. The sunfish/bluegills and crappies are the species that are most willing to bite at this time of the day. Fish have been in 18′ of water and are between 1′ to 3′ off the bottom. Using your electronics has been key to keeping your offering in the fish’s face. Electronics have also been key in detecting the bites of these finicky crappies. Often times all you would feel as you raised your jig was just slight pressure. At other times you felt nothing. As you raised you jig you wouldn’t see any seperation between your teardrop & the fish you were marking. If this happened – set the hook – fish on! This pic is from one evenings outing. I know some people are not in favor of the stringer or cleaning table photos, so I apologize in advance if I offended anyone. I wanted to show an example of some of the fish I have been getting.
The morning bite wasn’t quite as good and the size of fish tended to be a little smaller. However, if you were patient and sorted through the smaller ones, you would ice some decent fish. Perch and sunfish/bluegills were the species willing to bite. Depths were the same as the afternoon bite. However, this morning when things slowed I moved into 20′ of water and found some decent ‘gills. These fish were a little higher off the bottom – 4’.
Presentation for all species was the same – waxies on glow teardrops. We did dunk some minnows but they just didn’t produce like the waxies & teardrops.
Great report Dan, You didn’t offend me any with the photo. I love a nice fish fry and like seeing the size of the fish on different lakes. Thanks for the depth, and the best bite times. Is the ice thick enough to drive on or are you fishing within walking distance from launch area. Thanks Steve
Good report coot, electronics are the key to those light biters. Good trick on the electro hook set, I will have to remember that one. It will be a while before I get back up to the Rice Lake area, we’ll have to hit the water sometime.
Be a Mudduck and say it loud
#5
Steve – guys are driving all over up there. Myself, I am still a little gun shy so I use the 4-wheeler. A person could walk out if they wanted as I have been fishing approx. 100 yards off the landing.
#5 – We will have to hit the water sometime. If not up this way, maybe down your way. My mom-in-law, sis-in-law, etc. all live in Rochester. Gotta love that Mudduck thing!