Not having been out on Lake Menomin for over a week, I wasn’t sure how far along the bite was. My last trip out was a complete flop and the motivation today was simply this beautiful weather. As we all know, weather wise, it’s been a weird year and has made for a very unpredictable bite, Menomin no exception. A little over two weeks ago I had water temps in the low 70’s and we now here we sit at 48 degrees.
The crappies are schooling up and if one is found, more than likely there are more to come. I am however surprised to see them still relating to main lake structure and cribs, with only a few showing up in the bay’s. Most of my fish tonight came in 12-14 fow, focusing special attention to areas with visible sticks and structure above the water. Moving from spot to spot was important as the fish seemed to bite almost immediately once you found them. That being said, once one fish was found more never seemed far behind.
While a bobber and minnow combo was effective, the sticks and underwater structure made it an absolute nightmare setting the depth and keeping my bait in the strike zone. Constantly breaking off and snagging up made it an easy choice to stick with one rod and start pitching jig’s. A simple 1/8oz orange/chartreuse precision jig or gold 1/16oz Draggin’ jig tipped with a fathead took almost all the fish tonight. When I would snag up pitching, going vertical over the structure helped ‘feel’ the sticks and prevent snag’s.
Overall I would say the crappie bite is strong, but very different from years past. With these consistent air temps in the forecast I can only assume that the bite will only improve and would guess that those fish will finally start to move into the bays and off the main lake structure.
The weather tonight was fantastic and the lack of boats was surprising. Get out there and enjoy this weather while it lasts, it won’t be long and we’ll be dreaming of day’s like this.
We’ll see ya out there 
Pete
Great report Pete
I was wondering how the crappie bite was going as I drove over the 94 Menomin bridge this past weekend heading to the Dells, now I know
Ron
It looks like it is about time to hit the water. Great report. I guess if your pitching that means the water isn’t so think on top. How late are you at Srout?
Steve
Nice fish & nice report Pete.
That sunset picture is pretty cool!
Thanks Guys!
That sunset picture is a simple reminder of how lucky I am to be over here attending college and have a place like Menomin practically within’ a stones-throw distance.
I’m done most days around noon or so depending on if I work. Flag me down or give me a buzz
Great looking pies Pete!
Jami
Have you taken Brett’s daughter out fishing yet??
Great slabs Pete!!
Awesome specks and great read Pete
How is the crappie bite come ice season? We need to swap a trip
I have been looking the lake over every time I get up there to visit the Daughter at Stout. I have already made a reservation for the futon after a day of ice fishing Menomin 
Kooty, Kooty, Kooty
…your turn is coming soon buddy 
Way to stay after ’em, Pete. Love fishing this time of year…no traffic, no green, unfortunately also no time!
Bret, first ice is usually very good (how many 12″ specks do you want?) but can get crowded in “community” holes. Have to work thru the winter, but they still stay active at times expecially just after dark. There is a 10 panfish limit, which in seeing some of the abuse in certain locations…not a bad thing in my mind. Fish tend to be nomadic without much structure to relate to, but that also means productive days away from “shack city.” There’s also a decent perch bite later thru the ice…
It’s all about catch, picture and release with the specks. Have plenty of them in the home waters here for eating. It is just fun to hit different locations
The perch on the other hand, 10 might need to make a trip back south 
Nice Pies Pete
Awesome report Pete-
Jeremy
Pete,
Nice report and Nice Crappies.
Jack
I’ll drive
Great report Pete
Great Report Pete! Nice fish too. I love fishing crappies this time of year. It’s almost like they’re mad at your bait, SMACK fish on!
It was beautiful here last night too and there were only a couple boats out. I’m not complaining though, how peaceful… The only thing I was missing was that awesome sunset of yours, very nice pic
I might have to stop the pool 4 bite for a bit and get out to the backyard and follow you around…from a distance,besides you dont know my boat..its the 12ft row boat
Strech hit the nail on the head.
I’d still consider myself an amateur ice-fisherman at best and I can still find fish, Bret and Jeff… I don’t think’ you’d have a problem
And Woody…
That is the way I like it just tie up, anchor or hover and set the hook. Crappie are a blast when schooled up and they keep you so busy. BTW Pete those are some really clean looking specks. Nice report
That is the way I like it just tie up, anchor or hover and set the hook. Crappie are a blast when schooled up and they keep you so busy. BTW Pete those are some really clean looking specks. Nice report