Watching the weather pattern moving in on the La Crosse area a difficult bite was expected this weekend. High Pressure, some wind, and a cold front moving in with a vengeance were taken into consideration while putting a game plan together for the weekend. Mikehd and I both agreed something close by and easy to get on and off by foot travel would not be a bad idea. A North end community hole was the call and we were on the ice by 7am Saturday Morning. The walk out in 2 degrees had just enough snap to the air making a guy feel alive and in touch with Ma Nature.
While setting up in the dim light just off a sand bar in 8fow the temp didn’t appear to be bad. Once settling down though the cold became noticeable making it time to shed the jacket, button up the Otter and start working on the task at hand……catching finned critters.
The last trip made into this little backwater lake had fish coming top side with baits placed 6 foot below the ice so this would be the starting point. Once the bait hit the targeted portion in the water column the bottom would come to life while watching the LX-5. The bites were light and the fish were small. Noticing a few flashes 4 feet below, the baits started to be worked higher in the water column. With the puck pulled up into the hole a ways and centered, the offerings could be seen on the MarCum while fishing 2-3 feet below the ice. This made for nice thick red lines showing up at 4-5 feet sniffing on the bait. Change after change was made looking for a set up that would turn finicky critters into bitters.
It happened with the Green/Silver Slender Spoon. 12 inches of white sided black dotted crappie took the fluttering spoon and the feeling of game on came over this happy fisherman until it happened. The late comers starting heading for ice and there game plan was to set up in the same area. Targets disappeared from the LX-5 as a few groups set up on top of us. This is to be expected when fishing a community hole, how you handle the situation will either make you or break you 
While augers were running nonstop and others were setting up a cup of java was poured. A break was taken while sitting back in the chair sippin’ away on the mud. An eye was kept on the tattle tail machine without seeing anything riding high in the water column again. After letting the newcomers get settled in the tools of the trade were gathered up and being pulled out of the crowd. Punching better than 15 holes and looking for fish once again it finally happened a good 50yards away from the activity, high flyers were being marked. It was time to set up and get back to work.
Another 2 beautiful Pool 8 Black Crappie specimens took the offering along with some bigger gills before calling it a day around 2 O’clock. The move paid off putting us on nicer fish than the starting point. The bite was tough but rewarding when the tactics would get a swimmer to take the mock food.
The Slender Spoon and a #12 Firetiger Gill Pill tipped with waxies ended up being the 2 best baits on this day. And like mentioned, a tough day it was but once landing in the right area the few takers that committed made for a good game of tug-a-war 
Before leaving Dave and I agreed to meet up Sunday at the same spot to see if there was a change in the fishes attitudes. And there was….it just got tougher 
Sunday morning was bitter cold at -12 degrees with a North wind. Storm sewer systems rolled with steam and the truck windows were a chore to keep clear of frost without over heating the cab while wearing the StikeMaster Bibs. There was not going to be much hole hopping in this weather.
Making a bee line for the area we left the day before there was a high hope that the fish were still hanging around. Quick work was made out of punching a hole with the StrikeMaster and setting up the Otter then getting the heater burning. The MarCum puck was quickly dropped in and the unit fired up. There were still some targets hanging around in the area near a sparse weed edge in 7fow however, there attitudes changed and it was time to start over figuring out what it would take to get these guys to open there pie holes. The Slender Spoon produced a Bass, one nice speck and two bull gills before it died off. Almost tired of dropping different styles, colors and baits but hangin’ in there, I found the #8 Blood Red Shrimpo tipped with a waxie to be irresistible too the schooling predators below.
Still keeping higher in the water column found keeper fish. This day we fished till noon and the score was another 3 dandy crappies along with 7 respectable Blue Ears and many 7-9inch crappies released. Two days and one fish fry, that’s a tough bite in my book, but it still felt rewarding to get a few decent pannies at the same time!
Dave’s high light was brought to him from schooling Bass. 1 toad caught for a pic and two break offs. It’s always fun when the Large Mouths want to play. Dave was also able to take a few dandy gills home.
Thanks to the Otter which made it possible to ice some fish during this cold front 
With the light bite, staying out of the wind was critical for line watching. This unit is comfortable to fish from helping keep your mind focused on the task at hand instead of a sore back or cold feet. Keeping the line and hole ice free was another bonus during the soft bite.
Not a fast paced weekend by any means but, another good weekend spending time with friends, Old Man Winter, and putting another adventure in the book!
Good luck fishing Iceheads 
Home away from home
This Bass liked the Slender spoon. Notice in the back ground there are 2 marks waiting to play……I still took time for the picture though
Nice report Bret way to make the best of a tough bite
You always seem to entice a few good ones top side Bret!
Thanks for the great report.
I love the “never-say-die” attitude Brett! I know what you mean about taking the time to take some pics and document your work. Not an easy thing to do with biters on the flasher, especially with the brutal cold temps making everything more difficult.
I was wondering what you’re looking for in terms of these mid-winter backwater hangouts for crappies. Are you looking for certain depths, flows (some or none), or weed growth? This is definitely a game I’d like to learn how to play better. How do you sort through unproductive water? Maps, on-ice as you go?
Joel
Looks like you got a nice bite going there Bret!!!
Another great, detailed report Bret.
Harsh conditions just seem to make you more bull headed which usually produces good reading in our warm dens
Keep up the hard work and someday soon we’ll meet up for a little ice time
As far as studying maps I have mentioned before, my two favorite tools are Google Earth (an easy free down load) and Bathymetry which is down for maintenance as I write this
There is no substitute for time spent on the water year round and keeping logs. It doesn’t take long to find the pattern fish are using in your area.
As the season gets later backwater lakes close to flow (fed by sloughs, just off the main channel, spillways or springs) will have greater oxygen levels than backwater lakes off the beatin’ path. Oxygen makes for active fish. Talking crappies, deep water near and brush piles are great, if you can find any weed growth this time of the year it is a bonus. Running into schooling shad can be a pain but, if the shad are there the paper mouths are there too!!!!
Another bonus is being not to far off spawning sites. This last trip was only yards from a crappie spawning site. I know it’s a little early yet but crappies will start staging under the ice as long as the proper requirements are in the area.
Crappies are also nomads and will move from day to day making for the famous words “you should have been here yesterday”!! Keep in mind if you should have been there yesterday……them fish are probably only 50 yards or so away and most guys cannot get themselves to move away from what they think is a honey hole.
And as always, when specks are traveling just below the ice, do not hesitate to pack up and move away from the crowd. These fish are just under your feet and commotion will turn finicky fish into zipper shut pie holes.
Drill enough holes that once you are done the first ones have had a chance to settle down and start hopping around looking for targets.
That’s pretty much it in a nut shell.
Awesome post!
Was kinda wondering the same thing as Joel.
No doubt, phenomenal. You are a true river rat Brett! Thanks so much for the detailed information!
Joel
Bret great point about fishing in shallow water! Simply moving the ducer up into hole and centering the puck will allow more of a cone angle in the shallow water, allowing you to target fish a bit easier. Once again great tip, that gill looks like its fake, great colors…
Great read Bret, nice job on some solid fish in some cold
conditions 
I always look forward to Bret’s posts!!
You took the words out of my mouth
That first pic is great, I love the color on that fish!
way to go bret
Great job Bret !
Thanks guys for the reply’s. I wasn’t sure the weekend was front page material being it wasn’t a lights out bite but thought it couldn’t hurt letting everyone know what tactics were used to try and turn things around.
Better days are coming, get after em Iceheads
Excellent info in this post Bret. Very nice!!!
We love to hear how everyone’s doing, even when the bite isn’t good. Esp. when the bite isn’t good! Like any good research, knowing what doesn’t work and where it doesn’t work is just as important as knowing what does.
Joel
Master Brett !!!
Anyone can catch fish when they’r bitt’n… You always seem to coax them pannies to the top !!
Well done buddy
Great Report Bret