120513 - Rice Lake Report
The nine day gun deer hunt is finished. Cold temperatures froze over the area lakes and people are starting to venture onto the ice in search of fish. Make sure to use extreme caution right now. One area can have good ice, while other areas might be thinner. One positive note for this year, is we had real cold temps to make good ice before we got this snow. However, the snow will be added weight on that ice, so be careful and walk to your location.
Walleyes are a key target right now for early ice anglers. Find areas in 6-15 feet of water to jig and deploy tip ups. Hard bottom areas such as rock, rubble, and sand are great starting points. However, do not overlook weed beds which hold fish cruising the edges. Tip ups can be tipped with suckers or shiner minnows. If you are getting fish to take the bait and drop it, put on a fat head minnow.
Search the shallows in early ice for the panfish before they start spreading out deeper. Sunken wood, cribs, or weed edges will concentrate these fish. A small jig tipped with a wax worm should catch perch, gills, and crappies.
Good luck fishing and remember, introduce someone new into the outdoors. They will appreciate it for a lifetime.
Jordan Marsh
Marsh Outdoors
For information on lodging, dining, entertainment and more outdoors in the Rice Lake area connect with….
Nicky Repka
Visitor Coordinator / Marketing
Rice Lake Tourism
715.234.8888
800.523.6318
Fax- 715.434.8888
www.ricelaketourism.com