12-26-13 Central Wisconsin Outdoor Report

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all...

The snow is piling up on the lakes and travel conditions are becoming an issue when it comes to getting to local ice fishing hotspots, but angers are still proceeding onto the ice and with that, they are doing quite well.

The walleye bite has continued to be very good at nighttime with some decent catches of fish in the 15 to 18 inch range with a few nice fish in the 20+ inch range. Most of these fish are coming on tip-ups in shallow water related to weeds.

Northern pike have been quite aggressive with some dandy fish being reported. Guys are getting fish on tip-ups baited up with large golden shiners set right under the ice in 3 to 6 feet of water.

The crappie and bluegill bite is very good with nice catches coming form 10 to 16 feet of water on tip-downs baited with small minnows or by guys jigging small ice jigs and spoons tipped with waxies and spikes.

Catfish are showing up more and more on our outings and most of the action is coming from deeper water associated with the main river channel. Now normally we can't get to the catfish this early in the year but with the early freeze up and good ice anglers are venturing out to places they don't normally get to until mid January and they are doing quite well.

Have a great week,

Phil Schweik

Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide

Hooksetters Guide Service  www.hooksetters.biz

Hookset adventures  www.hooksetadventures.com

Ruttnut Guide Service  www.ruttnut.com

Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots   www.foodplotting.com

Hooksetters Guide Adam Rasmussen cooking up lunch on the ice. Gilled salmon, bacon wrapped chicken and seasoned potatoes.

Chris Blank with a nice night bite walleye.

Tom and his 86 year old dad with a couple of nice panfish.

A nice pile of panfish and a walleye from an afternoon of scouting a new lake.