Outstanding first ice outings of the year!!!
The first ice bite of the year has been simply said "outstanding" with great numbers of panfish being caught along with some really, really big pike and walleyes.
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This past week we have had a very good panfish bite when working shallow weeds in 3 to 5 feet of water. Large gills and an occasional crappie have been taking our presentations along with a few perch. We have also been getting quite a few nice crappies over deeper water as well. Some really nice slabs have been holding in 15 to 20 feet of water about 1 to 3 feet off the bottom. Small ice jigs in black and purple have produced the best for us this past week when tipped with a small spike or a waxie. We have been seeing more and nicer crappies when we have been tipping the lures with small plastics as well.
The northern pike have really turned up big this year and we have been seeing some real giants. Most of our fish are coming in less than 5 feet of water on tip-ups baited with a large golden shiner or a small sucker minnow. We are running our baits about a foot below the ice on most occasions and adding a few attractor beads and blades to the line for added color and noise to help attract an aggressive pike.
For you walleye guys the night bite has been fantastic!!! We are catching quite a few very nice eaters in the 15 to 20 inch range along with some real slobs in the slot that are up to and over 28 inches. Most of our fish are being caught in less than 5 feet of water between 4PM and midnight. We are running tip-ups baited with golden shiners or small sucker minnows that are set right near the bottom. Last week we even picked up a stay mud-puppy at 10PM that thought a golden shiner would be a tasty meal! See attached photos for this prehistoric looking creature!
Have a great week,
Phil Schweik
Licensed Wisconsin Hunting & Fishing Guide
Hooksetters Guide Service www.hooksetters.biz
Ruttnut Guide Service www.ruttnut.com
Reed & Hoppe Wildlife Food Plots www.foodplotting.com