Rice Lake Fishing Report 1/15/13
The rain last week knocked out all remaining snow on the local lakes, and with cold temperatures now and forecasted for the next several days, we are really going to make some solid ice.
Take caution if you are going to be driving full sized vehicles on the lakes. You never know when you are going to run into a thin spot on the ice, and no fish is worth the risk of putting a vehicle through the ice.
Ice shacks have been lit up like Christmas trees every evening, as they should be with the bite the crappies are giving us. The prime time sun down bite is the best, but don't shy away from leaving the hole as soon as the fish stop biting.
The crappies swim in schools, and with patience, you will have the next school arriving shortly to give your minnow presentation a look. I like to fish with a live action jig and minnow, and deploy two slip bobber rigs for an added bonus fish.
I use one slip bobber about 2 feet off the bottom, and my other slip bobber is 6-8 feet off bottom.
The northern pike have the feed bag on and are offering consistent action. Search the edges of weeds in 8-15 feet of water. Find out the depth the fish are cruising the most and then duplicate your set up in the hot depth once it is found. A large sucker will do the trick, but do not be afraid to throw them a different offering with a shiner minnow. Setting your bait 2-3 feet off bottom will entice the pike to take your offering.
The walleye action is slowing down but some good sized fish are still being caught. Start to slide out into deeper water now and try to set two tip ups, and jig with your third line. Many times you will catch the aggressive feeders on a jigging rod and they will tend to shy away from a minnow on a tip up. Off shore structures are starting to hold fish. They will head to the tops to feed in prime time hours, but they are holding on deeper edges before and after prime time, drill some holes and jig for these fish.
Good luck fishing and remember, introduce someone new to the outdoors, they will appreciate it for a lifetime.
Jordan Marsh
Marsh Outdoors
Rice Lake Tourism
715.234.8888
800.523.6318
Fax - 715.434.8888