Fishing Report Dec 22, 2020
This may be payback for what Mother Nature threw at us last year, but whatever it is we will gladly take it! Thanks Ma!
Ice conditions through out the Northwoods have gradually improved. A recent snow from last night (12/21) will stall ice production at these current temps but provide some traction when out on the ice. Ice not too thick (6-9+”) but enough for good foot travel and light penetration… and active fish.
Walleye: Excellent It’s toss up between walleye and crappies for top billing, but due to flags and size from reports and typical difficulty – they get #1
Good catches continue to come in from anglers fishing shallow weed flats and bars from mid afternoon thru dark. Medium shiners, river shiners, walleye suckers and even large fatheads/rosies on tip-ups and tip-downs. Jigging raps, slab raps, rippin raps, micro pro v’s and Acme hyper R.I.P.’s also producing well as fish are continuing to actively feed during this extended early ice period. Good #’s of eaters and multiple reports of walleye in the 25 – 28” range being caught and released, Way To Go Anglers !!
Crappies: Excellent Most action taking place in 7-10’ narrow leaf cabbage by slow dropping plastics or waxies or setting up tip-downs with small minnows. Vary depth either technique as crappies have been found both high and low in weeds, moving up and down with varying light and barometric changes.
Northern Pike: Excellent. Good flag action using large suckers and shiners. Anglers reporting very good #’s and size with several “silver” (spotless) pike and lots of musky (must be released immediately) being caught.
Bluegill: Excellent – Very good. Bright jigs of orange, chartruese or yellow with waxies best. For targeting larger gills, work more subdued colors of red, brown or black tipped with moussee’s. If to many small gills, search deeper weed edges for larger fish.
Yellow Perch: Good Not getting the attention yet, probably due to being scattered about weed flats and less concentrated over mud as we will see later in season.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Not as targeted, but some really nice bass with one family catching and releasing 4 bucketmouths of 19 – 21 1/2” over the weekend. While they caught some jigging, most on tip-ups with medium shiners.
Following this Wednesdays forecast for rain with a high of 38 degrees we won’t see above freezing temps for the next week, with lows of single digits to below zero for the next week plus. Ice will thicken and creepers will more than likely be needed once again. While questions of ice travel by use of snowmobile or ATV are frequently asked, we can’t say its totally safe! Some lager lakes have areas of only 3” and how ice thickens across and entire lake is a hard thing to judge. If forecast holds, we should see improved conditions through out the Christmas / New Year week!