LATE ICE FISHING

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There is no question that ice fishing anglers are very successful. Since your eyes are the best locator, you drive by lakes looking for people, group or colonies. Because you vertically fish, you can get a big concentrate of people in a small area. This normally is a good sign that fish are in that zone. Finding patterns and presentation that work is also a must as the season progresses and things change. April 11, 2006 was our last day of ice fishing. Even though we still had 8 inches of clear ice and 3 inches of slush, warm weather like 60 degrees was upon us. In fact 3 days later, the area we fished on Lac Vieux Desert Indian Village Rice Bay was open.

You knew spring was in the air as flocks of geese were honking heading North, a couple of mallard ducks quacked as they flew bye and two eagles soared overhead looking for easy pickings. We did find the pattern earlier in the week and that being 6 feet of water about 50 yards off shore as we just fished 2-3 feet down below the ice and a better oxygen level. Jigging poles using 2 lb test line on a rat fink or small ice jig and tipped with a wax worm, spike or pink, orange or red plastic all worked well. The 10-12 inch crappies came in that day and along with the 7-8 inch gills made for a nice size catch. Coach Kip Cramer was my guest that day as we sorted out some 80 fish each keeping 20 nice size fish. The fishing time was from 9 am to 12 noon as the spurts of activity would last 10-20 minute intervals. With late ice there is usually enough holes made from the previous days that makes walking easy with no auger. With over night lows of high 20's low 30's, skimming holes is all that is necessary. A bucket, a few jig poles, some live bait that fits in your pocket makes you mobile.

For northern pike and tip up fishing, I like Lac Vieux Desert, Thunder lake, Pioneer, and the Minocqua Chain.

For walleyes, you have North and South Twin, the Eagle River and Three lakes Chain and Lake Kentuck just to name a few.

Panfish, which really gets a lot of attention after the game season ends has every one's personal favorites. I like Palmer, Ballard, Lac Vieux Desert, South Twin, Big Arbor Vitae and are high on my list.

My motto is to accept what the lakes gives up, keep a few for a fresh meal and enjoy just being on duty.

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