ICE FISHING IN 2010

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Last ice fishing season saw a nice safe ice condition develop the first week in December of 2008. Nice walleye, northern pike and pan fish action continued during the entire month. We received a good amount of snow (or "White Gold" as the businesses refer to it) to start the snowmobile season on December 15th. Safety and mobility on the ice is the key to success. We had that in 2008 and into 2009. The month of January, with 20 days below zero weather, made the trails hard and firm as the ice thickened and allowed vehicle motor travel. With ATV's, snowmobiles, trucks and the reliable foot travel, fishermen were able to move around and stay on fish. With location as the key, keeping up with the movement of fish is a must. Shanty villages appear on the lakes with most access coming from public landings. Vertical fishing puts a lot of fishermen close together and in the midst of schools of fish. Crappie action in the Minocqua area was at its best as lakes like Big Arbor Vitae, Minocqua and Carrol gave up some nice meals. Not to be out done, the Three Lakes and Eagle River Chain had some good action at times too. Area lakes near Eagle River also gave up fish. Deep water of 12-20 feet is an area where the crappies suspend. Slip bobbers placed 3 feet off the bottom using crappie minnows on a gold hook or small jig is a good presentation. Another method is to use tip downs a nice position type of rod, reel presentation catches a lot of crappies. . This crappie action extended into the open water season in 2009. As the winter season goes into February and continued cold weather, tip-up fishing for walleyes and northern seems to get a lot more action. Sitting in trucks or heated shacks is enjoyable as one is on duty watching for the flag to spring up. Golden shiners or large suckers placed a foot above the weeds on a treble hook attached to the braided line and enough weight to keep the bait down is a nice presentation. Most action comes in shallow bays and up to 10 feet of water as an average. Lakes that are popular are Lac Vieux Desert, North and South Twin, Pioneer and Thunder. Game fish action ends the first Sunday in March. Then the blue gill, perch and crappie action takes over, as that season never ends. Every ice fishing season is different and what to expect and hope for is always a thought. Open water fishing extended to the end of November of 2009 as the musky fishermen enjoyed the warmest season in years and many fish over 45 to 50 inches were CPR. Safety is a must, especially when ice fishing, so life jackets, ropes and creepers for slick smooth ice along with a cell phone and a buddy to fish with is good common sense. When you read this article it will be 2010 but all the information is helpful and can be adapted to the situation. I like to reflect back on the past year and see what happened and think of the words what, when, where and how many fish were caught. Doing this answers a lot of questions and is a good start for the coming season. Good luck and have fun fishing.

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