Ranger Rick
12-09-2009, 01:37 PM
Well the worst thing for early ice has happened. Last night we got 8 inches of snow on lakes that have very little ice. Some areas got as much as 10 inches. The ice on most lakes is only 2 to 5 inches thick. This heavy snow will do two things, it will insulate the ice to a point slowing down the ice making process, but worse, the weight of the snow will sag the ice making a terrible slushy condition. We are going to need extreme cold to correct the situation as now stands. They are predicting single digits to zero here after the storm passes through. The winter storm warnings are to end at midnight tonight.
If you do venture on the ice use extreme caution, DON'T FISH ALONE, use a spud to check the ice in front of you, have a rope handy, retactable ice picks are very important. Have them fastened to your wrists. Don't venture far from shore, even if you go through you can still stand up. Don't walk out together, two anglers are obviously heavier than one.
If you do find a lake that you can get on safely, the walleye bite has started in 3 to 6 feet. Use a medium shiner or medium sucker minnow on a tip-up. Jigging for them is also working, use a jigging Rapala, or a 16 oz. jigging spoon such as a Gapen Flicker.
The perch are also biting, use a waxie, mousee, or ratso on a small teardrop jig and 2 to 4 pound test line with a light jig pole. Some anglers are using small crappie minnows also.
We have big selection of new ice fishing products, many are custom locally made teardrops here in Eagle River.
Stay tuned here for the latest in fishing reports, or call our toll free fishing information line from where ever you are at, just dial 1-(866-FOR-FISH) which is 1-866-367-2248 on your keypad.
Good Luck Fishing,
"Ranger" Rick
If you do venture on the ice use extreme caution, DON'T FISH ALONE, use a spud to check the ice in front of you, have a rope handy, retactable ice picks are very important. Have them fastened to your wrists. Don't venture far from shore, even if you go through you can still stand up. Don't walk out together, two anglers are obviously heavier than one.
If you do find a lake that you can get on safely, the walleye bite has started in 3 to 6 feet. Use a medium shiner or medium sucker minnow on a tip-up. Jigging for them is also working, use a jigging Rapala, or a 16 oz. jigging spoon such as a Gapen Flicker.
The perch are also biting, use a waxie, mousee, or ratso on a small teardrop jig and 2 to 4 pound test line with a light jig pole. Some anglers are using small crappie minnows also.
We have big selection of new ice fishing products, many are custom locally made teardrops here in Eagle River.
Stay tuned here for the latest in fishing reports, or call our toll free fishing information line from where ever you are at, just dial 1-(866-FOR-FISH) which is 1-866-367-2248 on your keypad.
Good Luck Fishing,
"Ranger" Rick