Open Water

[Randy Peyer]

Wow ice out sure came early this year, a full 3 to 4 weeks ahead of schedule. Most lakes began to break up on Monday the 19th and were completly open by the next day. With the weather being so warm last week i decided to put the boat in the water and see what was happening out there. Thursday I tried the chain looking for perch but had little success. The water temp on the main lake was 47 and in the creek inlets 52. I caught 3 crappie, 2 perch, and a 16" smallmouth. Friday with the air temps in the 70's again I tried a shallow lake with much better results. I started in a big flat where people had been ice fishing a week earlier and the gills were all moved already. After checking several proven winter spots I headed into a shallow north bay and found the water to be quite a bit warmer there. I found water as warm as 55.8 degrees and the fish were stacked along a sandy shore. Most casts had a taker within 5 seconds of hitting the water. A couple of Northerns, a Largemouth Bass, but mostly Punkinseed. The weather turned more seasonal on Saturday so I haven"t been out since then, but it looks pretty promising for the upcoming week so I should have some more time on the water soon. Thanks Randy


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