Home Forums Fishing Freshwater 2022/2023 Hardwater started

We finally have safe ice on some lakes here in southern Wisconsin. My Dad with the biggest bluegill from today.

That's a really nice 'gill !!

Don't get them up here, yellow perch & black crappie, are our pan fish.

Nice Indeed!

they do in Iowa year aroung

Actually, they do up here to.

You just have to know where & how, as it's not like walleye fishing.

I got around and went ice fishing today. It was a gorgeous day and the fish were very willing to play.

New 2 99s: My partner and I hit the Clark Canyon Reservoir Friday before last and I caught just one fish but it was a firm fleshed dandy rainbow Trout of 20" and weighed just over 3 pounds. ice was 21" thick and it was 10 degrees below zero (high for that day). Partner caught a small Brown Trout which he put back then ended the day with a Rainbow twin of mine.
Thanks for sharing those great pictures by the way - making me hungry.

19352012: I am an amateur ice fisherman and have only been at it for 25 years now (go 3 - 4 times a year).
And the amazing electronics, fish finders and underwater cameras in use nowadays does get my attention. My fishing partner just bought another battery operated ice auger and it set him back $725.00 (no sales tax in Montana) we bungee it to a Honda 4x4 with all four wheels chained to get out to the ice shack - that is complete with a mini-bar, a mini-library, two propane powered heaters - one large and one small and a food and hot water heating mini-stove - and we sit on swiveling cushioned adjustable office chairs!
No bucket sitting for me anymore.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

I stopped in the bait shop to pick up more Northland impulse mayflys which is a little plastic critter I was using for bait. Turns out they were discontinued a couple 3 years ago. The fish love them but I guess the fishermen didn't. I will have to find something else. Powerbait is made right in Spirit Lake and they should have something that works.

Spent a couple of relaxing days, on the ice, over the break, with Doug & my buddy, Joe !

Colour me vert with envy Paul.

Had a big old warmup blow in the middle of last week and melt all our ice. I was fishing on 7" of ice 7 days ago.... all open water today. It's 62° right now.

Those are some nice walleyes. Bet they tasted great.

Mmmmm;



They sure did !

I’ve been surprised by the results we get using gulp alive. Waxies, and minnows.

I still haven't been icefishing this winter. I should have gone over Christmas, but didn't get a chance to. Now our ice is pretty questionable. I'm hoping that the cooler temps that have arrived will firm it back up for the weekend.

You could by a mold and make them yourself or start tying them up.

Wishing you good weather & luck, Scott !

Thank you. Looks like I should be able to get on the ice this weekend. 🙂

I miss going up to the Angle. Haven't been for a few years.Made it fifteen or so years in a row. The drive got to be too much in January