Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Ice fishing pike

Hi Folks, guided several days over the Christmas holiday for northern pike and yellow perch.  There was 8" of black ice on the lake where we have been fishing.  Good amount of ice due to the lack of snow.  30 plus days of below freezing temperatures helped form some solid ice.  The recent warm spell is over and no worries on fishing the hard water.  Creepers are a good idea as the ice right now is like a skating rink.  We have been jigging yellow perch in 10' of water over milfoil beds.   Hali jigs in bright colors tipped with maggots have been very effective.  We have been setting tip-ups rigged with golden shiners for the northerns.  Finding pike from 5' to 12' of water and associated with weed beds and schools of yellow perch.  I have been using my new large portable shanty with a heater and fits 4 to 5 people pretty well.  My fixed shanty will be on the ice shortly and will be placed on a lake that holds trout.  Trout season opens in a couple of weeks.  Will be chasing pike and walleye later this week.  Have Fun, Willy