12/20/2024
2nd fishing report, recap of early and late fall to beginning of winter ice December,2024. Earlier this fall Isaac and I hit the water and did some fishing. We were out on a sun filled cool day with north winds. Northern, walleyes, and smb were biting pretty good, but soft. I was a little surprised with catching quality fish just after a cold front, but the water temp had dropped 10 degrees in a short time from the end of summer temps. Pretty sure this had something to do with the bite. Week or so later clients and I hit the water for mixed bag action. Weather turned sunny, almost hot, and no wind for a fall day! Nice day on the water, but almost too hot to fish by afternoon! First part of the day we pitched plastic along the w**ds.not much biting, but John got us going with northern pike out of the w**ds! Good job and release! The bite was slow today, then we switched to bobbers and minnows. John and Connie caught and released nice perch and crappies just off a channel area. Later with some wind finally we had a run of medium pike, and John finished the day off with a beautiful daytime smb! Way to go! Good release! Congrats to John and Connie! We had an amazing time on the water! During the middle of the fall fishing the flowages for me kinda of lost it's "luster" with water levels dropping quite rapidly mainly because of severe drought situations! First week in December the boys and I hit the ice! We fished off shore in the 3 to 6' stuff. On this overcast day with light snow and rain the boys caught pike and had other bites that were minnow robbers! Shoreline ice was 6". Good job Christian and Isaac! The following weekend the boys and i moved out further. The ice almost doubled after the recent cold snap! Ice thickness pretty good with not much snow on top, because the snow is like insulation, keeps it from freezing and also protects the ice from the sun! We set up on the 8' edge using slippery jack minnows. Today we caught some walleye during the day along with some pike. We also were able to get our small fish house out? That's a good day! The next day cloudy, drizzle, and soft ice conditions! Bite was slow, don't know why, it just was. We caught some smaller walleye around dark, pretty slow, but fun at the same time! Anytime you hang out with family and friends it's a good time! Current ice conditions: we just got done with a thaw, then freeze, and now a blanket of fresh snow, couple inches of powder that will probably drift over the next day or so. We are off to a pretty good start for the lakes, but keep in mind that we had a freeze and thaw season, and that different bodies of water don't freeze the same! Check the ice wherever you go! The trails aren't marked yet on the lakes! If you are looking for a day on the ice give me a call at 715-966-1821. We'll that wraps it up for this time. This is Roman Derleth reminding you: Don't slack off, and always keep your line tight! Good luck fisherman!! BE SAFE!!!