Fishing report December 6 2021

Report prepared by Steve Suman:
Ice fishing season is mostly just beginning and as such, angler fishing reports are somewhat thin (pun intended!) Cold temperatures should greatly improve ice conditions this week, though snow cover will hinder the process a bit. Most reports indicate ice thickness at 3 to 5 inches but certainly not consistent, so please be cautious! It is always important to use common sense and be safe, but especially so during early and late ice. If you go, use a spud bar to check ice as you go, and your equipment should include rope, ice picks, PFDs, etc. Good luck and have fun but be safe!

Walleye:
Walleye fishing is fair to good, with the best success from late afternoon into dark. Walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups fished in depths to 10 feet on shallow flats, bays, and along shorelines will produce some action. Jigging spoons and Jigging Raps are also enticing some fish. Do not lose sight of the fact this is early ice.

Northern Pike:
Northern pike fishing is good to very good during the day. Fish are on shallow flats and weedlines looking for panfish concentrations (i.e., food). Large northern and walleye sucker minnows, fished under tip-ups set over and along weeds and weed edges will draw the interest of pike. Jigging baits are also producing some action.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass:
Anglers are catching some bass through the ice, though not many are targeting them at this time. Most catches are incidental, with fish hitting sucker minnows and shiners under tip-ups set over shallow weed cover.

Crappie:
Crappie fishing is good around shallow weeds and weedlines. Crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs, plain hooks, and jigging spoons are all making catches. Keep moving (safely!) until you find the fish or until the moving fish find you!

Bluegill:
Bluegill fishing is good on shallow to mid-depth green weeds, but not all areas are currently accessible. Waxies, spikes, and plastics on small jigs, teardrops, and plain hooks, and small jigging spoons, are all working.