Fishing report January 27 2022

FISHING REPORT by Steve Suman

Fishing is good in general, with best success during prime-time bite windows. Lake access and on-ice travel is good, though some have 6-8 inches of snow and slush. Most anglers use ATVs, UTVs, and snowmobiles. A few are driving vehicles with ice thickness up to 15 inches, but a few breakthroughs have occurred this winter. Big, clear lakes (Round, LCO) are most likely to have thin spots. Average ice thickness is 10-12". Check with your favorite bait shop for the most current favored baits, presentations, and fish locations.

Walleye:

Walleye fishing is a bit slower, but anglers continue to catch fish. Move until you find the fish, focusing on 10-28 feet on bottoms with hard-to-soft transitions. Walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups and dead sticks, Jigging Raps, and jigging spoons all work well.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike fishing is good to very good. Depths can vary from shallow to deep but look for fish in and around weeds and weed edges, on or near deep basin edges, and concentrations of panfish and baitfish. Top producers include large northern suckers and shiners on tip-ups and dead-sticks, and dead baits for shallow water presentations.

Crappie:

Crappie fishing is good once you locate the fish ‑ just keep moving until you find them. Look for fish suspending in or near deep basins, on drop-offs, deep humps, and other structure. Be sure to check the entire water column, as fish can be anywhere in it. Crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, plastics, and Gulp! baits on small jigs and plain hooks will do the trick.

Bluegill:

Bluegill fishing is good on any green weeds you can find, weed edges, cribs, brush, and other cover and/or food sources in 8-18 feet. Keep on the move to stay with the fish. Waxies, spikes, and small plastics on small jigs work best.

Perch:

Perch fishing is fair to good on weed edges, especially green weeds if you can find them. Baits of choice include waxies, spikes, minnow heads, and plastics on small jigs.