Ice Fishing still Happening

Our Ice Fishing season is winding down here in the northwoods, and it’s leaving with a bang! We still have about 15 inches of ice out there on most lakes, although it’s starting to get a little slushy and we’re beginning to see some shoreline cracking taking place on certain lakes. Anglers are finding some fantastic bluegill fishing and the crappies have really kicked in – BIG TIME ! For the gills, ice jigs-tipped with waxies or spikes and fished around weeds in 8 to 12 feet of water have been some of the better places to begin looking. The crappies are being found in virtually the same types of areas, although you may find them suspended within a foot of the ice. You have to search a little bit on depth to find out where they’re hanging.

Some of the better waters I’ve been getting reports from are Fishtrap, Madeline, Fawn on the Manitowish Chain, Thunder Lake over near Eagle River, the Willow Flowage and Minocqua Lake.

As always, use caution when heading out during late ice periods. Ice conditions should start to deteriorate if this nice weather holds and the rains begin.


Good luck fishing. Jeff