Fishing Report 12-20-14

[JerkyJosh]

Fished the Chip today and caught a few fish. I was using Tom's new ice fishing jigs and they produced for me. Ended up with some perch and walleye. Snapped a couple pictures of the walleyes and then quickly released them. Perch were too small to keep. Ice was 9 inches everywhere i drilled and looked like good solid ice.

Good luck fishing and happy holiday to you all!
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[walleyemaxx]

Thanks for the report Josh. I've been getting many calls about ice conditions. Glad to hear it is at least 9". I won't get out until after Christmas now with all the commitments I have involving the Christmas holidays. Looks like we should have good ice for the Christmas-New Year week. Anybody going out be sure to check everywhere you go to assure your safety. Good luck and be safe everyone.

Walleyemaxx

[DWW]

Tom, What's the reason for no walleye fishing after November? I know it's been that way for a long time. Larry and I were considering coming up to fish the Chip through the ice in January but decided against it cause we could only try for panfish/pike. Going to LOTW instead.

[walleyemaxx]

Hey Tony,

With the population of walleyes struggling on the Chippewa Flowage, the DNR closes the season after Dec.1. We are in the process of rehabilitating the population of walleyes with the extended growth walleye stocking, lowering of the water in winter, and looks like we will have a size limit in place if not this year, next year. All this in combination will hopefully bring the population up where we can have an ice fishing season on them.

In the mean time, the crappie fishing is fantastic and if you look at a few sites you will see impressive catches of northern pike, I mean big honkers! Lots of bass in certain places and even heard reports of walleyes being caught by crappie fishermen and released quickly. You like the Big Chip in summer, You'll love the ice fishing opportunities too. And just for Larry's birthday, if you two come up for a few days, I'll try to get out there with you guys and we'll see if we can't hook some crappies. Oh. by the way, Larry just had a birthday last year about this time. What's he doing having another one? Good to hear from you Tony.

Walleyemaxx

[DWW]

Funny how those B-day things work, mine arrives every year with more gray hairs and a few more aches and pains. Don't think we'll make it up there this ice season. Once mid may comes I'll be up once a month at least, I hope. One other question for ya. I have a friend who's uncle just bought a condo on Big St. Germaine. Possibly going ice fishing up there end of February. I know that's near your old stomping grounds. Any nearby lakes that have decent spots where you would be able to walk to your fishing area. We don't have sleds/atv's. Just going to be hoofing it by foot.

[walleyemaxx]

Hi Tony,

If you remember Lake Laura, it should be producing perch and walleyes. Walk out from the boat landing to where I found my shovel if you remember. It is a little bit of a walk, but not for you youngsters. There's a hump right there. Fish that towards evening for walleyes but go straight west to the deep drop off for perch during the day.

Razorback is a good lake for walleyes, northerns, and bluegills. Fish the deep sand grass flats. You can't miss it, there will be a ton of people there. Not to far to walk.

Where is his condo on Big Saint? The whole east side is one big weed flats. Just see where others are fishing to get a clue where the weeds are and then drill lots of holes to find your own spot in the weeds. Walleyes, BIG northerns, bluegills, and perch there. Lots of other lakes but you don't have time to get past these three in a weekend. Good luck fishing and let me know how you do.

Walleyemaxx