Gamefish season closed Sunday, March 6, and your 2021-2022 fishing license expires March 31. Fishing licenses for 2022-2023 are now available online and through license vendors. Panfish seasons remain open! Chippewa Flowage anglers should note that April 1 the panfish bag limit there drops to 10 fish total, all species combined.

The lakes hold good ice, but with considerable snow and slush cover, making travel difficult. The Friday and Saturday night ice storms probably did not improve the situation. Check with your favorite bait and tackle shop for the most current information regarding ice conditions and access, fish locations, and favored baits and presentations.

Crappie:

Crappie action is good as the fish start their slow move to pre-spawn staging areas. They move and you will need to do so, too. Look for fish in deep basins, near weed beds and structure in 10-30 feet. This time of year, it is important to check the entire water column! Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on jigs and small spoons work well.

Bluegill:

Bluegill fishing is good as the schooling fish move toward shallow, weedy flats and other structure in 5-18 feet, though some are hanging with crappies in deep basins. Check the entire water column. Tungsten jigs with waxies and plastics resembling the foods coming up off the bottom work quite well.

Perch:

Perch fishing is good with the schooling fish moving toward pre-spawn staging areas. You can find them on weedy flats, mud flats, transition areas, and structure in 5-18 feet. Go prepared to move with the fish. The most productive baits include jigs and bright spoons tipped with crappie minnows, fatheads, rosy reds, waxies, and plastics, as well as minnow heads and pieces of minnow bodies. They become more aggressive if you make them chase the bait.