Fishing report 1-12-23

Ice thickness is improving, but anyone going on the ice should continue to use extreme caution when traveling on any ice, especially unknown areas (as are most at this time). Crews staked a number of lake trails, but otherwise on-ice travel conditions are still iffy due to the multiple layers of ice, snow, and slush. Inconsistent ice thickness makes checking your path a safety necessity.

Walleye:

Walleye action is good to very good. During the day, fish deep weeds, humps, and other structure. In the evening, fish move to shallow to feed on flats with deeper areas nearby. Set up prior to the peak bite window for best success. Baits and presentations of choice include walleye suckers and shiners on tip-ups, dead-sticks, jigs, and jigging spoons.

Northern Pike:

Northern pike fishing is very good to excellent on weeds, weedlines, wood, rock, and cribs in 6-20 feet, and wherever you find panfish and baitfish concentrations. The most productive baits and presentation are northern suckers and large shiners under tip-ups, with baits within two feet of the bottom.

Crappie:

Crappie fishing is good to very good, with fish schooling in 12-22 feet on structure, weeds, basins, and nearby points. Best baits include crappie minnows, waxies, spikes, minnow heads, and plastics on small tungsten jigs in gold and Wonder Bread configurations.

Bluegill and Perch:

Bluegill and perch fishing is fair to very good, depending on the lake. Look for bluegills in and around shallow bays and weed beds. Perch are in deep basins, particularly on the deep, clear lakes. Bluegills are hitting waxies and plastics on small tungsten jigs and teardrops worked slowly. For perch, minnow heads on small jigging spoons work best.