Some anglers are still ice fishing, but ice conditions are continuing to deteriorate. With just shy of two weeks until the fishing opener, the ice-out situation does appear a bit more encouraging. Use extreme caution if you go on the ice ‑ IF you can get on it, as shorelines are opening quickly with the wind, rain, and milder temperatures.

Crappie:

Crappie action is good and getting better as the temperatures continue to warm. Fish are beginning to move to shallower weeds, weedlines, weed beds, and stream mouths in 4-18 feet, with some fish still in deep basins. Crappie minnows, waxies, and plastics on jigs and spoons are producing, with fish favoring plastics at this point.

Bluegill:

Bluegill fishing is good to very good and improving as the weather warms. Fish are in and on weeds and weed edges, shallow bays, and near stream mouths in 3-12 feet. The most productive offerings include waxies and plastics, with small minnows and plastics working best for the bigger bluegills.

Perch:

Perch fishing is good and getting better, with fish on and around spawning sites and shallow weeds, mudflats, and stream mouths in 4-12 feet. Baits of choice include fatheads, crappie minnows, minnow heads, waxies, and plastics tipped on jigs and spoons.