Wisconsin Ice Fishing

[JBMasterAngler]

Haven’t bought my Minnesota license yet, so I swung over to Cedar Lake in Wisconsin. Despite 50+ degree temps, it was pretty chilly sitting out there in the wind. Ice was starting to pull away from the shoreline on the north end. Caught 16 nice crappies, including two 12 inch slabs. They were very picky though, had to continually hop from hole to hole to get them to bite. Only had minnows. I think I would have been able to catch a few more if I had eurolarvaes. First time fishing this lake...look forward to coming here again next winter.

 

[MN BassFisher]

Nice! I got out locally in the East Metro on Sunday. By the afternoon the launch was in pretty rough shape. Might have to bust out the ladders to get out this weekend - at best.

[JBMasterAngler]

Went to Wild Goose Lake today, just south of Balsam Lake. Shoreline was still locked up, but ice was only about 15 inches thick, and top half was milky white. Drilled holes all over, and only marked an occasional fish. Their appearance on the vexilar gave me the impression they were stressed out and oxygen deprived. I was hoping this lake would have been rejuvenated after things started melting. Wasn’t the case!

 

Drove down to nearby Apple River Flowage to try and salvage the day. Ice conditions were pretty much the same. After drilling a bunch of holes here, I finally marked some fish. Caught 2 decent perch and a bluegill right away, but then they got lock jaw. I think a Muskie moved into the area, as the fish were still down there, but wouldn’t budge for anything! 
 

Most likely my last local outing of the season