Bugs in the hole

[fishtank]

I was up in Mora on Knife fishing this past weekend. While we were fishing we had a bug swim to the top of our hole. It looked like a stick, but definetly a bug. I've never seen this sort of thing before. But it definitely liked the frigid water. It was probably 3 inches long with 1 1/2 inch legs. Had 3 different ones happen all weekend. Anybody know what these things are?

[bassislife]

My only guess would be a walking stick, but I've only seen them in the summer, never winter. I don't know if walking sticks can live in water either, but other than a walking stick, I have no idea.

[R_B]

It was prolly a dragonfly larvae. Google "dragonfly larvae". It will return some pics.

[Tippman]

Dragonfly larvae don't look like sticks though. But sorry, I have no idea what it might be either.

[picksbigwagon]

did you put it on a hook and drop it back down the hole?

[croixeyes]

I have seen these come up into a hole before also.They do look exactly like a walking stick.Wonder if they would be good bait?

[jwhjr]

A couple of weekends ago I had a dime sized beetle-looking bug pop up in the hole. It swam around on top for 30 seconds or so and then dove back under water and swam away under the ice. I was hoping to see a nice sized northern take a run at it while it was still in view . I'd never seen it before.

[The Yeti]

Couple weekends ago, I saw the biggest water beetle I have ever seen come up into the hole. Had a good set of pinchers on the front too. About the size of a quarter or bigger..

[pathogen]

fishtank, I think the bug you saw was a water scorpion. Some of the varieties are very skinny, I used to get them in my minnow trap once in a while. Careful--they can give a nasty bite! Here is more info on them:

http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/caer/ce/eek/critter/watercritter/scorpion.htm

[fishtank]

Pathogen,

Thanks - this is exactly what I had seen. Just glad I used the minnow scoop to take it out of the water instead of my hand. From what I read, they are supposed to be found mainly in Illinois. [image]http://bugguide.net/images/raw/30VQT0GQC02QT04QC0KKC0BQHS9QZSIKLSGKTKKKUKLKB0SKDK1Q1KIKEKPQEKRKWK6QC0RKPK4Q[/image]

[fisherking01]

Thanks for the info, I have seen these many times in spear holes, (the skinny ones). Also have caught many beetles in minnow traps. Cool link, thanks again. Brent

[fishtank]

Let's try that again....

[image]http://bugguide.net/images/raw/30VQT0GQC02QT04QC0KKC0BQHS9QZSIKLSGKTKKKUKLKB0SKDK1Q1KIKEKPQEKRKWK6QC0RKPK4Q[/image]

[Jim43]

Always remember to put the .jpg at the eng of the url if its not there.