Most winters in Minnesota contain lots of cold, some wind and snow. This season has been a little different in the fact that we have had more heat than cold and little to no snow. Many people are happy about this but it made for some very shaky early ice conditions and some out of the ordinary fishing situations.
Some lakes it created a great bite, some made it hard to get to spots that were holding fish. For me mostly I have found more fishing that are willing to eat. Until about few weeks ago. Up on Mille Lacs it has caused many bug hatches all over the lake that has made the fish spread out instead of grouping up on only a few hatches at a time. Other lakes though it has still continued to put fish in a good mood for catching.
There really has not been much of a winter dull drum since there and not really been any hard and long cold snaps that put the cold pressure squeeze on the fish and turn them negative. Instead this winter has kept very high sun penetration and kept lots of weeds green. As you can see from our last video it has caused something very special to happen in Akin County. Crappies are still biting and the Tulliees have been running a little early. It is not time just yet for the full blown mayfly hatch but there are some bug hatches going on and it has put the tullibees in a feeding frenzy a few weeks early and it makes for some really great fishing action. Great size and plentiful limits make for some really great times on the ice and some good eats fresh off the smoker.
Being found in their regular spots as of late there have not been too many that have shown up on the humminbird ice 55 that have not taken chase. If you can find yourself in the area I recommend a trip up to Akin Co. and try your hand at a little tulliee action because with the abnormal winter at hand some great opportunities have come to hand and if you have never caught one you are missing out on a great fight and a good meal to be had. The closer to march we get the closer to the hatch we will be and then there will be so many in the water column you will mark them on you flasher and the tulliees will be in full feeding mode and then you really have some fun. Even if you found yourself on the losing hand of this weird winter keep in mind that this mild winter should make for some early spring fishing and we all know how good that can be. There are still lots of great fishing to be had so get out there and enjoy the ice while it is still here. Since we are turning the page on this winter and making it to the home stretch to spring always exercise great caution on the ice. Stay safe and I will see you on the ice!