The wind slowed down the ice development yesterday, but luckily the wind died down overnight.  In the areas that were open it looked like we made about 1″ of ice.  I walked around a bit in front of the shop but you have to be very careful you don’t walk over those thin areas.  I have not seen anyone out fishing yet.  Luckily we have good ice making weather in the forecast.

Thanks,

Chad

The storm did a number on the ice.  We still have an ice sheet in front of the shop and to the east.  To the west towards the big lake it opened up.  The entire sheet shifted east and took out the NASA fishing dock by the landing.  It is going to take a few days for the ice to get solid enough to fish on.  If you are wondering for Saturday I would say 50/50 chance.  I will post an update tomorrow.

Thanks,

Chad

We are holding steady at around 2.5 inches.  The snow is going to be a big factor in how the ice fares.  Once we get through that we will have to see what the warm temps next week do.  After that temps are looking better.  Take your time if you go out!

Thanks,

Chad

This morning the ice is up to 2″ in front of the shop.  I would expect to start seeing guys out in the very early ice spots today.

Thanks,

Chad

We are currently at 1.5 inches of ice in front of the bait shop.  The ice might have enough time to get thick enough to fish by Friday but we will just have to wait and see.  I will update daily as the conditions change.

Chad

Things are starting to heat up here as we get into the late ice season!  Starting with ice conditions- I haven’t heard how fisherman’s road and the sailboat club are, but Mosey’s landing is still handling trucks.  Yesterday it did take a hit and the one side is broken up a bit, however there is still plenty of area that is solid.  I would say that we are still averaging 16 inches of ice, but of course with this time of year there will be more variability.  The hot streak for northern continue mostly out by the lights.  Size continues to run big and guys are still getting plenty of flags.  The perch are starting to cooperate better with them starting to move into their traditional late ice areas.  They are starting to pick them up in front of the shop.  I think we are still a week or two away from peak perch fishing.  The bluegill bite remains fair, and the crappie bite is still mostly early and late.

I would expect 90% of truck and car traffic to be done after this weekend, however if atvs are still able to access the ice sheet we may see guys taking them out for a week or more depending on if we get any rain.

Stop in for the latest!

I am disappointed in the lack of donations from last weeks report.  If everyone wants to keep this fishery going we need to be proactive not reactive.  I have and will continue to put my time and money into improving this lake but I cannot do it alone.  A little bit from a lot of people can make a huge difference.

Thanks,

Chad

I think I can officially say that we are through the midwinter lull.  The fact that the cold snap coincided with the lull did not help things.  The warm weather is definitely making a difference for fish activity.  The tip ups are absolutely on fire with both bass and northern being caught.  The perch are starting to ramp up and that bite should continue improving.  The big wild card this season has been the bluegills.  Marge’s Island has been the most consistent area for them but I have heard there are nice gills by the landing lights as well.  Although the crappie bite has been poor so far this season there are signs that we are going to have a good late ice bite.  Stop in for the latest report.

There has been a recent effort to raise some money to kick start some larger projects on the lake.  This year especially, but every year this lake absorbs a tremendous amount of fishing pressure and is still able to produce trophy fish!  In order to keep doing this, and also to make it even better habitat projects will need to be done.  For us to get a project studies need to be conducted on the lake showing what is wrong and the best way to fix it.  That is where we come in.  If we can all pitch in a few dollars we can make it happen!  Please go to gf.me/u/zb6wdz and give what you can!  Just think of the possibilities for fishing if we can get some more deep water habitat, islands with sheltered bays, and other features added to the lake!  We have a ton of water that is not currently good habitat and if that changes we will have so much better fishing!

Please go to gf.me/u/zb6wdz and donate today!

Thanks,

Chad

We have added enough ice for some people to brave driving out their vehicles.  I would be very cautious as the ice thickness can vary.  The fishing overall has slowed down in the last week or so.  The fish are still here they are just tight lipped.  That being said there is a bite window most days where you can pick up some nice fish.  The northern fishing remains good people are catching both size and numbers.  The best area is the lights as usual.  I have had two customers pick up northern in the H after dark in our sleeper shanties.  They measured 35″ and 38″.  Before that I did not think that they would bite at night.  We do have the temps changing both up and down in the extended forecast as well as some snow.  If you can try and key in on the weather changes to get into a good bite.  Stop in for the latest!

Thanks,

Chad

The ice keeps growing and fish reports are starting to come in.  The channel in front of the shop to the east to halfway creek is averaging around 4 inches.  There are still areas that are thinner so if you venture out take a spud.  As far as fishing goes the perch bite has been good, I have seen multiple over 13″ brought into the shop.  The crappies are being a bit elusive I think the bite will improve when the ice gets a bit thicker.  The bluegill bite has been strong with a lot of nice eaters being caught.  I haven’t seen very many real big ones yet but they will show up soon enough.  Haven’t had many guys go for northern yet but they are getting caught jigging so I suspect it will be a good year for them.  Stop in for the latest reports on ice and fish!

Thanks,
Chad