By George Langley
NORTHERN WISCONSIN – We’re going to get a break from the cold blast that gave us good ice conditions. We’ve got some mid-30s coming again, and it looks like whatever tiny bit of snow is in the forecast will be overshadowed by some rain, too.
We’re seeing anywhere between nine to 11 inches of ice on most lakes, although we are still getting reports of very thin ice in surprising places.
Some food fishing reports are coming in. Walleye have been decent for the last several weeks, although we seem to be seeing the beginning of that typical January slow-down. The Chain has produced good fishing in the evenings in the ten to 15 feet range right off the weeds. Shiners and sucker minnows seem to be working equally well. The bigger, deeper lakes have had much better action after dark than we’ve seen on the smaller lakes. Suckers or shiners have been even in production, with the tip-ups set near structure and intercepting the fish as they move up after dark to feed.
Northern action has been pretty good in the afternoons on most lakes. They are feeding, as usual, in the weeds. Look for the deepest weeds you can find. Large shiners are by far the best for these fish, with the tip-ups being set right on top of the weeds. All lake sizes are producing fish at this point.
Panfish action has been very good, with good crappie action in the holes. Anglers are jigging in the holes with smaller vertical jigs tipped with waxies. We have also had some reports of decent tip down action, with the people using crappie minnows or rosie reds. Bluegills are now hitting in the weeds well on spikes. We’ve had good reports from many of those mid-sized lakes with some nice weed beds.
Perch action has been good, also in the weeds on many lakes. We’ve heard of people getting them both off the bottom and in about 15 feet on weed edges, so you may need to look around a little for these guys.
Stay safe out there! It’s beautiful out on the lakes and in the woods these days – still more quiet than usual with the lack of vehicles out there.
Good luck and good fishin’!