Pine County, WI -Ice Fishing Report

[Outdoors Junkie]

Fishing Report - 1/4/08
Ice conditions have been fairly stable in the Northwoods with most lakes now having about 12 to 13 inches of ice - with about 10 inches of snow on top. This heavy snow cover has caused some thick slush conditions on the lakes and makes for some difficult travel.  Some anglers have begun to drive on the lakes - but caution is still urged as ice thickness is variable and the slush conditions make for treacherous travel.  Below zero temperatures of the last several nights have firmed up the slush in well-traveled parts of the lakes but undisturbed areas still will present problems with travel. 

The snowy, cold and windy weather of the last 2 weeks have made for some erratic fishing. Walleye have been the main species of interest and most anglers report sporadic action - some waters have had decent fishing and others have been very slow.  The good lakes have been yielding 2 or 3 walleye per trip and the slow lakes have been lucky to produce 1 fish per trip.  The best action has been on the cloudy and milder days, when temperatures reach into the 20's. Golden shiners and sucker minnows have been the preferred baits, and fished in 8 to 14 feet of water in the hour before dark. With many of the lakes in the area having stained water, after-dark fishing has been very slow.   Northern pike action has also been generally slow, with only a few anglers reporting any kind of action. The thick snow cover has cut down on light penetration and this seems to have cut down on pike activity. The best success on come on large shiners fished near any green weeds, though most fish have been on the small side. Panfish anglers have seen some fair action, with a few nice crappie and perch being caught.

ICE FISHING RUMBLE - January 5, 2008 - Roll-In-Point, Solberg Lake, Phillips                                          7 a.m.-5 p.m. Open at 6 a.m. with a breakfast special available.  715-339-4585