“Search and Destroy…the quest for pig perch” – by Leisure Outdoor Adventures

Perch are one of the tastiest freshwater fish and are a favorite amongst ice anglers everywhere.Catching them through the ice is becoming more difficult but your odds will improve with a solid game plan. You can’t catch em if you don’t know where they live; the search will turn to destroy more often if the “when and where” is understood. A quick study of a detailed contour map or handheld GPS, and consideration of these areas; shallow bays, mudflats and deep basins, will put you on top of the “feed trough”. Hammering into a school of perch is exhilarating, especially when you get into the “Pigs”; those of the 10-14 inch size. At first ice, shallow bays are a magnet to pig perch and here, the dinner bell rings. These bays often hold the healthiest weeds which in turn hold the most oxygen. Perch will continue to use this area as long as the last hardy stock of bait fish remain. Perch are known to roam in big schools looking for food. If perch are nowhere to be found, it’s worth taking a look in this area, as they are known to move in and out of bays all winter in ...

Panfish Patterns – by Chad Peterson

The key to great winter fishing is finding the fish pattern for the particular lake that your fishing. It also makes fishing more fun and challenging. On an early ice lake the fish tend to be in shallow waters where the weeds are. This particular trend doesn't last long, however and the fish will soon move on too deeper water as we get into the early part of January to late February. Mid winter fishing is going to be a lot of hit and miss until you find the pattern to the fish on your lake. This will take a lot of all day fishing and many hole drilling. But, well worth it once you find the pattern. For example, I am now finding fish in the 15-20 FOW range, with a bite either early morning or late afternoon. Most lakes where there are crappies, I can pretty much set my watch by the pattern. Moving from the deep water to the edges and breaks from the deep basins. Using a couple of my favorite tools, the Hummingbird 55 and my Aqua-Vu Micro makes it easier to find them. Would recommend both of these to any fisherman who wants ...

Hardbeads for Perch

Not long ago, I wrote an article for a major ice fishing publication about a yellow perch fishing technique that’s incredibly popular in my area, but somehow continues to stay under the radar. The article was merely a brief mention, but since that time I’ve received a number of inquiries regarding the specifics of the presentation. The technique I’m referring to is fishing with bait-less wobbling spoons, known locally as “fishing hardbeads”. It began in the Saginaw Bay area, has taken Lake St. Clair by storm, and seems to work wherever perch are relatively shallow. The technique is designed to excite the fish into a feeding frenzy, and then take advantage of their gluttonous attitude. When done properly, this method of fishing may be the quickest ever single-hook method for catching perch. However, getting good at this type of fishing takes a bit of experience, and a little know-how. Yellow perch are cool-water fish, and voracious feeders throughout the calendar year. Even in the bitter cold water of winter, perch feed aggressively, often in very shallow water. And, although this technique can work deep, it’s at it best in these ultra-shallow haunts of feeding schools. The technique begins with the proper lures ...

The Windy Midwest

When I was a kid I could always remember cool wet springs, hot calm summers, warm falls that slowly turn into cold, cold winters with a lot of snow. Never was there a green Christmas to talk about or how nice the 40 degree winter day was. Now it seems like abnormal temps and high winds are the norm. This winter of course a green Christmas it was not a lot of snow to even make me nervous on a drive. Ice is in high demand because there is not much to find on local lakes. A trip up north is in order to find any bit of ice to drive on with a truck. That’s what led us to the Big Pond for a weekend with Perch and Walleyes on our minds. What we didn’t expect to find was a great wind blowing across the lake. That’s what we found. We made the journey up on Friday night and were eager to hear what the reports were. Last time we were up we found lots of fish more than willing to bite. This time was a little different. ...

New Year’s in Northern Minnesota – by Chris Barlage

With surviving Christmas and all the mess cleaned up the New Year approaches. Sitting in my chair and knowing the weekend is approaching I turn to my wife and ask what the plans are for the weekend were. I nearly fell out of the chair when I heard the answer. “I though you would be gone fishing”. “Yes I will be” I answered with a great big smile on my face. That very second I was on the phone calling the boys telling them I had a free pass for the weekend and it would be a 3 day since we were off on Monday from work. Everyone was in and so it was at 5:00pm on Friday we were all northern bound. Arriving a little late it was time to brain storm. What would the game plan for the morning be? We wanted to hit big water, but soon we would see our spot would not be fishable. It was time to rethink. With Walleyes and Perch on our brain we would find a spot. To bed we went only to wake and realize that we had over ...

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Renewed Energy & Interest in the Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota
BRAINERD MN… The Fishing Hall of Fame of Minnesota honors and recognizes anglers, industry representatives and others who have worked to preserve, protect and enhance Minnesota’s rich sport fishing heritage. Inductees are dedicated to passing on the skills and joys of fishing to future generatio
More than 9.000 Bear Permits Available
MADISON WI – A little more than 9,000 bear harvest permits will be available for the 2012 black bear season, about the same number of permits as last year. The Natural Resources Board approved offering 9,015 harvest permits at their Jan. 25 meeting; a number nearly identical to the 2011 permit of
Spring Light Goose Season
BISMARCK ND - Light goose hunters planning to hunt during North Dakota’s spring season can purchase a license online at the state Game and Fish Department’s website. The season opens Feb. 18 and continues through May 6. Residents can hunt during the spring season by having last fall’s 2011-12
Iowa Fishing Reports
DES MOINES IA - ICE CONDITIONS CONTINUE TO DETERIORATE “There is always a level of risk associated with ice fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Even during our coldest winters, ice conditions vary and are never totally safe.” The
DNR Program Pays Landowners of 40 Acres or More
MANKATO MN - Landowners in 21 southwestern Minnesota counties can earn money by allowing public hunting on their private land through the Walk-In Access (WIA) program, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). WIA, which is entering its second year as a pilot program, target

In Depth Ice Fishing

Central Open
Anyone check out the first day weights. Wow...tough bite. These are the fun ones to watch...love when there is a tough bite. Top 10 weights 1 Brad Lankford 5 18- 1 2 Josh Bertrand 5 18- 0 3 Tommy Jonovich 2 11-12 4 Brent Chapman 3 10-13 5 Billy McCaghren 3 10- 5 6 Carl J
New to rod building
I am more after the action of the blank than I am about the name on the blank, especially if it is for me. Never paid more than $8 for an ice blank myself.
Northern pike leader/tippet
I use big game 30# furled leaders... Then tie on power pro... The furled leaders turn over them big flies with ease
Leadcore trolling reel - Daiwa Sealine or Accudepth Plus
The only difference between the two, besides the color, is that the Sealine (SG) reels use ball bearings, and the AD+ reels use bushings. The AD+ reels are probably the best deel going on linecounter reels. They're bulletproof, as are the Sealines. I know quite a few guys that use the AD+ reels for
Smallmouth rod
Very nice. I appreciate the guide wraps complimenting the walnut. Scott

In Depth Hunting

Big road kill.
I picked up a nice 8 from a trooper buddy this last fall. I brought it to my cabin that day, gutted it, and was going to hang it up to process the thing. The next day it stunk so bad i had to dispose of it. I brought it down a lane on our property and put a trail cam on it. Nothing has been ther
Big bucks worth more than does & fawns!
[quote=lichen fox] [u](4) any other violation involving taking a deer that is a trophy deer scoring higher than 170 using the scoring method established for wildlife restitution values adopted under section 97A.345. (b) A person may not obtain any deer license or take deer under a lifetime
Thoughts On 220's
And think of all the tax dollars we will have to pay to farmers,ranchers and pet owners because of wolves and coyotes killing all these animals. I for one think that we are in enough debt and dont need any more. Why should we have to pay for our government to hire a trapper to come in and clear out
Ethics check
The best thing to do is to contact the CO I listed below and ask him the question. This way you are not going by second hand knowledge. K357 Prior Lake Adam Block 952-873-6241 Scott If he does not answer leave a message and he will get back to you. Good luck to you and your son! :)
9mm?
[quote]um, she pulls the trigger again? and again and again and again until the perp is no longer a threat. [/quote] If she misses the first time, there's a very good chance she won't get a second chance.

Get out Ice Fishing Today!

“Search and Destroy…the quest for pig perch” – by Leisure Outdoor Adventures

Panfish Patterns – by Chad Peterson

Hardbeads for Perch

The Windy Midwest

New Year’s in Northern Minnesota – by Chris Barlage

Ice Fishing – At The Leading Edge!

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