Sugar Lake ice

[Dave S]

Went out to Sugar this afternoon. First time on the lake so I wasn't expecting much. Good thing. Had one school move through that covered the water column from 4 feet down to 15 feet (20 feet of water). It took a good couple of minutes for them to clear but nothing was interested in biting. 

The ice was about 8" with the top 1-2" being the refreeze from the rain. Several ATVs and a SXS or two made their way across the lake easily with no snow pack.

This one might be a fun one to try once spring rolls around and I can get the 'yak out.

[JBMasterAngler]

Could’ve been a school of baby tullibee? In which case, the predators in the lake will have lots to eat. 

[teal50]

Another possibility is large schools of large shiners moving through. Have had this a couple of times on other lakes.

[IceHawk]

11 hours ago, teal50 said:

Another possibility is large schools of large shiners moving through. Have had this a couple of times on other lakes.

We see this a lot fishing the Horseshoe chain schools of shiners. Can be kind of frustrateing but once you figure out what to look for on your electronics its a little more foregiving. Plus side is where there's baitfish especially shiners there tends to be predators following especially old marble eyes 

[Rick G]

Sugar... more than likely schools of tiny perch. Used to see it quite a bit when I fished out there. That lake can be a tough one during hard water season due to the water being so clear. Always had my best luck for walleyes at low light or after dark. 

[Borch]

Late ice the slab crappies and gills move up into the reeds.  Some real tanks in the lake.   Just be aware the crappie limit is 5.

[eyeguy 54]

9 hours ago, Borch said:

Late ice the slab crappies and gills move up into the reeds.  Some real tanks in the lake.   Just be aware the crappie limit is 5.

I found that out last year when I took 8.  On my birthday all by myself. Kept 8 crappie and 8 gills for a couple nice meals.  $190 mistake!  Bad brain f art. 

[leech~~]

6 minutes ago, eyeguy 54 said:

I found that out last year when I took 8.  On my birthday all by myself. Kept 8 crappie and 8 gills for a couple nice meals.  $190 mistake!  Bad brain f art. 

[Tom Sawyer]

7 hours ago, eyeguy 54 said:

I found that out last year when I took 8.  On my birthday all by myself. Kept 8 crappie and 8 gills for a couple nice meals.  $190 mistake!  Bad brain f art. 

 

OUCH