Upcoming Ice Season

[irishjigs]

Ok guys, I'm all set on getting up to Winni for some icefishing. What is everyone's thought on how the fishing will be this season? Any special hints or suggestions on how to maximize your catch specifically for Winni? Thanks in advance.

[Jason Boser]

well after a dismall fall of fishing I hope the winter will be good. the perchwere never really on the bite real good I think they will be good this winter. I dont think we will see the walleyes we did last year though that next year class is not as big as last years 11-13 inchers. thats my prediction

Jason

[irishjigs]

Thanks Jason. What is the usual bait/lure for the perch on Winni? I've used dropper rigs with some success in other area lakes.

[Jason Boser]

I have used them all from little tear drops to sweedish pimples if you find the fish they seem to bite on anything and a minnow.

Jason

[Bobberboy]

I know the tackle guys hate this but I visited Winnie 3 time last year and limited each time. A #8 gold hook and a fathead with a small bobber worked better then any to jig and minnow combination I tried.

P.S. Only kept fish over 9 inches.

"Your bobbers down!"

[BigFisherman]

With this weather we best have a can of "bug-be-gone" in our ice house (on floats). It is supposed to be in single digits by Thanksgiving eve so just maybe things will be getting a little more back to normal. Keep thinking "ice" and perhaps we'll see you there in a few more weeks.

[HARPOON-OR-BUST]

WHAT IS THE FORCAST/EVENING TEMPS SUPPOSE TO BE AROUND WHINNY IN THE NEXT WEEK? HAS THE LAKE EVEN FORMED A CRUST AT NIGHT ON SOME OF THE PREVIOUS COLD NIGHTS THAT WE HAVE HAD. JUST WONDERING IF THE WATER TEMP IS GETTING CLOSE. SOME OF THE SMALL LAKES AROUND ME WILL FORM A CRUST AT NIGHT AND LOOSE IT SOMETIME DURING THE DAY. I DON'T THINK THERE WILL BE ICE ON THE FLATS ON THE BIG LAKE FOR THE SPEARING OPENER.... HOW ABOUT MACAVITY BAY? JUST LOOKING TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM A LOCAL THAT GETS TO SEE THE LAKES CONDITION FROM DAY TO DAY.

[Jason Boser]

its been cold at night and some of the little lakes get a skim but for the big lakes not yet and today its windy so I think we have a while yet

Jason

[irishjigs]

It has looked like some colder weather hit the area earlier this week and last. What is the latest? Thanks in advance.

[dougger222]

Both times on the lake last winter fishing in the second week of April out of the north east side the best tactic was just dead sticking. It's not very often I turn off my Vexilar while fishing but this time it worked better then a moving bait. The best way to catch them was this.

1. Take a handful of minnows and step on them.

2. Put the dead minnow on the hook and walk away.

3. Do the same thing for your second hole and usually you'd have a fish on the first hole.

The fish really wanted dead minnows for the four day period we fished it last year. It didn't matter if you were in 20, 15, 10 or 8 feet of water they all wanted an easy meal.

I've fished on several key spots out there and the only other time fishing was as good as late last year was early season 3 years ago out on Center bar.