Hi Folks,
Julio here with your ice fishing update.
Ice conditions have improved and the snowmobile trails are now open. Shacks are popping up and forming villages on the ice. Only a few trucks are making their way out on the ice as upon drilling I’m finding 13 inches of ice in some spots and then only about 8 near the channel. So it’s borderline for vehicles yet.
Some big walleyes are now being caught. A dandy 31 inch, 10-¾ pounder was caught on the Spirit Flowage and I also heard an 8 pounder was caught on Lake Nokomis. It’s trophy time for big walleyes!! Shiners or small walleye suckers on your favorite tip up and I’m fishing just off the channel in 5 to 6 ft of water. I’m keeping my bait just inches off the bottom. I use a fluorocarbon 15 inch leader with either a #8 or #10 treble hook. Key times have been low light conditions either early morning or late evening hours.
Lake Alice is again popping some nice size gills. The area around Horseshoe Landing and Anglers Lane are once again the hot spots. You can’t miss it! Just look for all the shacks. Find yourself a stump in 8 to 10 ft of water or a brush pile and you got panfish. Grubs on your favorite jig is what is working now. I haven’t heard of any crappies being caught yet. If we get temps around 30 degrees, look for a crappie bite. It seems when we get just a little warmer weather it turns on the crappies out there.
Pike are very active and will keep you running all day long. Weed edges or back bays are loaded with pike. Just size up your shiner and use a leader to stop bite offs. Fish 5 to 6 ft of water and I’ll set my minnow half way down. They are sure good to pickle this time of the year.
Remember folks, the new DNR rules on live bait are now in effect. It all boils down to if you either drive or walk on the lake with live minnows you can no longer leave the lake with these same live bait. All water must be drained from your bucket and all minnows either live or dead must be put in a plastic bag and thrown away when you get home. This new law is to prevent the spread of VHS.
From all of us at Chuck’s Sport Shop we wish you a joyous holiday season and may your new year be full of big fish with many trips to the Tomahawk area. Merry Christmas!
So until next report, keep your hooks sharp and a tight line and as always,
I’ll see you on the ice
Julio
Pro Staff Guide
Chuck's Sport Shop
Last updated: December 17, 2007
http://www.traveltomahawk.com/fishingreport/index.php
