By Louie Stout

It’s game on for ice fishermen!

Ice Conditions Improve; Anglers Are Doing WellIce Conditions Improve; Anglers Are Doing Well

Several lakes have become safer for ice anglers and they’re taking advantage of it.

“There’s a heckuva lot of people ice fishing nowadays, so it’s been good,” said Jim Housman at the Tackle Box in North Webster, Ind.

Although some lakes still have some open areas, anglers are venturing offshore when possible and finding ice thickness from three to 7 inches. However, that’s not to say it’s safe everywhere so anglers should move cautiously.

Panfish have dominated the catches with some good crappie sacks taken at night, said Housman. Also, some bass have been caught and pike fishing is picking up.

The same true for Michigan waters with lakes farther north providing better ice and plenty of angler action.

It’s been pretty good in southwest Michigan, too. Darrin Schaap of Clear H2o Tackle in Edwardsburg said it varies in thickness from one place to another but his area lakes are averaging about 4 inches with some lakes having as much as 7 or more.

“The fish are starting to group up in winter areas and even starting to reload in some of those areas,” he said. “Channel fishing is still producing but less of a factor as far as where you find fishable schools of fish. The main lake areas are becoming more viable.”

Housman agrees, noting that if you find the weeds that’s where you find the fish.

The usual maggot baits are working although there is a shortage of mousies this year. Schaap said more and more anglers are having success working tiny plastics fashioned on small jigs without livebait.

“Pike fishing also has been good for guys fishing tip-ups with big minnows,” he added. “You’ll find pike anywhere you find schools of bluegill.”

Bonnie Kelley at Kelley’s Bait in Lakeville, Ind. said fishing has been pretty good on Pleasant Lake next to her business and the lakes around Plymouth, Ind. and at Potato Creek State Park.

Mike Raber of the Tackle Shack in Middlebury, Ind. said anglers are starting to spread out on the lakes in his area and people were catching fish.

As good as it has become, all tackle shop owners say angler successes on popular waters has slowed somewhat, likely because of increased fishing pressure that makes the fish a little more difficult to catch.