Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine
- Details
By Louie Stout
If you’re not getting panfish to bite your traditional ice fishing baits, think outside the box.
That’s what Chuck Powell has done and feels he’s stumbled onto a lure additive that gets him a few more bites.
Well, he didn’t exactly stumble onto it. He read once about ice anglers who were doing well by adding a piece of beaver tail to their jigs instead of more traditional larvae bait.
It was a perfect fit since Powell is an avid trapper with several beavers stored in his freezer being prepared for market.
- Details
MDNR Report
During the winter Free Fishing Weekend, Feb. 14-15, families and friends can enjoy one of Michigan's premier outdoor activities for free! All fishing license fees will be waived for two days, when residents and out-of-state visitors can fish on both inland and Great Lakes waters for all species of fish. Plus, a Recreation Passport will not be required for entry into state parks and boating access sites.
All fishing regulations will still apply.
- Details
By Louie Stout
Man, what a difference brutally cold weather has made in ice fishing activity throughout the Michiana area.
Bait shops report that ice conditions have improved vastly, although some lakes are still iffy in areas. More anglers are getting out when the weather permits.
Safety is urged. While one lake may have a lot while another not so much.
That’s not uncommon on these spring-fed lakes.
“One guy came in and said he saw 8 inches of ice on a lake north of here while another said he found 4 inches in another lake but his spud went through in other areas of it,” said Trevor Nunemaker at Tackle Shack in Middlebury, Ind.
Brian Hensley of Clear H2o in Edwardsburg, Mich. echoed those same cautions.
“Guys are getting out and we’re getting good reports of bluegill and crappie catches in 20 to 24 feet,” he says. “Even so, we’re also hearing that some lakes still aren’t safe. It really varies right now.”
Hensley said soft plastics and all livebait have been selling well along with pike minnows for tip-ups.
Nunemaker said he’s hearing the bite is pretty slow, “but you know how that goes.”
Tungsten ice jigs fished deeper, in that 20-foot range, seem to be the best.
“Of course, Bricker Bugs is the standard for a lot of guys,” he said. “We sell a ton of them.”
Kevin Thomason at D&R Sports Center in Kalamazoo said he’s hearing about quite a bit of ice but it’s still iffy in some spots.
“I’m hearing of limits of bluegill and crappies being caught as well as some perch,” he adds. “I’ve heard of 4 inches of ice or better, but then, I’m also hearing some places are still not safe. A lot of these lakes have springs and feeder streams.”
He said fish are coming from as little as 4 feet of water to 15 feet or more. Best baits have been crappie minnows, scented plastics, and of course spikes and wax worms. Tip-up anglers are buying golden shiners and suckers.
Sandy Childers of Chief’s Bait Shop in Michigan City, Ind. said fishing has really picked up on LaPorte lakes Pine and Lily.
“Guys are reporting 4 to 6 inches and their buying wax worms and small minnows,” she said.
- Details
By Louie Stout
A random check of area bait shops shows that ice fishing remains pretty much on hold throughout the region.
Of course, that could change by next week given the brutal cold temperature forecast over the next few days.
Although it’s been cold, a lot of the lakes remained open due to the wind. Once they did freeze up, snow piled on top which insulates the ice and inhibits thickness growth.
We contacted Clear H2o in Edwardsburg, Tackle Shack in Middlebury, D&R Sports in Kalamazoo and Chief’s Bait Shop in Michigan City.
All of our sources said lake ice remains unsafe, but some anglers are getting out on channels, but most are not accessible via public access sites. They have permission to park on private property.
“This is the first day I’ve heard reports of guys getting on newly formed channel ice, but even that is 3 inches or less,” said Brian Hensley of Clear H2o Tackle. “I’ve heard that lakes farther east of here had 6 inches, but I can’t confirm it.”
If you’re crazy enough to try fishing this weekend, be extremely cautious. It may look safe, but that can be deceiving.
