By Louie Stout

Ice fishing fever has spread more than the Omicron Virus as more anglers continue to branch out on area lakes.

“A lot of people are getting out on a lot more different waters which tells me the ice has gotten better,” said Brian Hensley of Clear H2o Tackle in Edwardsburg, Mich. “I’m hearing of 6 inches or less, but that doesn’t mean you can walk just anywhere. You still have to be careful, especially in those areas where others haven’t ventured or lakes that got more snow.”

Snow hadn’t been a problem in lakes around Middlebury, Ind., said Mike Raber of the Tackle Shack.

“The bite had been kinda slow, and guys figure it was because the ice was so clear and no snow covering,” he said. “But that’s not an issue today as we got snow.”

Raber added that anglers who were having the best success were fishing deeper basins of lakes.

Hensley said not everyone has had good luck but he has heard of pretty good successes.

“It seems like those guys catching the most fish were using No. 4 or 5 tungsten jigs,” he said. “Some claimed they did better with spikes while others said they had more luck with plastics on those jigs.”

Raber said Bricker Bugs seemed to be the popular jig in his area.

“Guys are tipping them with either spikes or wax worms,” he added.

Hensley offered an interesting observation about fishing Michigan and Indiana lakes during the winter.

“It seems like Indiana ice fishermen fish more and have better success in 15 feet or less while in Michigan it’s 20 and deeper,” he said.