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.