Good Holiday Ice Conditions

We have good ice fishing conditions in the Minocqua area for this time of year. Most smaller lakes and flowages have 6 to10 inches of ice. Only a few inches of snow on the ice in most areas. As always, extreme caution still be taken when venturing out. Larger lakes with deeper basins still have areas still unsafe for foot travel and any narrow areas with water flow need to be avoided. On the other extreme I have seen several full size vehicles on the ice. believe this is still a bad idea. I'm walking or using a snowmobile when conditions allow.

I've been chasing Crappie the last few weeks. Have had some good days and some challenging ones also. Have had no problem finding fish with electronics in lake basins 22 to 30 feet deep. Old river channel's in the flowage's are also producing.

I've been utilizing small jigging Rapalas, small spoons and small tungsten jigs tipped with plastics. Most of the active fish we are catching are 2 to 8 feet off the bottom. They can often be enticed into biting by working the bait up above them. When I see them rising up to look at the

bait I often work the bait up and away from them to provoke a strike.

Please practice selective harvest. These fish are especially vulnerable under the ice and grouped up. Tight lines and Happy Holidays!