Chicago fishing, Midwest Fishing Report: Building ice, frigid weather, Chain tip, Green Bay whitefish

Dale, Went out to Sturgeon Bay, fished near the crack that caused 66 fisherman to become stranded earlier in the week, fortunately all returned to land safely, the ice floe has since rejoined the shore ice, once the wind direction changed.

I’ve towed on Fox lake and channel the last week and since I live next to long lake I’ve had a few people reach out and I’ve gone to pull them on and off even when I wasn’t fishing since it’s close to home. I charge $5/ person each way, includes ride on the back of snowmobile and towing all gear behind in a sled or shack

Hey Dale, Just wanted to update on what I saw last week and this week. With how cold it is out a lot less anglers are getting out, though the bite has slowed a bit for me. Pictured below was the biggest of the entire week, 8.5 male. Did well on Friday and Saturday at local subdivision ponds. Overall the snow that fell last Thursday made for great fishing, as the air temp was significantly higher along with a much lower barometric pressure. Now as of today air pressure has shot up back to 30.4, I anticipate fish to slow down. The rest of the week I’ll see what happens.

Hey Dale, Here is a recap of this past weeks fishing. Area lakes-snowpack is making travel difficult. A foot of snow in places with slush under that will get you 6 inches of clear ice with another 4 of frozen slush. Ice is building slowly with the snow blanket on top. Going forward the rest of the ice season it will be critical to stay on top of the green weeds. Light penetration will be limited as the snow pack is not going away anytime soon. Bass have been excellent despite the cold front that moved it. Best bait has been the 13 fishing bamf plastic jigged in 8-9 feet of water along the outside weed lines adjacent to the main basin drop. Bubblegum has been the most consistent color. Bluegill have also been excellent in 7-8 feet of water holding in good weed clumps. Best bait has been a purple glow tungsten jig tipped with multiple spikes. The bite has been consistent mid-morning to mid-afternoon. The frigid temps have not shut down the bite. Here is the nature pic of the week [below]. I found this hawk taking time to chill. No pun intended. TTYL — Ken Husker O’Malley Husker Outdoors Waterwerks fishing team

Oak Park Lounge . the best ice fishing parking in the chain! And they also have rental shacks from www.wetnwildoutfitters.com available

i would get done fishing when ur report comes out lol, heres is my catch for the day, i found a spot(sorry has to stay hidden) but pulled up 16 perch with 9 keepers, all over 9 inches

Fishing Report 2/8/2021 Mike Norris Last weekend’s frigid blast firmed up the ice on Fox Lake and Lake Puckaway but the 8 inches of snow which fell last Thursday is causing problems for anglers driving vehicles out on these lakes. Strong winds on both the day of the storm and the following day created numerous drifts on across area lakes and many anglers reported getting their vehicles stuck in the snow. Despite sub-zero temperatures and fierce winds last Saturday, 77 brave souls hit Fox Lake for the Fox Lake American Legion Fisheree. The bite was tough with reports of perch and bluegills under 8 inches and crappies under 13 inches. Big Green Lake remains dangerous to negotiate with areas of thin ice. I personally know of four anglers walking and another angler on a four-wheeler who broke through the ice on Big Green last week while attempting to reach deeper water which holds ciscoes and lake trout. Fortunately, all five survived their harrowing experience. Ice thickness should improve with this week’s colder weather. Ice floes broke off in three separate locations near Sturgeon Bay during last Thursday’s snowstorm, stranding more than 60 ice anglers. A rescue crew consisting of sheriff’s deputies, local fire-rescue units, and the U.S Coast Guard utilized helicopters and air boats for over 4 hours to get everyone safely back to shore.

Dale, Went out to Sturgeon Bay, fished near the crack that caused 66 fisherman to become stranded earlier in the week, fortunately all returned to land safely, the ice floe has since rejoined the shore ice, once the wind direction changed. All shacks were removed, in fact some shacks were being pulled back out to that area. The crack limited us to to shallower depths managed 2-3 Whitefish one being 22. Sub zero temperatures will provide optimal fishing opportunities soon. Fraser Semple

Good afternoon fellas Here is a quick update on the ice fishing Buckets of Whitefish are being brought in on a daily basis now that we finally have some relatively safe ice after the arctic blast of cold weather we are finally experiencing. Obviously, as most everyone in the word has heard, there was a recent ice rescue here in the county. It was not because the ice wasn’t thick enough, it was because of the wind which is probably the #1 thin that fishermen have to be aware of. If the ice is not totally locked in, it will separate!!! The best bite has been out in the big bay from Henderson’s Point north past the Stone Quarry. Howie Goby Head jigs tipped with plastics have been the best hands down Perch fishing has been going very good. Little Sturgeon, Riley’s Bay and Sawyer Harbor all spots to try your luck. Rosy Reds, Shiners, Fatheads and Wax worms the best live baits Walleye fishing is normal Walleye fishing this time of year. Some days you get a bite and some days you just go through the motion. Henderson’s Point, Sherwood Point and Larsens Reef still the go-to spots. Jigging Raps, Oddball Jigs and rippin rap style baits have been the best Pike fishing is going well also. Downtown Sturgeon Bay, Sawyer Harbor, Pot Park shoreline,Flats, Little Sturgeon and Riley’s Bay all go-to spots. Large Golden Shiners and Sucker minnows suspended under tip ups and auto fishermen the method of choice there Thanks; Lance LaVine Howie’s Tackle 1309 Green Bay Rd Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 Ph: 920-746-9916

Justin Lederer checking in from McQuoids Inn Lake Millie Lacs this weekends cold front has the fish tight to the bottom walleye are being picked up in deeper water 25-35 foot rattle reels and dead sticks 6 inches to a foot off the bottom tipped with either fatheads or medium suckers. Seeing a few big perch caught in the same areas on fatheads. Northern are scattered around expecting better bite coming in March for them. Fishing out of a house or ice castles has still been producing a night bite. Walleye season is coming to an end February 28 so if you want to get on some walleye fishing time is running out. Stay safe on the lakes.

Severe cold weather (temps negative mid-teens to negative mid 20’s) has all but shut down most ice fishing in our area. The few anglers who have ventured out (bravely/foolishly…you pick) have had very little success. With so few participants and such poor reports all we can really do is hunker down and wait for the cold to break, not worth risking frostbite or broken equipment. I’ll just rate everything as Poor for now. The one positive is this cold should be building more ice, giving us a longer season into March. With ice thickness last reported at 17-20, expect lots more once you get back out there. Truck travel should be very good. Snow depth may require tracked ATV/UTV or snowmobiles over wheeled ATV/UTV. Deep basin bites for Crappie and Perch will improve as the thickening ice pushes fish out of the bays for a while. Looks like we don’t get much of a break until Sunday (2/14) then highs back into the 20’s and better fishing ahead. Kurt Justice Kurt’s Island Sport Shop Like us on FaceBook

Lots of groups on ice all over the place bite is best for panfish early morning or at dusk. Tip-up action best late morning thru the day. Few coho being had on squid or jigs tipped with beemoth around 249 bridge in portage Willow slough hit or miss everyday has been different long days of fishing for most out there to put a batch of fish on the ice My wholesaler has been great keeping me in stock with ice gear. Plenty of augers, drill adapters and ice line etc, etc.. Bait delivery’s on the daily.

Here’s what I have for this week. I certainly hope all of you are staying warm & safe! That includes you, too, Dale! ~Anglers have taken to the hard water where good numbers of bluegill and crappies are being caught. Some lakes are producing some nice pike on tip ups. . . . ~The recent cold front thickened ice in most area lakes & ponds to safe enough thickness to allow prolonged ice fishing. Crappie, bluegills, & bass are being caught in nice numbers, very clean & good-sized.

Here’s what I have for this week. I certainly hope all of you are staying warm & safe! That includes you, too, Dale! . . . ~Further east to St. Joseph, fishing has slowed down on the river; due to the ice on Lake Michigan & the river, the dam is the only place to fish is the dam.

They are driving out on both Poygan & Partridge now. Walleye action still good on Poygan. Some northern & panfish on Partridge & Partridge