FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley - WEEK OF 12/7 to 12/14

Ice season is here, and with the colder nights predicted we should see steady progress on the ice formation-front, across the Northwoods. The smallest, most sheltered lakes are building usable ice first, while anything larger or wind-exposed remains inconsistent. We’ve heard from a couple of people who have gone through the ice in the last week, resulting in a very cold bath. There was even one extra-enthusiastic (and maybe a little whisky-fueled) angler who took their car through the ice on Thunder. Seems like there’s that one guy every year…thankfully everyone has turned up ok!

Early-season ice varies widely from lake to lake and spot to spot, so caution is still the name of the game. Generally, we’re getting reports are of 2-6” where people are going out. Use a spud, stay spread out, and avoid current areas for now. The coming stretch of cold should help things settle in nicely, but for now, treat everything like early ice—because it is.

Walleye anglers have been the first to report consistent action. With many deeper areas still out of safe reach, the fish are holding in the shallow weeds and nearby flats, which is typical for the first week or two of ice. Medium shiners or sucker minnows under tip-ups are producing, especially during the low-light windows. Jigging rattle spoons or smaller, more subtle jigs has been effective when the fish are finicky. Expect the bite to improve as ice thickens and anglers can spread out more.

Northern reports are expected to pick up with the thickening ice. Early pike tend to stay tight to deeper green weeds, and once anglers can reach those areas, the flags start popping. Large shiners or suckers under tip-ups remain the classic and reliable approach.

Panfish action has been the most predictable so far. Bluegills are right where they should be—shallow weeds in protected bays—and the bite has been steady. Small jigs tipped with waxies continue to be the go-to. Some anglers are already switching to crappie minnows for a mixed bag, and we should start hearing more crappie reports once anglers can access slightly deeper basins. As always early in the season, try mixing light jigging with dead-sticking to see what they respond to.

As ice builds this week, now is the perfect time to tune up augers, check shelters, replace dull hooks, and get the rest of your gear squared away. This quiet early window doesn’t last long, and with the forecast looking favorable, we’re likely heading into another solid season. Stay cautious, take your time, and enjoy the calm before the lake traffic picks up.

Good luck and good fishin’!

                                          Wisconsin Fishing Information

                                                                                                                           

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