FISHING WITH THE GUIDES with George Langley - Week of 12/8 to 12/15.

 Our ice conditions are getting better with cold weather on the horizon, but we could still do without any more snow for a bit. Those warm days we had helped knock the snow that we did get down a bit, and hopefully this stretch of 3 or 4 days well-below freezing will firm everything up, including the slush we’ve seen on some lakes. We need to grow some ice and freeze up those swamps for snowmobiles before we get a big snowfall.

 What we have at this point anywhere from 0 to 6 inches of ice on area lakes. Some of the big lakes are still basically wide open, but there’s plenty of ice to be had elsewhere. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if the cold days and nights would stick around for more than a few days at a time, and get us all prepped for a real winter? Despite some warmer temps, we’re still on track for a nice season up here for all who enjoy being out in it. Let’s all keep our collective fingers crossed!

 Walleye fishing is decent now, with the usual pattern of good evening tip-up fishing near the drop-off edges and the weed edges, where the fish are moving to in those evening to feed. We’re still not seeing anglers able to move around the way they would like to on many bodies of water, because the ice conditions are still iffy, but it’s been a good start. Medium shiners or medium sucker minnows are the preferred bait under those tip-ups. This action can last for several hours after dark for those brave enough to stay out there.

 Northerns are hitting in the weeds and can be a good addition to an afternoon of pan fishing, but we’re still not able to get as deep as we’d like on many bodies of water. They are hitting larger shiners under tip-ups in the weed areas. If you know how to fillet those “Y bones” out of them, they are delicious. The fish in the size of 24 to 28 inches are very tasty! Put out several tip-ups and then do some bluegill fishing or perch fishing in those weeds with your jigging rod.

 Crappie are just a little time away, as they are in deeper holes for the winter. As the ice gets thicker we'll see a lot of anglers out over those holes.

 Be safe out there. It is best to take a spud (and a buddy) along and check thickness as you go, especially if you are going to new spots. While it keeps the off-road recovery folks busy, it’s not time for machines on the ice up here yet, so enjoy the quiet while you can. Hopefully by next week we’ll be able to report on crappie in the deep holes.

 Good luck and good fishin’!

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