Gear & Tackle to Kick Start the Ice Season

Ice fishing is in full swing here in Wisconsin! I have been able to get out a handful of times, much earlier than the past few years due to cool weather conditions. Each outing has been with my boyfriend, Kurt, and our friends/family. We have had some excellent days with dozens of slab crappie, handful of jumbo perch, and many eater eyes. On the other hand, we have had a few days where the fish were extremely finicky and the success rate was extremely low. Either way, it is always enjoyable to get out on the ice!

On my social media pages, I am often asked what gear I use during the hard water season and what my favorite tackle is. This blog will share some of the gear I use and my current go-to lures.

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Winter Panfish

Into the Deep for Winter Panfish

By: David Duwe

For many years, my father and I were plagued with catching only 5 to 6 inch panfish while ice fishing in the shallow weed flats.   My how things have changed, with Vexilar and Marcum fish locators, 5-6 inch panfish are a thing of the past. The ability to see underneath the ice opened up the deep water structure on many local lakes. With fish locators, ice fishermen can now work the deep water locations where the larger panfish reside. Continue Reading

Striker Brands – Ice Fishing Suits

Striker Brands – Ice Fishing Suits: Mother Nature has met her Match!

 
 
Striker Brands: Ice Fishing Apparel

Picture this…

 

“Today is the day! You’re getting out on the ice and you couldn’t be more excited! You have all your gear packed, food packed, coffee brewed, and are ready to get out and catch some fish. You want to get to the fishing spot you’ve been thinking about for the past month or so, so you leave far before the sun is up. Once you arrive at your destination you unload your necessities and make your way onto the frozen lake. You’re pulling a sled behind you, which is filled with everything you’ll need for the day. A huge smile spreads across your face as you continue to walk on the ice towards your fishing spot. The only thought going through your mind is how many fish you’ll catch and keep for a fish fry tonight, when suddenly one of your boots breaks through the ice. Without a second to react, your other boot breaks through causing your entire body to fall into the freezing depths of the lake.”

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Gear & Tackle to Kick Start the Ice Season

 

Gear & Tackle to Kick Start the Ice Season

By: Alicia Thompson

Ice fishing is in full swing here in Wisconsin! I have been able to get out a handful of times, much earlier than the past few years due to cool weather conditions. Each outing has been with my boyfriend, Kurt, and our friends/family. We have had some excellent days with dozens of slab crappie, handful of jumbo perch, and many eater eyes. On the other hand, we have had a few days where the fish were extremely finicky and the success rate was extremely low. Either way, it is always enjoyable to get out on the ice!

On my social media pages, I am often asked what gear I use during the hard water season and what my favorite tackle is. This blog will share some of the gear I use and my current go-to lures.

Continue Reading

Ice Fish Perch

Poinsett Perch

By: Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson 

After several weeks of sub-zero temperatures, the ice fishing season across the upper Midwest is finally in full swing. We were able to at last get out on the ice a few weeks ago and what a day it was! Warm temperatures in the mid 30s greeted us as we drove out onto Lake Poinsett in South Dakota, one of the state’s best multispecies fisheries. Continue Reading

Sturgeon Spearing: Wisconsin’s Hidden Gem

Sturgeon Spearing: Wisconsin’s Hidden Gem

Most Wisconsinites have heard of and know something about sturgeon spearing on Lake Winnebago and the upriver lakes.   Whether you have seen it, done it, or read stories about it-there is surely some common knowledge amongst sportsmen of this somewhat mythological season.  However, there are a number of you out there that are, as of yet, unfamiliar with sturgeon spearing, not to mention its draw, uniqueness, and history.   Sturgeon spearing is a great tradition in Wisconsin (and especially in the Lake Winnebago region).   While the sport and season are known entities to most Wisconsinites, the history of it and work that goes on behind the scenes is both impressive and necessary to keep this “jewel of Wisconsin” at the luster it now maintains. Continue Reading

Keep Your Ice Outings Safe And Successful

Keep Your Ice Outings Safe And Successful

Traveling around Central Wisconsin from county to county, probing through the ice on many of  our state’s most popular bodies of water like I do is nothing to jump right into without doing some homework before each and every outing. Whether you are an avid ice angler that spends more time on hard water than in a boat, or just getting into the sport of ice fishing, there are many things to consider in order to keep every adventure safe. I am not only sharing safety tips here, but many different strategies that keep me and my clients consistently successful on many different frozen lakes. Continue Reading

Gear & Tackle to Kick Start the Ice Season 

Gear & Tackle to Kick Start the Ice Season 

Ice fishing is in full swing here in Wisconsin! I have been able to get out a handful of times, much earlier than the past few years due to cool weather conditions. Each outing has been with my boyfriend, Kurt, and our friends/family. We have had some excellent days with dozens of slab crappie, handful of jumbo perch, and many eater eyes. On the other hand, we have had a few days where the fish were extremely finicky and the success rate was extremely low. Either way, it is always enjoyable to get out on the ice!

Continue Reading