Peltier at Night

I had my first night ice fishing trip of the season. We went to Peltier, primarily because it was close. I hadn't ever fished there at night before, so I had no idea if the crappies would be active or not.

It was clear that something was active immediately, as we marked fish before we even put down a bait. Unfortunately, though, it was difficult getting them to bite. I think we spent the first 45 minutes without a bite. Carlos eventually caught a bluegill, about 30 seconds after we had decided to try a new spot.

I immediately caught two crappies (one 9 inch, one 7 inch) at the new spot and then Carlos caught one about five minutes later (8 inch). I then suggested that we try moving again, hoping to find aggressive fish at each new spot. Using this method, I eventually caught another really nice crappie (10 inches), as did Carlos (9 inches). Carlos also caught another small bluegill.

In the end, it was a OK night, with 5 crappies and one bluegill finding their way to my fillet knife.

Big Marine/Peltier

I left the house this morning with the intention of going to Big Marine to catch some crappies and hopefully a few northern pike (I was fishing with Ken Hansen, who loves pike). I initially forgot my auger and then I forgot my flasher and camera, so I got a much later start than I wanted.

Sadly, though, it really didn't matter. Neither of us got a bite until after 8am, and even then... it was a VERY small perch (as seen on my camera). So, we left Big Marine and went over the Peltier.

This was my first time on Peltier and I was surprised by how crowded it was. The bite was pretty slow (we arrived after 9am, though). I caught a 6-inch bluegill relatively quickly and Ken caught a smallish perch (big enough for me to keep). We then struggled to get fish to bite (they were attracted to our baits... they just didn't bite) for the next 90 minutes or so.

Then, the fishing picked up ever so slightly and I started getting fish to bite. I caught a nicer perch (8 inches) and few more bluegills. I eventually caught an 8.5-inch crappie and a bluegill of about the same size (my biggest bluegill in a long time).

In the end, I brought home 6 bluegills, 1 crappie, and 3 perch.

South Lindstrom: Frustration

I went ice fishing at South Lindstrom today, which was an entirely frustrating experience. I arrive before sunrise and immediately caught an 8-inch crappie. I think had a few lookers, but no luck until sunrise when I turned on my camera. At that point, I saw a handful of nice crappies and bluegills, as well as a surprisingly number of northerns and walleye... but none of them were interested in my baits. I left around 9:3oam, gaving caught only one crappie on the day.

Ice Fishing Opener

I made it out today for my first day of the ice fishing season. I went to Coon Lake, in part because I have a pretty good knowledge of the lake and its ice. The ice was about 6 inches thick, so I was plenty safe.

In the end, I brought home 17 bluegills (largest = 7 inches, most were 6 inches) and 8 crappies. The early morning bite was not particularly successful, as I had trouble hooking fish for some reason. I started to catch a few more fish around 9am, but then a northern pike moved into the area and that practically killed all action. I say "practically" because I did manage to hook one fish and watch the northern take a shot at him as I was reeling him in. The highlight of the day, though, was the airplane that flew perhaps 50 feet over my portable tent.