Northwood's Fishing Report: Late February
Ice fishing in the Northwoods continues to be very productive. Many of guys are fishing for panfish and gamefish.
Ice conditions are in good shape for the most part at 20" or more on most lakes, but there has been some snow accumulation. Travel is going ok but bring a friend and a shovel as sometimes there are a few drifts here and there that can stop you in your tracks. One of our guides got stuck briefly but it just required a little hand push from a friend and he was on his way.
Area guides Russ and Jake Smith of Smity Bait Company caught a meal of good sized Crappies with the largest being 14". They were using Swedish Pimples tipped with a Crappie minnow head. The Smity's said the fishing was fantastic but they quit after they had enough for a nice fish fry with the family.
Most of the Crappies and Panfish have been in the 8'-9' depth range but guys have been finding them suspended over 20'-25' up about 5' or so off of the bottom. Those suspended fish will come up for a bait. If you're fishing a flowage look for Crappies and Panfish in any wooded areas and channel edges.
The Northern Pike bite has been good. Fred Palermo, Musky Shop guide, caught several pike for pickling his last trip out. Fred was using Medium and Large Golden Shiners on tip ups. Fred ice fishes for fun and goes out often so if you're in the Minocqua area please stop by as Fred has very good local knowledge of the ice fishing bite.
A lot of the Northerns have been caught in the 10'-15' range in weeds or weed edges. A friend of the shop (Jim Menke) caught a really nice 38" pike using a Golden Shiner in 10'-12'. Walleye Suckers have been working well also for predatory game fish.
Walleye fishing continues to be strong with reports of their locations being a bit scattered. Some fishermen have caught them shallow in the 4'-8', timber and weeds but good catches a bit deeper along edges in that 12'-16' area. Some ice anglers have caught some nice marble eyes suspended over deep water.
Jigging Rapalas have been working well as well as Walleye Suckers and Golden Shiners.
We have a good selection of ice fishing gear in stock and Fresh Live Bait that stays in great lively condition due to ice cold water straight from the well.
We hope you have great ice fishing when you get out and please let us know if we can be of service to you.
Kind Regards from The Musky Shop Staff.