mannym Posted December 3, 2014 Report Posted December 3, 2014 I have been wondering how many ISA members do the ice fishing gig. So i thought to try for a roll call. Maybe tell us where you live, where you fish regularly and where you plan to go this year. 1. I'm in lowell just down from Starved Rock. I fish some small private farm ponds, evergreen lake, Shabbona and sometimes the fox chain. I make many trips up to WI to fish lake mendota fr perch, kishkonong for pike and have been as far north as the turtle flowage for crappie and eyes I hope to make it to lake poygan and Green Bay in Wi and west okoboji in Iowa. With any luck, i will get my wall mounter bullgill this year. If anyone ever wants to tag along, i have two complete sets of gear. Vex,auger and shanty, couple dozen rods and tip ups. All you need is your warm clothes. Quote
eugene f collins Posted December 4, 2014 Report Posted December 4, 2014 Hi Manny. Ice is getting close. But threat of rain this weekend could destroy the ice again. Quote
Eric Posted December 4, 2014 Report Posted December 4, 2014 I like to ice fish -- especially when Eugene is nearby with his flasher and power auger!!! Quote
eugene f collins Posted December 4, 2014 Report Posted December 4, 2014 Always good to be needed. I like to ice fish -- especially when Eugene is nearby with his flasher and power auger!!! :-) Almost getting the itch to walk on water. Quote
Guest rich mc Posted December 4, 2014 Report Posted December 4, 2014 big bluegills.... ice fishing.... Eugene.... I know a pond rich mc Quote
mannym Posted December 4, 2014 Author Report Posted December 4, 2014 Eugene, Our hope for ice before the new year is fading away. The ten day shows a few days near 50.... Eric, Early ice finds me fishing alone often since drilling is not too much work. Once the ice hits 12 inches or more, I tend to call buddies with gas augers to go with. The propane models are super, btw. If I get a good bonus, I may try to find a used power auger this season. Rich, (cough cough), I like ponds too....... I was reading that a few Dane county lakes are fishable right now. I may have to sneak out Saturday morning. John G, We should try that lake that sits between us. It tends to be good every few years. The last two sucked so guessing we may be lucky this year. A few pics from years past to get the blood pumping: Quote
Eric Posted December 4, 2014 Report Posted December 4, 2014 Nice. I think having a flasher is so much fun. One of these days! My family and I go to Green Lake, WI in the summers and I thought it was neat that the place we stay is now offering an "Augers and Lagers" ice fishing getaway! http://www.heidelhouse.com/packages/Details/0a0bdb8c-051b-47d8-8a86-a3e600fc3e89 Marketing genius. Quote
Eric Posted December 5, 2014 Report Posted December 5, 2014 Our Fly Fishing Director & Exec Board Member John Loebach kickin' it at Silver Lake at Blackwell. Love the IDGAF look. Quote
eugene f collins Posted December 5, 2014 Report Posted December 5, 2014 Rich. ...I would Swiss cheese that pond! Expect me there for 12 hours or more,until they throw me out! Manny. Thinking of a run across the cheddar curtain. Ice will come to Illinois. ..... Eric, great pic of John! I remember that day! Glad /hope I was helpful with the kids. Quote
JeffreyB Posted December 12, 2014 Report Posted December 12, 2014 New to ISA but wanted to pipe in. I love to ice fish if and when the ice gets safe. Doesn't happen every winter around here or not, at least, until the latter part of winter. Last year, obviously, was not a problem. Wore myself out using my hand auger-the ice became so thick! Don't know if I would much care for it if all I had were tip ups but my flasher makes it great fun-and reasonably productive. Anyone who says bass can't be caught through the ice hasn't been doing it very long. But I also enjoy catching bluegill, crappie, and the occassional catfish. We have few walleye downstate except at Dawson Lake. Anyway, I can't wait to get on the ice (eventually) and also to hear the stories of others. Stay safe and don't risk thin ice!!! Quote
mannym Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Posted December 12, 2014 Usually, north of interstate 80 gets plenty of ice all winter long. Down by you, Dawson I hear is a good lake as is Bloomington and Evergreen. Quote
mannym Posted December 12, 2014 Author Report Posted December 12, 2014 Nice. I think having a flasher is so much fun. One of these days! My family and I go to Green Lake, WI in the summers and I thought it was neat that the place we stay is now offering an "Augers and Lagers" ice fishing getaway! http://www.heidelhouse.com/packages/Details/0a0bdb8c-051b-47d8-8a86-a3e600fc3e89 Marketing genius. How are the panfish on that lake? Quote
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