Caution needs to be taken on the ice.  Make sure to check your path of travel and remember that the conditions can change rapidly with the sunshine melting the snow and ice.  Situation awareness is essential to maintain your safety during this time of the season.  If you heed these warnings, you can be rewarded with some of the best Panfish action.

Panfish: Bluegills are being found in the shallow green weeds using small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes or tipped with plastic.  Perch are being caught on the deeper green weed edge. Crappies are starting to move into the shallows with this warmer weather. 

Just a reminder as your out fishing this week that the annual WI fishing licenses will be expiring on March 31st.
​
Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.   Colin Crawford's Guide Service, [email protected] (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94.  

The warmer temps this past weekend was a pleasant change, but they also make travel on the lakes more uncertain and difficult.  Additionally, this week is predicted to have above freezing and sunshine during the day and below freezing at night.  Make sure to check your path of travel and remember the conditions can change rapidly, so plan appropriately to stay safe.  Some of the best Panfish action happens during this time of year.

Lake trails most likely will be closed/unmarked as the snowmobile season comes to an end.  So, make sure to easily make your gear location identifiable to avoid problems.  Location and situation awareness becomes a key part to fishing during this time of the season.

Panfish: Bluegills are being found in the shallow green weeds using small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes or tipped with plastic.  Perch are being caught on the deeper green weed edge. Crappies are still suspended over deep water. 

​Permanent ice shacks are to be off the water, as the deadline in Wisconsin for removal was by March 18th.  Keep in mind that the annual WI fishing licenses will be expiring on March 31st.

Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, [email protected] (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94.  

This week is predicted to have melting temps, which will make travel more stressful on the lakes with the slush and thinning ice on the water.  But remember, this transitional period is a necessary beginning step to the transition to open water fishing.  Make sure to check your path of travel and remember the conditions can change rapidly.  Panfish action really kicks into full gear with these weather patterns and can readily become the path to that tasty fish fry.

Since the lake conditions may be rapidly changing, remember that fishing isn’t the only sport utilizing the lake and dealing with these sloppier conditions.  So be careful where you are drilling your holes and stay away from the barrels for snowmobiles and if possible, consider that they may also be dealing with the slushy conditions and may not be riding the path closest to the barrels; so, make sure to easily make your gear location identifiable to riders to avoid problems.  Location and situation awareness becomes a key part to fishing during this time of the season.

Panfish: Bluegills are being found in the green weeds using small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes or tipped with plastic.  Perch are being caught on the deeper green weed edge where the mud meets. Crappies are starting to move into the weeds with the warmer weather.  

Also, just a reminder that gamefish season in Wisconsin and boundary water lakes closed (such as Lac Vieux Desert and some of the Cisco Chain).  On March 15th the inland waters of MI also close for remaining gamefish species.  Also, a heads up that the date for permanent ice shack removal from MI boundary waters is March 15th and the area inland waters is March 31st.  Wisconsin’s removal is to be done by March 18th.  Keep in mind that the annual WI fishing licenses will be expiring on March 31st.
​
Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, [email protected] (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94.  

Although it isn’t as warm as the past week, it is still warming up.  Resulting in a lot more slush, which will make travel much more difficult on the lakes and more importantly it may result in potentially the thinning of ice.  Make sure to use common sense when on the lakes to avoid being stuck or worse yet, in the water.  This warmer weather also means that the panfish action is more intense and that the weeds will be seeing more action. Remember that some of the area lakes are also marked with barrels for snowmobiles and to punch your holes away from the trail areas.

Northern Pike:  We are still finding fish on the weed edges cruising in the deeper weeds. On the edges the set up should be tip ups set a foot or so off the bottom.  When fishing the deep weeds, set your tip ups so that your bait is just above the tops of the weeds.

Walleye: These fish are being caught in a couple of areas, in and around weeds.  Setting tip ups on the weed edges baited with walleye suckers or medium golden shiners in low light conditions seem to be best.  Also, jigging in the same areas with baits like the buckshot rattle spoon are producing fish.  The other good option is on the tops of rock humps for good spots in the early evening.

Panfish: Bluegills are being found in the green weeds using small jigs tipped with waxies, spikes or tipped with plastic.  Perch are being caught on the deeper green weed edge where the mud meets. Crappies are starting to move into the weeds with the warmer weather.  

Also, just a reminder that gamefish season in Wisconsin closed March 4th and boundary water lakes closed March 1st (such as Lac Vieux Desert and some of the Cisco Chain).  On March 15th the inland waters of MI also close for remaining gamefish species.  Also, a heads up that the date for permanent ice shack removal from MI boundary waters is March 15th and the area inland waters is March 31st.  Wisconsin’s removal is to be done by March 18th.
​
Happy fishing!  Selective harvest is the way to go.  Colin Crawford's Guide Service, [email protected] (715)891-2715.  Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. NPAA #94.