01-11-2022, 08:43 PM
1st trip of the new year and 1st time out on the ice this ice season. This morning I arrived at the state park at about 6:15. 1st person there. It was balmy 5 degrees upon arrival.
The park had plowed the roads and also one lane all the way to the bottom of the boat ramp. No snow on the ice, slick conditions, but did the shuffle. I drilled a test hole and found 6" of solid ice. Went to the 1st spot and caught a couple of small ones then got this 19" beauty.
It slowed after that so I took a walk/hike over to one of my favorite spots that isn't too close to the ramp. Found at least 5" of ice when I drilled as I went. It was a good move on my part and I found some very willing fish of the larger variety. These came in succession:
They were full of fight and the 3 largest took a lot of drag especially that last one. If I could have squeezed the tail I'm sure it would have broken the 20" mark. But a 4 fish limit of nice bows over 17", I'll take that any day. I was back in my truck headed home at 10:00 am.
The park had plowed the roads and also one lane all the way to the bottom of the boat ramp. No snow on the ice, slick conditions, but did the shuffle. I drilled a test hole and found 6" of solid ice. Went to the 1st spot and caught a couple of small ones then got this 19" beauty.
It slowed after that so I took a walk/hike over to one of my favorite spots that isn't too close to the ramp. Found at least 5" of ice when I drilled as I went. It was a good move on my part and I found some very willing fish of the larger variety. These came in succession:
They were full of fight and the 3 largest took a lot of drag especially that last one. If I could have squeezed the tail I'm sure it would have broken the 20" mark. But a 4 fish limit of nice bows over 17", I'll take that any day. I was back in my truck headed home at 10:00 am.