Fish Lake Report and Question

[lumberjack031]

This is my second season ice fishing at Fish Lake. Took the family out to the north end with my new Clam XL 2000 shelter which was awesome. The bow fishing was quick in about 40' with most fish around the 15' range but the little ones can only be occupied for so long [] So we only fished for a few hours but it was good fun. The ice was 5-7" thick so maybe a little butt clinching at times since it was crystal clear in most areas.

My question is this what do most people use for the rainbows and splakes? I have not had trouble getting the perch but I did notice after a little bit many fish were coming up and then darting away from the jig with wax worms (used foxee jigs, paddle bugs, gizits, white and chartreuse). Thought it might be scent so I put some shrimp scent but didn't change response. Thoughts and experience?

Thanks in advance.
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[cdbrc]

My favorite bait is purchase skin. It stays on forever and is natural bait for FL. When the bite slowed go smaller with no jig body just the purchase bait. Works for me...
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[troutgass]

Thanks for the report. I don't want to hi-jack this thread, but was it "purchase skin"? Is that something that you can buy?
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[TyeDyeTwins]

Sucker meat is deadly at Fish Lake!
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[doggonefishin]

Splake love perch meat also, and as you saw, it is readily available. At FL, I usually do best for splake with white jigs tipped with perch meat. The bows usually will pound wax or mealworms tipped with a smaller jig.
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[lakepowellnut]

I second what doggonefishin said. We always stop and catch some perch before we head out into deeper water.
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[Duckbutter]

I just want to say props for taking the youngins out. I am in the same stage of life, and will be taking my soon to be four year old and my two year old out on New Years, and again on Saturday. It's not easy, and not for the faint of heart, but worth all the effort. Good on ya.
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[lumberjack031]

My three-year-old could fish all day long as long as we caught fish but the 18-month-old who's not quite as interested but it definitely makes for a shorter fishing days[]. Thanks for all the responses hope to be there on New Year's Day.
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[Stickhorse]

It definately ain't easy taking the young ones. I remember well the tangles and running back and forth baiting hooks and never getting a line in the water for myself. Now my four are in their 20's. Both the boys and the girls love fishing and love to get the old man out once in awhile and will even tie on a hook for me while I'm looking for my reading glasses. Good on ya keep it up.
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