Think Pelican ice will last??

[Springbuck]

I was supposed to get out Wed, but got out maneuvered by wife and work. She bought tickets, I guess.

Anyway, my next chance is Monday. I really want to go to Pelican to bury the bad skunk from last time, but will the ice last or shall I look for someplace to go at higher elevation and wait till ice off?

Anybody know how Pelican is right after ice off?
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[fishnate]

Unless someone else knows for sure, I would try some place else. From all I've heard its bad and getting worse. The day time temps out here have been pretty warm for the last two weeks. Night temps have not been too far below freezing.
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[Out4Trout]

[cool]No, unfortunately, at least not the edges. The main lake as of last monday had 22 inches of ice or so, but the edges are getting real soft. I broke through on my way off the lake, but it was only 6 inches deep, lucky for me... Oh yeah, hit my favorite (always successful in the past) spots and even a bunch of new ones and the catching was non-existent for me. I marked fish, but never a great school and the ones i marked didn't want to bite. I couldn't believe it... I ripped them last year on a solo outing, but it was 3 weeks earlier. I guess that made a difference. Weather was killer though. probably 45 degrees on the ice and sunny after the fog cleared out about 11.
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[PACKFAN]

Trfishin's jigs worked geat for us last Friday, we fished a couple different places and caught fish in both areas and on three different colors, I didn't tip the jigs at all. The one thing I have noticed this year with the gills as they are very thin and not alot of meat on the shoulders. I have talked to several guys who fish it pretty extensively and they said the same thing. Hope this is not a trend starting there, especially after the grubs are starting to disappear in the fish.
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[Springbuck]

Drat! Was hoping for one last try on the ice...

Oh, well, I guess I'll hit it in late April or early May...
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[trfishin]

Hey guys and gals I hate to see the ice going fast but dont worry open water will be just as good and fast fishing when the ice is gone. I just put the ice shack and auger away and get out the boat and take my small reels off my jiggin poles and put them on my long casting poles. In the boat or off the shore its always a great time.

My son and I hook on some of my plastics and its FISH ON. summertime is always good for pelican lake. Well any lake.

Attached are some pictures from Free fishing day June 6, 2009 and Kids day at Pelican lake fishing with my son. We went down and were field testing my plastics baits I make and Yes they did produce some nice fish.

He was the big fish winner as usual I missed some nice bass and he caught this 18"er all by himself and is still telling everyone how he caught a bigger bass than me. Thats ok with me I love fishing with him hes a great fishermen with lots of patients.

Just remember to have fun and take the kids fishing to. Its a great way to spend the day or weekend with your family making some great memories that last a life time. Dont forget the camera to take a picture of your catch to. I have lots of pictures and some of my favorite pictures are of my family catching some fish even if they aren't giant fish. We always get big s pulling them in.

Good luck fishing trfishin
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[PACKFAN]

Great pictures Jim, looks like he had a great day. Maybe we can tie up one day at Willard this summer and get him into some wipers.
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[trfishin]

Hey that sounds good im sure he would love to hook into a few wipers and maybe a walleye. Im digging the boat out of the back of the garage this week to get it ready to go. wont be long now.
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[Springbuck]

trfishin, kis it good right after ice off? I went once, still fairly early in the year (still cold at night and kids in hoodies most of the day) and it was pretty slow for bluegill fishing. I wish I could remember the month, etc.

I got a limit, back when it was 10 gills, but no bass, took several hours and the wife got annoyed for me being gone from camp so long and the kids lost interest. Turns out the fish were still at the deepest part of the lake and we had to take the canoe after them.

Is that typical for early spring on Pelican? Often at Pineview the crappies rush to the shoreline brush as soon as the edges start to warm. Is it more like that right after ice off?
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[trfishin]

hey Springbuck I have had great luck after the ice has come off the lake and the water starts to warm up, but i have had my best luck out in deeper water until the water temperature comes up then they seem to start moving in shallower. you never know a good fish finder and a little patients is needed sometimes to find them but once you do its Fish On
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[kochanut]

i remember these pics of your little man and that largie, they are awesome!
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[trfishin]

Hey Kochanut, Thanks hes a great fisherman and hes only 6yrs old now and is a fishing nut just like me[]. Only problem is everytime we go fishing I go to tie on a jig or get something and hes starts Dad I got a big one get the net, and sure enough hes got one and it always seems to be bigger than mine and he loves that.

He said he wants to get another big fish mounted since I have 11 and he only has 1 so far on the wall.
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[PACKFAN]

Do you have a good taxidermist in your area, how are his rates? Drop a PM if you wish.
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[PACKFAN]

Thanks for the PM, think I'll stay with a friend in Syracuse who does our stuff. Sounds like you may have had a problem or two in the past.[fishin]
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[trfishin]

No problem, Im always looking for a good taxidermst for adding another fish to the wall. Just hard to get a good job sometimes. I dont mind paying the price$$$ if the work is good. I will have to check out your mounts and maybe try your taxidermist the next go around Thanks packfan
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