“In The Smiley Barn”
I-94 & Hwy 83 * Delafield, WI 53018
(262) 646-2218
www.dicksmithslivebait.com
Thursday, February 6th, 2025
In general, the ice conditions are great on our area lakes. Most of the lakes have between 12-15” of ice. However, with the warm stretch last week, there have been some cracks and heaves that have developed on the lakes. Please be cautious of these areas, especially when on an ATV or UTV. The ice is really slick, so please use creepers/ice cleats on your boots
Bluegill action is best around green weeds in 5 to 8 feet of water. There are some lakes in the area where the gills were found in 20 to 30 feet of water. A flasher is needed to locate these fish as often they are suspended off the bottom. A spring bobber, light 2# to 4# test line, and a 3mm or 4mm sized ice jig must be used to entice bluegills. Tungsten style ice jigs were preferred while fishing deeper water. Waxworms, Red or White Spikes, and Wigglers work best for live bait. Ice plastics such as Little Atom Wedgees, IJO Plastics, Custom Jigs & Spins Finesse tails, and TJ’s Plastics worked as well. Aggressive bluegills hit small jigging lures such as Kenders T-Rips, Eurotackle Z-Vibers or Small Jigging Rapalas tipped with red spikes.
Crappies are most active during evening hours. Look for them suspended above weeds in 8 to 15 feet of water or suspended over 20-30 feet, often just a few feet below the ice. Using tip downs with a #14 gold treble hook baited with a Small Fathead or Rosy Red minnow work best. A size #8 Rocker, Moon, or Ratfinkee ice jig baited with a Wiggler, Wax Worm, or Ice Plastic work as well. Small jigging lures such as a Lil Cecil, Z-Viber, Jointed Pinhead Minnows, Small Jigging Rapalas or UL Rippin Rap produced aggressive crappies. Present your bait above the school as crappies feed up.
Perch locations and depths vary from lake to lake. Some lakes they are found in 8 to 15 feet of water over sand flats with scattered green weed clumps, near the bottom. Some lakes they are found in deeper water, from 40 to 70 feet of water. Ratfinkee Jigs or 4mm Tungsten jigs loaded with spikes or a minnow head have produced. Tip-ups or tip-downs rigged with a 4# fluorocarbon leader, #14 red treble hook, baited with a large rosy red, or fathead minnow produces larger perch.
Northern pike will be found around shallower weed beds. Tip-ups rigged with a 40# fluorocarbon leader, #6 or #4 treble hook and baited with a large or jumbo golden shiner or medium sucker will produce the most action. Using Dick Smith’s leaders with beads or small spinner blades along with DK’s Magic powder on the tail of the minnow work great as added attractants. Place your bait just above the tops of weeds for best results. Brined jumbo smelt on a smelt rig can also work great, especially for big pike.
Walleye fishing was best fishing shallow during dark hours and deeper during daylight hours. Tip-ups rigged with a fluorocarbon leader, #10 or #12 treble hook, and baited with a minnow will work best. Walleyes prefer a medium golden shiner, baby chub, small sucker or large rosy red minnows. Jigging with a VMC Hatchet Spoon, #5 or # 7 Jigging Rapala, UL Rippin Rap, Shiver Minnow or Swedish Pimple tipped with a minnow head will attract aggressive walleyes.
Please practice Catch and Release for the Future of Fishing
Please practice Selective Harvesting for the Future of Fishing.
Please visit the WI DNR website for rules on possession, bag, and minimum size limits.
Good Luck!
Mike & Becky Smith