Musky Shop Northwood's Fishing Report: Late February
Hi Everyone,
The Wisconsin game fish season is winding down as it ends March 5th 2023. Ice fishing has been quite good despite the swings in the weather. Ice conditions in Oneida and Vilas county is approximately 20" and travel conditions on the ice currently are very safe. It's slippery but doable. One should consider wearing a set of creepers to help prevent a fall. As I write this, the weatherman is predicting a winter storm that could dump quite a bit of snow so ice travel conditions could change a bit. Fortunately, it's supposed to be pretty cold so the snow should be pretty easy to work around.
Our staff member Fred Palermo has been doing quite well on the ice. Freddy has pretty much been on top of Crappies all year round as well as many other species. Fred caught a bunch of nice Crappies a few of days ago using Crappie Minnows and Rosy Red Minnows. Waxies, Red Spikes and White Spikes are working really well too. Fred has been doing most of his fishing lately with Top Downs in 10'-14' near a structural edge with some stumps nearby. Sometimes Crappies prefer wood type cover versus a weed type of cover and that day Fred caught Crappies up to 14" near the wood.
Walleye and Northern Pike fishing has been really good during the late ice season. Daytime fishing has been pretty strong at times, but sundown to dark and a bit after has really shined for Walleye and Pike. Depending what type of system, you are fishing, Eye's and Northerns have been in the 6'-12' and the clearer water systems. Gamefish have been a little deeper in the 8'-18' in weeds and wood. Medium and Large Golden Shiners as well as Walleye Suckers and Northern Pike Minnows have been the preferred live bait.
Tip Ups and Jigging have been good applications when chasing Marble Eye's and Pike. We have a great selection of fresh live bait that live in super cold well water as well as Red and White Spikes and Wax Worms and plenty of artificial lures to use as well.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please feel free to stop by the shop or contact us as it will be our pleasure to serve you.
Good Fishing and God Bless, Jim Stewart
