Up Nort', Vilas County, First Ice report of Jan 2-5 2014

Thinking it would be best to kick 2014 off properly and against the better judgement of my peers, I made the trek up to Vilas County for a New Years fishing trip. With a new moon on Jan 1st and a warm up day Saturday, I ignored the sub zero temperatures and the approach of "hercules", packed up the rig and headed North.

Ice was 20+ inches everywhere I went, making for safe and confident vehicle travel. Daytime temps were in the single digits, climbing into the high teens on Saturday. Nighttime lows were well below zero. 

 My home on the ice. From sun up till sun down

 We got first tracks

 Beware of dogs, fish at own risk

 Big buck

Fishing was not fast and furious, but I did manage a good haul for my first outing of the New Year. Not to mention, the solitude found up there can't be beat and was a welcomed  change of pace following the holiday season.

No fish came on tip ups. For me, that is a rare occurrence up there. The cold weather didn't help. I was less than ambitious about re-setting and re-locating non productive sets. I did manage some crappie, and found a very productive bluegill spot home to some very sizable specimens.

A Crappie Weekend Up North

The family and I took a trip to the Northwoods this past weekend for some ice fishing and fresh air....and snow! The ride up was white knuckle driving all the way to Vilas County but we took our time and thankfully made it safe and sound to my Uncle's place despite the dozens of other drivers we saw spun off the road in the ditches. 

We arrived later than planned and even with the driving snow, were determined to get out for the evening bite. We unpacked the gear, re-set the truck for ice fishing mode and set out to our first destination. 

Before we left, I snapped this photo of a black squirrel, once I saw him, I knew it was going to be a good weekend.

 Allthough the evening bite was a small window, we managed some nice crappie. The bite really started picking up around 4PM and tapered off around 6PM. The biggest crappie of the evening was 11 inches. Way to go Mom!

Crappie were suspended off the bottom, feeding upward. I set up the shack and stayed quiet. Call me crazy but it actually seemed to help encourage the fish to bite more frequently. 

Sometimes you have to take a break from the fishing. When you do, order a cold one, or an Old Fashioned. (Brandy, sweet of course, with fruit).

Another day, another batch of keepers. Biggest one this day was every bit of 12 inches.

With one more weekend of game fishing season left, it's time to get out there. Ice on the lakes we fished was 24 to 30 inches. It snowed everyday we were there and even with 4WD, getting around on the lake was not easy. Bring a shovel, sand, a come along or some straps. 

Cheers!

Hard Water

Well, I can't think of any better way to end the year and cap the holiday season off than an ice fishing trip with my Dad.

Tomorrow we will be headed North to Vilas County to do some much needed relaxing. Recent reports have us excited for Pike and Walleye on a strong bite as well as gills and crappie still feeding strong.

I have the tip ups ready to go, fresh line on my jigging rods, and plenty of new colors sizes and styles of jigs to try out. 

 A soldiers row of Beaver Dam tip ups ready for action.

My little box of new stuff. I assembled this one tonight.

The weather is looking pretty good for a long weekend on the ice. Reports to follow, and maybe some recipes too....