Sweet Spot

The "Raw Rye" bite continues to be killer every where I seem to drill a hole in the ice.  Not only have I caught lots of eater fish, but I have been on the big "Raw Ryes" this winter.  I work hard to catch big gravel lizards and this winter has been no exception.  This fish measured in at 28" and I have already been apart of over 50 lizards over 23" this winter.  I have been on the big fish in a big way.  Every person I have fished with this winter has caught at least one walleye over 23"; many have caught numerous fish over 23" on a single outing.  I have witnessed numerous anglers catch their personal best walleye with me this winter.

I spent last week on Lake Mille Lacs chasing gravel lizards and jumbo perch.  We ended up catching a good #of both species.  My best bite still seems to be on the tip-ups or set lines of some sort.  For the gravel lizards I have two things on the end of my set-lines, either a #2 Pink Gamakatsu Octopus Hook or a Northland Doodle Bug w/ a #4 hook.  I am rigging a med-large golden shiner on the set line rigs.  The other way we are catching fish and most of the perch is jigging.  We are doing tons of ice trolling and producing nice jumbo perch with some lizards mixed in.  I have been jigging a few different things.  Most have been some sort of Northland spoon, whether a buckshot, a macho minnow, or a forage minnow; they have all been working well.  The last thing in my aresnal right now is some sort of vertical jigging presentation.  The three must haves in my box are the Salmo Chubby Darter, the Nils Jigging Shad, or the Rapala Jigging Shad Rap.  All these baits have been working well for me this winter.  Typically I start with something that resembles the forage best.  For me it has been something in perch color and I am tipping it with a minnow head.    

This is one of many nice fish that Eric (Peach) was able to land while on last weeks adventure to Mille Lacs.  I am still booking guide trips for this week and next if you are looking to get out and have a chance at this killer gravel lizard bite.  On guide trips we provide the gear, the bait, and the houses.  All you need to do is get to the lake and get ready to do some catching.  Looking to book groups of 3-6 anglers.  Get a hold of me asap if you want to get out on the ice on either Mille Lacs or the metro, days are becoming limited.  Lake Minnetonka and Lake Waconia both have fishable ice.  

I do have some bad news on the ice report/ice condition front.  Lake Minnetonka ice report/ice conditions is not the best.  The ice I have been fishing is great 6-7" but there are plenty of areas that are not in the best shape.  There are a few areas of open water on the west end of the lake where there was a pressure ridge and now the crack has opened up about 150 yards due to wind and warm temps.  The Lake Waconia ice report/ice condition is still pretty good.  Most of the lake is sitting at about 8-10" of good ice.  There are a few small cracks and areas to look out for, but most are flagged so you should be able to see them.  Please use caution when venturing out on any ice, ice thickness will often vary.