Pay Dirt

What can I say....I hit the "pay dirt"!  I spend endless hours and many days over the past 20 years mining for "gold" in December and I was handsomely rewarded this week with 2 giant gravel lizards.  This was the first of the 2 fish I landed on #2 gamakatsu octopus hooks tipped with a golden shiner.  The fish were in a rather negative mood so we opted to set down the jigging rods and let the set lines/tip-ups do our work.  As you can see that adjustment worked out great.  

This was the 2nd good fish I was able to catch and release on Lake Mille Lacs on the very same day.  This fish measured in at 27.5".  It was a beautiful fish that also fell victim to the plain orange #2 hook tipped with a golden shiner.  This fish didn't have near the girth of the first fish but still put up a great fight.  

Most the areas we have been fishing on Lake Mille Lacs have 3-6" of ice.  With the cold temps coming in tonight for the next few nights I assume we will have the wheel houses parked on fish in the next couple days.  But for now we have just been using 4 wheelers and clam portables.  I will be running trips every day next week and will have more fish and ice reports to come.  Until next time, grab your rod and stretch the string!  Fish On!