Fishing Report: Take advantage of panfish opportunities over next few weeks

NORTHERN WISCONSIN – With the game fishing season officially wrapped up as of Sunday night at midnight, the focus now shifts to panfish. There's still plenty of great ice fishing left to enjoy!

While daytime temperatures are beginning to creep into the upper 30s and low 40s on some days, the solid ice base is still holding strong at 22 to 34-plus inches throughout the area. That should keep things safe for fishing in the coming weeks.

As always, be careful of shoreline conditions and any areas with current, like the Chain. And bring an auger extension with you!

Now that the hustle and bustle of the game fishing season is done, it's a great time to target crappie, bluegill and perch without as much pressure on the water.

Crappies are still hanging on the weed edges in six to nine feet of water on the Chain. Anglers are having success with small vertical jigs tipped with waxies or crappie minnows. The bite has been best during the late afternoon and evening, with decent numbers being caught.

Bluegill are being found suspended a little deeper. The bite is steady, with waxies or red spikes on a 32nd oz jig working great for these guys.

The perch bite has been improving, especially in deeper water (15 to 20 feet). If you’re after bigger perch, try fishing deep mud flats with crappie minnows or rosy reds.

The forecast suggests that warmer days are on the way, and we have some interesting weather coming this week, including some possible rain and snow. So far, we’ve only seen slush in some isolated spots, but with this weather, we need to start watching out for more widespread slushy conditions to develop, especially in the afternoons. Morning ice will be firmer, so getting out early is a good bet. Snow cover is light which makes travel easy, but be prepared for wet spots on warmer afternoons.

While game fishing is done, ice fishing season isn’t over yet! The next few weeks should offer some solid panfish opportunities, and with fewer anglers on the lakes, it's a great time to enjoy some quiet time on the ice. Spring will be here before we know it.

Good luck and good fishin'!