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Indiana => Ice Fishing Indiana => Topic started by: Motley14 on Jan 15, 2019, 05:34 AM

Title: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 15, 2019, 05:34 AM
Any updates around valpo or Laporte on ice. Going to try to drive around this evening.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 15, 2019, 06:58 AM
Going to drive by this evening.   But I heard pine In Laporte had skim at least
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: dfishman on Jan 15, 2019, 12:13 PM
Loomis was 50% skim on Sunday.  Today it is all locked up.  Probably  a few more  days before it will be ready for fishing.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: hounds on Jan 15, 2019, 02:35 PM
Thanks for the report. ;D
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 15, 2019, 02:57 PM
Just  drove by loomis at lunch nowhere near ready but the best of the chain. Flint is less than 1/2 inch even by shore. And still open in parts. I didn’t attempt to look at long but looked locked up but very early in process. Heard lake George in Hobart May be locked up pretty good?  Never fished there?  Anyone else?
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: MisterIzzo on Jan 15, 2019, 03:37 PM
Sunday:
Long: Completely open.  No ice.
Loomis:  75% - a couple of open holes

Monday:
Long: Locked up.  That was fast!
Loomis:  Locked up.

Just in time before today's winds.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Spooled85 on Jan 15, 2019, 04:15 PM
Lake George can be a fun lake to fish but don't eat anything out of it !
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: hounds on Jan 15, 2019, 07:49 PM
Drove by it this weekend and it looked wide open on the north side.  Cant imagine its close to ready.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: dfishman on Jan 16, 2019, 07:38 AM
Is the walleye stocking still happening on flint and Loomis every year?
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 16, 2019, 05:07 PM
It has not happened on flint for a while that I know of. I do think it happened on loomis a few years ago. But I could be wrong.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Jig_Head on Jan 16, 2019, 05:16 PM
Just left Loomis. 1.5" in the front cove and 1" in front of the beach
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: northrn-duck-assassin on Jan 16, 2019, 05:50 PM
Checked a lake on the wayg hime from work. Locked up, but only 2 inches of aoft ice at the access. Waiting on some better temps
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: FOOTDOC on Jan 16, 2019, 10:19 PM
In response to the walleye stocking on Flint and Loomis, 1500 walleyes were stocked in these two lakes on December 3, 2018.   The supplier was Richmond Fisheries out of the Janesville, Wisconsin area.  Richmond fisheries is the same outfit that stocks Wolf Lake for perch America each year.  The fish purchased this year were 4-6" in length and very healthy in appearance.  They were $1.50 each and in the last 10 years or so, I think we may have missed one or two years.  So, we have pumped a lot of walleyes in these two lakes.   I cannot tell you the exact number in each lake as they scoop them out of the tanks on the trucks and try to eye ball the number in each lake.  Over the years, I hear more reports of people catching them at Loomis but occasionally hear of stories from Flint.  People who fish, know these fish are alive and well in these lakes and I think tend to keep it a bit hush.  These stockings are always done properly with the proper state permits and the proper veterinary examination and documentation.  Your welcome... enjoy and don't be afraid to give back to the community...
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Jeffro on Jan 16, 2019, 10:32 PM
Thanks FOOTDOC! Your efforts and commitment are amazingly generous and those of us that realize what you do are very thankful. I know the "thanks" is not why you do it, which makes it even more appreciated.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Tim Burr on Jan 17, 2019, 05:01 AM
Motley, there are a few easier hidey holes to fish in that area. The brick quarry across the street from the lake, and Deep River ponds,oops, there goes a couple local secrets. Just felt I had to give something back for all the info I ease drop on here.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 17, 2019, 07:54 AM
Thanks Tim. I heard there is also a lake on south side over by the horse farms that is accessible.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: denhar on Jan 17, 2019, 07:35 PM
Flint this AM had 1.5 by my pier. open hole in middle.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 18, 2019, 10:38 AM
Long lake is 1-2 in at boat ramp.  Channels look open or real slushy

Flint didn't check thickness still some open spots.   At channel by Beach is open, and then usual waterfowl spot out in the center is still open.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: erikschultz99 on Jan 18, 2019, 11:02 AM
Really curious to see what this Sunday will do to our ice condition. It shouldn't have a problem locking everything up this weekend.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 18, 2019, 11:11 AM
Agreed
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 18, 2019, 11:49 PM
checked flint bear launch and still less than 1.5” this evening and slushy. Still no snow around here as of 11 pm so we will see maybe fingers crossed we get lucky.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 19, 2019, 02:40 PM
Flint is looking the least promising.   Long is looking a lil better.  But Loomis so far has the best.   

NONE OF IT IS SAFE however.   So be patient and just wait till we have some good hard safe ice.   No fish is worth your life. 
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: denhar on Jan 20, 2019, 10:05 AM
Flint is weird. 2inches frozen slush water under that then 1.5 solid ice. 10 feet from there almost nothing. NOT SAFE
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: fishersofmen on Jan 20, 2019, 10:46 PM
In response to the walleye stocking on Flint and Loomis, 1500 walleyes were stocked in these two lakes on December 3, 2018.   The supplier was Richmond Fisheries out of the Janesville, Wisconsin area.  Richmond fisheries is the same outfit that stocks Wolf Lake for perch America each year.  The fish purchased this year were 4-6" in length and very healthy in appearance.  They were $1.50 each and in the last 10 years or so, I think we may have missed one or two years.  So, we have pumped a lot of walleyes in these two lakes.   I cannot tell you the exact number in each lake as they scoop them out of the tanks on the trucks and try to eye ball the number in each lake.  Over the years, I hear more reports of people catching them at Loomis but occasionally hear of stories from Flint.  People who fish, know these fish are alive and well in these lakes and I think tend to keep it a bit hush.  These stockings are always done properly with the proper state permits and the proper veterinary examination and documentation.  Your welcome... enjoy and don't be afraid to give back to the community...
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: fishersofmen on Jan 20, 2019, 10:48 PM
i'm the veterinarian foot doc is referring to...so bring all your walleye over to my home and i will inspect them for nutritional quality
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: fishersofmen on Jan 21, 2019, 03:43 PM
pretty sure a dog drowned on flint lake today...several rescue crews were at the launch area and the open area in the middle had a dog in it and when the rescue crews were there it disappeared...while all that was happening there was one tent off to the right ice fishing...there was also two guys on loomis in the narrow area that freezes first...they had two gills
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: wallin on Jan 21, 2019, 05:08 PM
Thank You Foot Doc, see you soon.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: shantyking on Jan 21, 2019, 05:21 PM
Thank you it all helps.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: frog eyes on Jan 21, 2019, 06:40 PM
How thick was the ice at Loomis?

I saw a couple of guys on Long that seemed to be walking all over the North end without a spud. Don't know much more as I didn't get out of the car.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 21, 2019, 06:47 PM
I was out there Sunday on Long north end didn't venture around to much tho.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Jan 22, 2019, 11:10 AM
I am surprised after two days of good cold we still do not have much ice at least around valpo. Checked two lakes this am and both had 3 or less where I checked flint barely had 2 where I checked by the launch.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 22, 2019, 11:18 AM
Flint hasn't been to good on the ice making this year.   I didn't find the i in long or loomis to bad rn but we will see after today and tomorrow how well it is going
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: fishersofmen on Jan 22, 2019, 06:24 PM
How thick was the ice at Loomis?

I saw a couple of guys on Long that seemed to be walking all over the North end without a spud. Don't know much more as I didn't get out of the car.
loomis was 2-3"....just in the first area that freezes first....
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: denhar on Jan 23, 2019, 06:33 AM
Fished Tuesday AM 2.5 inches ice. still open in middle. No fish.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 23, 2019, 06:57 AM
Hopefully it gets supper cold tonight n freezes up all this rain before it has a chance to honeycomb to much of the ice that was made
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 26, 2019, 08:29 AM
Anyone got an update on the Valpo chain specifically long
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Shantyjigger on Jan 26, 2019, 09:37 AM
Went there last night. 5”-6” throughout
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 26, 2019, 09:42 AM
Thx Hoping to be back in town early enough tomorrow to hit it
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 26, 2019, 11:01 AM
Was out this morning bite was slow but I managed.   Was out in North East part of the lake by the island and channels
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Bottom_Bouncer on Jan 29, 2019, 09:21 AM
Anyone been out or thinking about going this afternoon? Pine in Laporte lost a couple inches of ice since Sunday
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 09:39 AM
I planning on going out after I get off work over at long
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Bottom_Bouncer on Jan 29, 2019, 10:03 AM
Sounds good. It’s been awhile since I’ve fished long. Do you head to the power lines or stay around the boat launch? It’s been 2 years but always would do good across from the boat launch in 12ftow around the channel to Canada lake
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 10:20 AM
Half way down towards power lines 18fow do ok on night bite
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 10:46 AM
But tonight I will probably stay closer to launch
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: hookitNcookit on Jan 29, 2019, 11:27 AM
Wow 25 below zero or worse tonight you are a true beast!! Haha
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 11:34 AM
I’ve done -35 wind chill once and that wasn’t in an insulated shanty with a buddy now I have a better shanty and heater so I should be alright gotta get while I can 😁
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: hookitNcookit on Jan 29, 2019, 11:39 AM
No doubt and good luck!
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 29, 2019, 01:26 PM
I might try tonight if I can get away from the mrs
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Big Buck on Jan 29, 2019, 04:51 PM
Good luck fellas be careful out there!
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 05:11 PM
Be out in about 45
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Bottom_Bouncer on Jan 29, 2019, 06:31 PM
Ended up going out to Long around 11am - 230. Ice was holding up good. It actually was a great day to get out. Headed toward the power lines. Gills were in 16fow, a foot off the bottom. Only were hitting bright tungsten jigs. Couldn’t even feel the bight, they were sittin an suckin. Saw fish all day and managed to land a dozen decent eaters

(https://i.postimg.cc/xJ9gKB63/6-BA80122-A2-CB-4-EB3-A0-FA-072-F6-FCCD217.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/xJ9gKB63)
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Jan 29, 2019, 08:23 PM
Nice one bottom bouncer.   N I know it's been a tough bite this year.  Git a few food perch on a light bite n crappie as well.   Only had 2 smash the lure this year
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Jan 29, 2019, 11:06 PM
Was out on long for a few hours and only caught a dozen dink crappie they all went back
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Millertime122 on Feb 01, 2019, 03:19 PM
Anyone been to Long recently? Planning on heading out late tonight and fishing through the morning. Are they still towing people on the street?
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 01, 2019, 04:19 PM
I’ll be out there when I get off work as well they were biting good late last night
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: icecrappie on Feb 05, 2019, 11:58 AM
Any info on ice conditions been working haven't been able to get out and check hoping to go tonight long or Loomis?
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 05, 2019, 12:04 PM
Loomis wasn’t to bad last night soft edges but only top 2” was crap didn’t check long last night but Sunday night it was not looking very good
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: icecrappie on Feb 05, 2019, 12:19 PM
Thanks for the info greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Feb 05, 2019, 01:37 PM
Hopefully it last otherwise I'm on a trip to northernish Michigan in a week or so
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 05, 2019, 02:43 PM
I am heading to northern Michigan president weekend
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Feb 05, 2019, 04:11 PM
Next weekend or the weekend of the 23rd n 24th?
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 05, 2019, 05:03 PM
Leaving 15th coming back 17th
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Feb 05, 2019, 05:28 PM
Just checked long still decent surprising of weather conditions.  But picked this all up within 50ft or so of the trash can was alot more than that I picked up as well.

Seen a few on Flint n loomis fishing.


(https://i.postimg.cc/HVfFDmBh/IMG-20190205-172210462.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/HVfFDmBh)
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 05, 2019, 05:34 PM
Getting ready to head out to loomis
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Feb 05, 2019, 05:36 PM
Good luck and be careful man. Hopefully the ice is holding up everywhere. Let us know how you do. 
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Jig_Head on Feb 07, 2019, 01:05 PM
I hit Loomis Tuesday the 5th. Edges were gone and had to walk down the pier at the beach to get on and off. Ice was about 4 inches and slick as snot once you got out there. Got about a dozen crappie, most were very small didn't even keep any. Picked up 5 empty beer bottles, a beer can, and a can of Vienna sausage.....all in the same general area. That crap pisses me off
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 19, 2019, 12:18 AM

(https://i.postimg.cc/2qNXQNND/5-BC698-CD-BB24-4-EAF-9574-551-ADF12906-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2qNXQNND)



Not a limit but still a good night
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Iceman4521 on Feb 19, 2019, 06:02 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/2qNXQNND/5-BC698-CD-BB24-4-EAF-9574-551-ADF12906-A.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2qNXQNND)



Not a limit but still a good night

I was there last night from like 4:30-7:15 and managed ) keeper crappie the rest were dinks most came from dead stickin a crappie minnow
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: CrappieJigger29 on Feb 19, 2019, 11:42 PM
Well it's not a limit and the bite was tough.   Just finding then was a bit tough but still managed to get a good handful of slabs topside.   

N talk about teamwork, fighting to get them off the bottom and getting the attention to bite was hard enough.  Or pick up the ones the other missed the strike on.

All in all just another great time on the ice with good friends and good laughs.  Sad the season looks jot so good in the near future.  But I'm glad to have met a few ice shanty members this year. 


Mpyromike this was a great team crappie beat down on some fish that were glued to the bottom and bot wanting to bite at all till we fished side by side.   Especially when the window before they started to bite n shutdown was about 45 min.  N still a tough time to fish. 
(https://i.postimg.cc/56d8fN1f/IMG-20190219-233437804.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/56d8fN1f)

(https://i.postimg.cc/bd2QXS76/IMG-20190219-233449181.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bd2QXS76)
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 20, 2019, 12:08 AM



I got out about 730 and stayed until midnight the bit started hot but died out when the clouds rolled in only the 9 keepers but caught about 20 total when including dink’s
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 20, 2019, 12:15 AM
Tonight was a good night for a team crappie beat down, to bad we didnt dig ice graves for a few more.  It has been a fun season meeting some of the guys and have a good times-laughs!
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 22, 2019, 04:33 PM
Anyone know how soft
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: Motley14 on Feb 22, 2019, 04:37 PM
Just drove by flint and ice looked it was just covered with water for the most part in main areas. I am sure it will firm up some tonight but I think our ice may be done.
Title: Re: Valpo chain
Post by: mpyromike on Feb 22, 2019, 04:52 PM
I was out last night and it wasn’t bad just a little soft maybe top .5” from snow melt and it firmed up when I got off at 1030.  I’ll be out at some point tonight