Caspian

[Light liner]

Anybody been on caspian last few days?

[TRT]

I fished it a week ago and there was a lot of slush. She had about 6 inches of ice then. 

[Light liner]

Thank you

[fishingidjit]

I'm willing to bet the slush is gone now after this cold snap!

[Chittice]

Anyone have an ice report? Looking to fish on foot tomorrow

[gogetthegaff]

We were there February 6th. Ice varied a lot. Maybe 6" where there was snow and slush. 10" where the slush/snow had frozen. One spot I drilled had only 4". With this warm up I'd be willing to bet it's deteriorated quite a bit since then. I'd be extremely cautious if it were me.

[perch bait]

Hoping to get to Caspian on Sunday. I would appreciate an ice report if anyone has been out recently. Thanks! Looking to fish the northern portion of the lake.

[Chittice]

Hoping to get to Caspian on Sunday. I would appreciate an ice report if anyone has been out recently. Thanks! Looking to fish the northern portion of the lake.

Went yesterday, ice seemed solid everywhere I went other than some really slushy spots and a few little spring holes (biggest was maybe a trash can lid in size). But everywhere I checked had a bunch of useless white/slushy ice on top of some black, it’s just hard to tell where/if there isn’t black ice underneath. Even saw a snowmobile (would not recommend).  I’d suggest sticking to the east shore as you walk from the launch to the north side and check everywhere you go, I wore flotation too. Hard for me to tell how much the ice is deteriorating with just one trip.

[Chittice]

If anyone is out this weekend would appreciate a report. Can’t fish till Monday.

[vtbrookfisher87]

Looking for ice conditions planning making a trip up Monday and doing a over night into Tuesday any info would be greatly appreciated thanks

[Crayfish2]

Perchbait and I were there last Sunday, 2/19.  We were on the north end of the lake and had close to a foot of ice.  It was about 1/2 black and 1/2 white ice, with some spots only having 3-4" of black ice.  It was cold all this past weekend, so I would expect even more ice now.

Be safe and good luck!

[vtbrookfisher87]

Thank you sounds like it will be plenty safe

[vtsynn]

May be up there this weekend, first time on that water, and was wondering if you need 4 wheels on the ice to make it worth it or will 2 feet get you to some depth?  Also, is there a local bait shop.
Thanks

[Crayfish2]

I didn't see any machines on the ice when we were there.  Of course there were only about 5 other groups on the whole lake!  Hopefully there's not much snow on the ice.  Walking will be no problem if the snow blows off.  You don't really have to walk that far, anyway, unless you have a specific structure you want to fish.  I've walked from the beach out to the sunken islands before.  It can be a haul with snow on the ice. 

But, you don't really need much water to catch fish.  Our biggest laker last week came in 4' of water.

Good luck!

[fishingidjit]

Bartlett's bait is your closest shop.

[JMailbox8]

I didn't see any machines on the ice when we were there.  Of course there were only about 5 other groups on the whole lake!  Hopefully there's not much snow on the ice.  Walking will be no problem if the snow blows off.  You don't really have to walk that far, anyway, unless you have a specific structure you want to fish.  I've walked from the beach out to the sunken islands before.  It can be a haul with snow on the ice. 

But, you don't really need much water to catch fish.  Our biggest laker last week came in 4' of water.

Good luck!

Crayfish! Were you fishing in our old spot? How’d you do? Gosh, how long ago was it that we met out there? That was my best day laker fishing.

[Crayfish2]

That was something seeing that fish come up through the hole!  It just kept coming!  Yes, we fished our usual spot.  Caught 7 lakers, but nothing big.  They were all 16 - 21".  Jacob kept a couple for him and his girlfriend to eat, the rest went back down the hole.  We were just east of your old haunt, right on the edge of it.

[JMailbox8]

That was something seeing that fish come up through the hole!  It just kept coming!  Yes, we fished our usual spot.  Caught 7 lakers, but nothing big.  They were all 16 - 21".  Jacob kept a couple for him and his girlfriend to eat, the rest went back down the hole.  We were just east of your old haunt, right on the edge of it.

Glad to hear you had a good outing. It’s funny, I can’t get myself to fish any other spot on the whole lake but that one. I guess if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. But you can pretty much catch lakers anywhere on that lake.

[Vtperchchaser]

I haven’t fished caspian in prob close to 2 yrs! Last time I was there was with a good friend of mine who is no longer with us. We fished not far off the beach jigging with 1/2 smelt on large Swedish pimple and caught several 18-22” lakers. We kept a couple for a meal and rest went back down the hole. Was my first time fishing for lakers and I was like this bait is giant you sure this will work lol then the school came in and it was on. I am curious of the size of the big lakers in there. Anything like the ones in willougby? I know the yellow perch get giant

[fishingidjit]

. . I am curious of the size of the big lakers in there. Anything like the ones in willougby? I know the yellow perch get giant

I have a couple friends that caught 20 Pounders+ in the summer on lead core line ,so there are some good ones in there!

[Vtperchchaser]

My friend who is no longer with us is known for big lakers. We fished caspian a fair amount and there was an old timer who would drag his shack way out deep and run huge smelt and suckers with a dual hook threaded down the side its backbone. He didn’t catch often but when he did it was a giant. I was only 18 and had been perch fishing my childhood and teenage life. Had no clue about tip ups or jigging lakers. Caspian is great. Maybe next season I’ll try it again if the ice is better. Crazy where you’ll catch lakers on that lake

[fishingidjit]

My friend who is no longer with us is known for big lakers. We fished caspian a fair amount and there was an old timer who would drag his shack way out deep and run huge smelt and suckers with a dual hook threaded down the side its backbone.

He was "lacing" the bait. I still do it but the good lacing needles are a thing of the past!

[Vtperchchaser]

Use to be able to buy them at the local bait shop near caspian. Not a treble hook but 2 hooks facing opposite. I had thought about trying to solder hooks to recreate similar set up. I also fish for pike and walleye a lot so thought maybe it would carry over

[vtbrookfisher87]

Are you talking about gorge hooks three pack with bait needle

[Vtperchchaser]

I think so. I don’t recall the brand but believe I may have an old pack from long time ago

[vtbrookfisher87]

I used to use them regularly for laker fishing but they aren’t very forgiving on the fish of you want to release them now I just thread dead smelt suckers and what not on a thinker mono leader with single hook I tell you what though them gorge hooks don’t let go

[mudchuck]

He was "lacing" the bait. I still do it but the good lacing needles are a thing of the past!

Lacing still quite popular with saltwater ballyhoo.

[Vtperchchaser]

I used to use them regularly for laker fishing but they aren’t very forgiving on the fish of you want to release them now I just thread dead smelt suckers and what not on a thinker mono leader with single hook I tell you what though them gorge hooks don’t let go

yes sir they do what they are designed to do. Not let the fish get away. Now days I release the trophy size fish, minus walleye lol

[lowaccord66]

Lacing still quite popular with saltwater ballyhoo.

Only way to do it really.  We buy flats of them.