Don't give up on the deep channel until you have checked out most of it, very early, late and midday. Oxygen is a serious consideration late January and February but heavy rain and warm weather will change that in March. Fish in 10' depth will also suspend in top 10' in deep water. Soon they will begin to think about spawning shallows but even than they will move back and forth from shallow to deep water. Most weed beds are now flat on the bottom but crappie and blue gill will prowl the edges near drop offs. I like to use tipups and tiny golden shiners (pin arks) to locate fish while I drill holes and look for fish with the flasher.
I hope I'm right because I just got a call from a friend in southern NH and he has been jigging up lots of crappie and big blue gill on small pimple tipped with worm. They are in 10'-15' of water. I'm going to bring my 41/2" hand auger and puts in lots of holes deep and shallow. He says he catches 3 or 4 fish in a hole and than has to move to another hole.
First time ponds are a learning experience. Don't give up covering more ice because of just one fish caught on weeds. If your not marking numbers of fish on the flasher you need to continue searching.
Good Luck
Dick
