Author Topic: Will fishing be like first ice conditions or like mid Jan. conditions? (Read 1394 times)

Greg 49274 · « **on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:37 AM »

It looks like we can finally get on the ice here in southern Hillsdale County this weekend. What should I expect?
Will the fishing be like "first ice" conditions or like mid/late January conditions? Did we miss out on the great early fishing conditions? I usually notice a drop-off around this time if I were to just gage by the calendar.

Don't get me wrong I'll be out there fishing anyway; I am just interested in what you guys perdict. Thanks!

DaveSS1 · « **Reply #1 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:41 AM »

Im going to say that you are probally looking at first ice conditions as the oxygen levels should be high. Cant guarantee the fish will be bite though.

mongo782 · « **Reply #2 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:43 AM »

Greg do you know if the bait store between carpenter and long lake have spikes?

Greg 49274 · « **Reply #3 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:51 AM »

Yes, they absolutely have spikes (Long Lake Party Store 517-283-2932)

chfishon · « **Reply #4 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:53 AM »

Quote from: DaveSS1 on Jan 11, 2012, 10:41 AM

Im going to say that you are probally looking at first ice conditions as the oxygen levels should be high. Cant guarantee the fish will be bite though.

Agree

gbrebory · « **Reply #5 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 10:57 AM »

its gonna be like ice fishing.... cold and fun..... good luck this weekend guys and be safe just cause its gonna be cold doesnt mean its gonna be safe

iluvgillz · « **Reply #6 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 11:20 AM »

First ice, and a fine topic at that!!

mongo782 · « **Reply #7 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 12:34 PM »

Thanks greg good fishing.

RLWagner · « **Reply #8 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 12:54 PM »

It will not be worth going. You should prolly just stay home.

fishybill · « **Reply #9 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 12:57 PM »

Fish deep the panfish will be schooling out over the deep basin

wax_worm · « **Reply #10 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 05:54 PM »

Quote from: fishybill on Jan 11, 2012, 12:57 PM

Fish deep the panfish will be schooling out over the deep basin

If the lake has no weeds this may be the case, but since the lakes have been open the weeds are still getting sunlight and should thriving. Until the light gets cut off from the snow cover, the fish should be near the live weeds for oxygen, cover and forage that also uses the weeds. If you normally fish near weeds first ice, I would start there and move out if they fish are not cooperating.

Icefisher40 · « **Reply #11 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 06:17 PM »

Youre lucky if you have ice in Hillsdale!

Fishurman63 · « **Reply #12 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 07:13 PM »

that is exactly what I was thinking too.......

Swedish Pimp · « **Reply #13 on:** Jan 11, 2012, 07:35 PM »

Should be more like Mid Jan. conditions. Been fishing from the boat and not picking up much green weeds. There are some still down there but they are limited. The fish seem to be scattered or maybe in transition right now. Fished a bunch of early and mid winter spots last weekend for gills and they were nowhere to be found. Most or the channels and smaller lakes have been iced over for some time. This means that the oxygen levels in these area have already begun to crash. Find some green weeds and you should be good.

kcskypilot · « **Reply #14 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 06:03 PM »

Quote from: Swedish Pimp on Jan 11, 2012, 07:35 PM

Should be more like Mid Jan. conditions. Been fishing from the boat and not picking up much green weeds. There are some still down there but they are limited. The fish seem to be scattered or maybe in transition right now. Fished a bunch of early and mid winter spots last weekend for gills and they were nowhere to be found. Most or the channels and smaller lakes have been iced over for some time. This means that the oxygen levels in these area have already begun to crash. Find some green weeds and you should be good.

I made my own green weeds out of garland from the Christmas clearance isle at Walmart.

swampbuckster · « **Reply #15 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 06:30 PM »

Quote from: wax_worm on Jan 11, 2012, 05:54 PM

If the lake has no weeds this may be the case, but since the lakes have been open the weeds are still getting sunlight and should thriving. Until the light gets cut off from the snow cover, the fish should be near the live weeds for oxygen, cover and forage that also uses the weeds. If you normally fish near weeds first ice, I would start there and move out if they fish are not cooperating.

All the weeds in front of my dock are brown and dead as can be. I am not sure how much the snow cover and sunlight theory has to do with weed growth. I'm wondering if it has more to do with water temp and amount of daylight per day for water weed growth..? Think of deciduous trees and plants. They too just die off because of lack of sunlight? I don't believe so.

Swedish Pimp · « **Reply #16 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 07:08 PM »

Quote from: kcskypilot on Jan 12, 2012, 06:03 PM

I made my own green weeds out of garland from the Christmas clearance isle at Walmart.

The reason you are looking for green weeds is because of higer oxygen. Not cover.

kcskypilot · « **Reply #17 on:** Jan 12, 2012, 09:14 PM »

Quote from: Swedish Pimp on Jan 12, 2012, 07:08 PM

The reason you are looking for green weeds is because of higer oxygen. Not cover.

True for now but by end of February they'll work beautifully on the flats for perchin'.

Fishurman63 · « **Reply #18 on:** Jan 13, 2012, 07:47 AM »

I think it will be like mid January conditions with first ice! I'm just saying

Greg 49274 · « **Reply #19 on:** Jan 16, 2012, 12:32 PM »

Fishing is like first ice.
Here in southern Hillsdale County I finally got out in the channel; I still can not get on the Lakes. I tried to go out on Sat. and Sun. and the spud went thru on the first throw every time.

News:

Author Topic: Will fishing be like first ice conditions or like mid Jan. conditions? (Read 1394 times)