This February has been my most successful time for ice fishing. I recently did an ice fishing derby on Park Lake in Bath Twp., Michigan with my friend, Logan. Together, we caught more than 60 fish! On Park Lake, if you fish about 75 feet closer to shore from where everyone else is fishing, you seem to have more success. In my opinion, even though you are closer to shore, you will catch more fish and will still have the same chance as everyone else to catch big crappie, bluegill and perch.
A week after the ice fishing derby, I headed out on a very windy day. The first set of holes we drilled were in water that was too shallow and that didn't have enough weeds to make me interested. Our next spot, however, in about 10 feet of water, got me very excited. As soon as my dad finished drilling the first hole, I dropped in a Northland buckshot rattlespoon and quickly caught a nice bluegill. That fish was to set the score for the day! Throughout my time on the lake, we had constant action with some pretty big bluegills. One of the bluegill was pushing eight inches, which is large for Park Lake. All together, I caught 20 fish during this trip.
Something that I have found this year that has greatly increased my fishing percentages is the use of a spring bobber, that I attach to the end of my pole. The spring bobber detects the subtlest of all bites from panfish, and shows you exactly when to set the hook.
The ice on Park Lake is 16 inches thick, but I can tell the days are getting longer, and I know it will soon be time to be thinking about the pike in the Looking Glass!
