Ice Fishing

It is now February 15 with light snow falling. Snowmobiling has slowed a bit as the rain created quite a melt. Temperatures are staying below freezing so trails with snow are hard packed and overall ice conditions are good. Fishing in the last few weeks has been at Alligator, Jellison, Hopkins, Parks, Half Mile, Georges and attempts at Middle Branch Bog. Hopkins, even with it two trap limit and special restrictions is very busy. The lack of snow has allowed drivable conditions to the landing and as of yesterday various vehicles were on the ice itself (I am not a big fan of allowing motor vehicles on the ice).

Fishing to say the least has been slow. With four people fishing yesterday at Hopkins, (9yr) Hunter was the only one to get a fish a 13" brook trout.

We were hoping for some perch at Parks, but with the entire family and close to thirty traps - two fish, one pickeral and one perch.

I am not sure if the weather has played a part in the slow fishing, but I am not hearing of any fast action. While two new records were set this year, that of a brook trout and another from brown trout. Activity is slow.

We have tried to save a few buck by trapping our own bait and this is working well.
Depending on the weather a trip to Duck is scheduled.