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Fishing Reports
Illinois Fishing Report – Jan. 17, 2020
Fishing with ice jigs under a slip-float can produce some exceptional catches this time of year. Live bait for most species is key. Floating minnows off the bottom on three-way rigs or suspended from a slip float can mean some fair catches of walleyes.
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New York Fishing Report – Jan. 17, 2020
In a year when ice conditions have generally been sketchy, the North Country is probably the safest bet for getting out on the hard water. That said, keep an eye on changing conditions.
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Wisconsin Fishing Report – Jan. 17, 2020
It got cold enough over the past week to freeze much of the slush that was limiting areas that anglers could reach. Lakes across the state still aren’t in the best condition, but there was a lot more fishing activity last week than previously.
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Minnesota Fishing Report – Jan. 14, 2020
Walleye action was probably as good this past week as it has been all winter in many areas, especially during low-light periods. Panfish and northern pike seem to be biting as well.
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Michigan Fishing Report – Jan. 10, 2020
There was no safe ice in southern Michigan, but a few anglers were getting out in open water on Lake Erie, the St. Clair River and Saginaw Bay and enjoying a pretty good walleye bite. Many of the shallower inland lakes in the northern Lower like Houghton were finally frozen over.
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Pennsylvania Fishing Report – Jan. 9, 2020
Wild temperature swings prevented ice fishing in most of the state. Limited ice fishing did occur briefly on lakes in some of the northcentral and northeastern counties in December but a warming trend caused conditions to deteriorate by the end of the month.
Read moreLAKE PROFILES
Illinois Woods & Waters – Pistakee Lake, McHenry/Lake counties
One of the largest bodies of water on the Fox Chain, encompassing 1,700 acres, Pistakee has historically been a wintertime favorite for anglers. Pistakee Bay is one of the few deep spots on the south end of the collection of lakes. The depth here provides a huge wintering pool for multiple species of fish.
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New York Lake Profile – Otisco Lake, Onondaga County
Otisco has a solid reputation for producing tiger muskies, and often big tigers, during both the open-water and ice fishing seasons.
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Wisconsin Lake Profile – Shell Lake, Washburn County
A 2018 DNR fish survey of the popular lake shows that it remains a solid fishery for walleyes, smallmouth bass, and muskies while also offering panfish and largemouth bass opportunities.
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Minnesota Lake Profile – Sugar Lake, Cass County
By most accounts, Sugar Lake near Remer is your typical Cass County bass and panfish lake. Its crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass populations are strong in numbers and feature some quality fish as well.
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Michigan Lake Profile – Big Bass Lake, Lake County
Panfish populations are thriving in Lake County’s Big Bass Lake. Just don’t expect to catch many namesakes. The lake is loaded with small bass under 14 inches, but big bass are tough to come by.
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Ohio Lake Profile – Pike Island Pool, Jefferson County
The Pike Island Pool is the second pool on the Ohio River and starts downstream of the New Cumberland Dam. The pool runs from the dam near Stratton, Ohio to the upstream face of the Pike Island Dam near Yorkville, Ohio.
Read moreReviews, Blogs & Tips
Ice fishing tip: Stuck in one spot? Call the fish to you!
Not marking fish despite working a prime location? Try using flashy spoons or rattle baits to entice more fish into your icy zone.
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Key tool in winter success: vertical jigging spoons
Know which jigging to employ when and you’ll reel in more walleyes and panfish this hard-water season.
Read more![Show-stoppers: 10 ice-fishing products worth checking out [videos]](https://fishingreports.outdoornews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/10Products-418x315.png)
Show-stoppers: 10 ice-fishing products worth checking out [videos]
A pair of shows recently helped kick off the 2019-20 ice-fishing season. Following are 10 new products/interesting products from the two shows.
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