Finally, It's Ice Fishing Time
by Gary Engberg

Though, there has been ice in much of south central Wisconsin for sometime the ice has been suspect and inconsistent. But, January's cold weather has frozen up most of the bigger lakes and allowed the hardy to get out fishing. The only problem is that the fishing has been up and down on most waters. I spent the last few days checking out lakes and talking to as many knowledgeable anglers as possible. The following is what I found out.

Locals have been waiting for the largest lake in the Madison Chain, Lake Mendota, to freeze over and it finally has. Mendota, all 10,000 acres, holds many species, but in winter the most sought after fish are perch, walleyes, northerns, and bluegills. Last year, was another bad year for ice and the Mendota perch never really bit and those that did were small. The perch have been down the last few years after a very good year in 2000. This year, anglers are off to another late and slow start. I talked to Gene Dellinger, owner of D and S Bait (608) 241-4225 ) and he reported that the bite is changing everyday. Last weekend, there were many limits caught off the " Four Doors " in 72 feet of water. This week, the fishing has slowed with some anglers getting 10 to 15 fish and others just a few. The perch are on the bottom or only a foot above it. Rat finkies and waxies or spikes are the best combinations. The size of the perch vary from 5 inches to 11 inches with most in the 8 to 9 inch range. 

The fish will migrate to other winter areas as the winter progresses. Some other proven perch spots are; the County Park on Mendota's north end. Walk or ride your 4 wheeler ( be sure and have regulation floatations ) out to 50 feet and start looking for fish. One has to drill many holes and have good electronics to see and stay on these roving fish. It's important to have a good auger if you plan on drilling multiple holes (I like Strikemaster and Jiffy augers). The best electronics (flashers) are Vexilar and the new Marcum MK-3. These units allow you to read fish and your jig in the deepest waters. Second Point, Picnic Point, and Governors Island are locations were perch can also be caught. Look for other ice shanties on the lake because this can give you an indication where the perch are biting. Mobility and good electronics are important for perch fishing success. If you see a group of shanties try to fish close, but not too close so the fish aren't spooked.

Walleyes, one of the most prized and edible fish there is, have been tough on Lake Mendota. The walleyes that are being caught are biting at night and very early in the morning. Most anglers are using Frabill or Beaver Dam tip-ups, Stren clear or blue line in 10 to 12 pound test, a VMC or Mustad treble hook, and a golden shiner or fathead minnow. Shiners are costly this year, but well worth it. Another tip to try is using a fluorocarbon line (invisible) for a leader to your treble hook.

The areas to fish for walleyes on Lake Mendota are; the Hatch Cover area from Marshall Park to Pheasant Branch Creek, Dunn's and Brearly Street bars, Picnic Point (on the University Bay side), and Stoney Point.

Northern pike are biting in Warner Bay and University Bay on tip-ups and shiners. Try to find the weedline and put your tip-ups close by and scattered at different depths. Remember, pike have to be 40" to be legal and walleyes 18" to keep. Most northern are caught in less than 15 feet of water. Use a stronger Stren line and a larger treble hook. Some anglers like to use dead smelt, which can be deadly at times.

Bluegills can be caught in many places on Mendota, but now the best spot is 
University Bay in the weedy, shallow areas. A small ice jig, a sensitive HT rod with a spring bobber, and your bait of choice usually do the trick. Also, check out the bays and shallows where you find weeds.

Lakes Monona, Wabesa, and Kegonsa have also had patches of open water till recently. Here is what I've found out on these lakes. Monona has been producing bluegills in Squaw Bay and around the rock points. Lake Wabesa is producing perch in good numbers, but they are in the 5 to 6" range mostly. The walleye bite has been mainly nocturnal. The best spot is to go out from Lake Farm Park to the permanent shanties. The walleyes are good size with some 7-pound fish being caught. Shallower, in 10 to 12 feet of water, some 30 to 35 inch northern pike are being harvested on the lake.. Lake Kegonsa will give some good walleyes and panfish, but I haven't gotten much into yet. 

Contacts; D and S Bait (608) 241-4225 ask for Gene Dellinger or Lee Tauchen. Ron Barefield (608) 838-8756, Travis Richardson (608) 838-9877, or Wally Banfi (608) 644-9823.