Friday evening the temps rose and the bite improved and was ok until the wind started on Saturday and as the barometer rose it slowed down for most.  There were alot of fishermen seeing Walleyes around the Banana.  Gull Reef and Popes also.  So they were in shallow and deeper spots. Saturday night and into Sunday so far most reports as fishermen were leaving were of a slow bite.  A few individual large Walleyes were caught and released overnight.

The Lyback’s/TWP Tournament went well Saturday with about 145 of the 150 showing up for it. Having the weigh-in back in the field was a good move as there was no wind and alot warmer than on the ice.  Fishermen weighed in all four categories: Perch,Walleye, Tullibee, Northern.  Largest Pike was 20.12 lbs, Perch was 1.09lb  Walleye was 2.30lbs, and largest Tullibee was 2.30lbs.   We handed out door prizes to everyone attending.

Fishermen are leaving today and most are getting their houses ready to pull off for the season, although a few are staying one more weekend for Perch, Tullibee and Northern Pike ( Northen Pike has an extended season to the end of March this year.)  I will be leaving some rentals out for that and will be moving them to specific areas for them this week.  Come up and give it a try.  With the weather warming later this week and next weekend looking pretty nice it will be worth the trip!

After March 2nd, unoccupied houses must be removed off the ice overnight, so we will pull the rest of the permanents in just before then. Wheel house owners remember if you are in the house you can stay out overnight.  We will be keeping roads out for wheel houses and portable fishermen well thru March weather permitting.  Check with the report on how it is going.

Keep a Tight Line!!           Eddy

Today the bite picked up in shallow as the weather warmed and barometer dropped. Maybe the moving of rentals is going to work.  Tonight we will find out for sure.

All private customers are plowed out and expected to show up and get their houses ready to pull unless they call by Saturday and make arrangements to stay out one more week. If not we are going to get them ready to pull and get them off the lake and they willed be billed for it.  So either show up or call….your choice.

The last preparations for the Lybacks/TWP Tournament were finished today and we are looking for a good day for it tomorrow.  The wind is going to switch to the NW sometime in the am.   So we are going to have the weigh-in back along the driveway (entrance) to the resort in the field like we have had some of the earlier years. No sense in making contestants stand in the cold and wind to wait for their number to be called.  We are going to have a huge bonfire and plenty of parking for the contestants so it should be a good time.

Tonight we finished bagging the prizes and numbering them and everyone will receive a door prize equal to their entry fee based on retail prices.  Many of the prizes are well over that (From $129.95 to $750.00) so it will be a good finish for the season and also show our appreciation to our customers and those fishing the tournament.

Keep a Tight LIne!!        Eddy

We spent the day getting ready for the weekend. almost every rental got moved to new spots, so we will see if it pays off.  We plowed into all the private houses on one end and opened them up.  I expect all customers to come up and get their houses ready to pull off starting Monday, unless you arranged with the office to stay one more weekend for Perch and Pike.  If you plan on staying up for that it will have to be in shallow water area for Northern or in the “Tullibee Hole”  which means most wanting to stay will have to get them ready to move anyways. I expect all banking to be removed as part of getting them ready or expect to be charged for it if you leave it.

Saturday is our Lyback/TWP Tournament and it is full. (We have a limit of only 150 contestants).  All contestants MUST sign in and register their tickets at the office before they will be eligible to weigh a fish or collect a door prize.  NO EXCEPTIONS!  Tournament hours are 7:00am to 4:00pm.   Weigh station will be open at 2:00pm and weighing fish will STOP at 4:00pm. So weigh your fish earlier than later!!  Everyone will be notified where weigh station will be  when they sign in and register. (We are waiting to see how the wind is going to be Saturday. It might be back on the field along the entrance if too windy. If it is nice weather it will be on the lake.)  There will be a cash prizes for biggest Perch, biggest Tullibee. biggest Walleye, (must be in the slot according to regs), and biggest Northern Pike.  (Cash amount to be determined by what is weighed, if a species is not weighed, prize monies will be split among species weighed.)

For door prizes there are Strikemaster Ice augers, Vexilars, hooded sweatshirts, Lowrance electronics, Sonar phones, Ice wear, coats,  ice gloves, rod and reel combos, tackle boxes,  tackle bags,  Clam portables, drill plates, sweatshirts, long sleeve shirts,  hats. spinning reels, and many other numerous items.  Everyone’s chances are 50/50 to win a door prize well over the value of a ticket. And everyone will get something.

Keep a Tight Line!!    Eddy