Yesterday, there were a few fishermen out. Some got into the Perch, and lots of them got into the shallow basins. The majority were small, but 10″-12″ Perch were occasionally mixed in, and with the limit at five since Feb 9th, most got their meal.  Walleye continue to run on the small side during the day, in both deep and shallower water. But more and more larger Walleye are showing up shallow. This morning, one of the rental workers went out early for some fishing and C/R a 27″ Walleye, before coming in to help cut down the pressure ridge that “pushed” again overnight.

From reports on Sunday from the fishermen on the shallow reefs, something is changing—most of the fishermen reported the bottom covered with small Perch and an occasional Walleye cruising through them. Northern Pike are moving back as well.  The next week should be interesting.

The warmer weather is changing the snowpack out there (what little there is). Drifts are getting softer, the exposed ice is very slippery, and cleats are recommended as well.

Permanent and wheelhouse need to check in at the off-ice and settle their accounts, this weekend when they come up. The long-range forecast is for “significant” snow next Thursday, the 19th, with strong NW winds and a possibility of “heavy snow” on Monday, Feb 23rd. I will be watching the weather closely as we approach this weekend. Depending on what they are forecasting then we might be pulling the plug early. After going this far with out a major snow storm, it would be nice to get the majority back in the lot while the getting is good. We’ll see… it might all be a false alarm as I don’t necessarily trust forecast this far out. but when four of the more reliable forecasters start talking the same thing it’s worth thinking about.

Eddy