Pike and Panfish Biting in Rice Lake

Drilling through deep snow has its rewards

December 28, 2010—(Rice Lake, WI)—Anglers who have ventured out onto area lakes this past week have found some action. Both northern pike and panfish have been biting.

Pike have been caught on tip-ups. Large shiners have been an effective bait. A good technique for locating fish is setting tip-ups in a line, with each tip-up over a different depth. When you get a strike, you can move tip-ups to maximize your chances of success. The excellent forage base of area lakes produces some real trophies.

Bluegills have been biting fairly well. Look for fish in 10 to 15 feet of water. One of the keys to success in bluegill fishing is getting your lure right back into the water after you unhook a fish. Big bluegills like to travel in small schools, and any dallying will greatly reduce your chances at catching another fish before the school moves on. Getting your jig right back down to where the fish are is crucial for success.

Get out there this week and enjoy a pretty decent early winter bite.