January 31, 2011-Rice Lake, Wisconsin- The recent cold hasn’t slowed down the action on Rice Lake.  The bluegills and crappies have been biting on jigs tipped with waxies and on plastic alone.  Rocker jigs size #10 or 1/32 ball jigs tipped with glow plastic are working well.

 Try to fish 10-12 feet deep near cribs.  The fish are cruising from one crib to another, so more fish will be swimming by your line soon.  Stay a little deeper than usual to avoid the little perch.  If you’re catching bluegills during the day, as the light fades, charge up the plastic for crappies.

 Both the north and south ends of the lake are producing, and some of the cribs on the north end have been marked with a pole that has reflective tape.  I suggest fishing off to the side or between the cribs.  Don’t forget to mark a crib once found for further reference.  Tip-up fishermen have been doing well off of the mouth of the Red Cedar, with four fish this week weighing over 10lbs.

 I was pleased to see one of Rice Lake’s older fishermen get his limit of crappies the old way.  This was without the use of electronics-just a spring bobber and determination -Congratulations!

Frank Zumpf

Sporting Good Manager, Rainbow Home Center

As mid-winter ice fishing slows, bluegill stay active

January 25, 2011—(Rice Lake, WI)—After more than a month of solid ice fishing action, things have slowed down a bit in the Rice Lake area and across the north

As is typical for this time of year, nearly all species of fish have become less active. Bites are lighter. The action is slower. It happens every year.

The good news is that bluegills seem to be biting fairly well. While crappie action has been spotty, bluegills are biting on lakes throughout the Rice Lake area. The fish are biting lightly, but they are biting.

One good trick for attracting and catching more fish is to use two different lures. A good combination is a small fly tied just six or eight inches above a small tear-drop ice fishing jig. The flash of the jig entices fish and the fly appears as an irresistible morsel.

For your best chances at a good day of fishing, target bluegill this week.

Thick ice on nearly all area lakes

January 4, 2010—(Rice Lake, WI)—Ice anglers in the Rice Lake area are now enjoying smooth, solid ice and fairly good fishing.

Bluegills have been biting fairly well. Anglers are reporting limits in some locations. The key is small baits fished with extreme care. The bites have been subtle. The angler who can master bite detection and setting the hook at the right time is going to be successful.

Crappie action has varied greatly. Several anglers have reported limits, although sizes have tended toward the smaller end of the scale.

Walleye action has varied too. The best action seems to have come on tip-ups. Shiners and flatheads both work. But, when action is slow, it doesn’t hurt to use smaller minnows.

Ice conditions are good. The fishing is good. Get out there and enjoy some Rice Lake ice fishing.