Ice fishing: It’s really beginning – River Valley Outdoors

By BOB LAMB / blamb@lacrossetribune.com

Ice fishing? You have to be kidding.

“Not really,” according to a couple of bait shop operators in the Coulee Region.

While the majority of attention is on the Wisconsin gun-deer hunting season, which ends on Sunday, ice fishermen are beginning to dot backwater bays in search of early-season panfish.

Scott Gartner, at Bob’s Bait and Tackle on French Island, shook his head, adding that as far as he can recall, this must be the earliest “unofficial” ice fishing opener in the La Crosse area.

“It’s the earliest I’ve seen,” he said, adding that guys tiptoed onto the ice as early as last Friday.

“Guys are catching lots of fish, but not a lot of big ones,” Gartner said. “Early and late ice is always the best. They’re catching sunfish, perch, crappies and bluegills, but not a big old batch of fish yet.  Click link below for full story!

Ice fishing: It’s really beginning – River Valley Outdoors.