January 11, 2010

Hello everyone,
Ice conditions on Lake Vermilion have been excellent so far this winter. Unfortunately the Walleye action has been very poor the last couple of weeks. There have been some good days, however they have been surrounded by many, many long hours of frustration. What started out as a very promising winter season for Walleyes has been anything but.
Many of us have been moving shacks all over Big bay with little difference in the results. I am back in 30ft of water after trying deeper water much of last week. There were some encouraging signs after the cold weather broke but unfortunately it only lasted one day. I am using small glow jigs and spoons tipped with all or part of a fathead minnow. We have also tried shiners and small suckers and at times it seems to make a difference. In the long run however it hasn't made a great deal of difference which minnow you use.
The Pike action has been fairly steady here on the east end. Tip-ups or hair jigs tipped with a medium sucker or frozen smelt, have been catching fish. Deep weed edges and shoreline breaks in 6 to 14ft have been on a steady bite. I have also picked up a few nice pike on the shallow weed flats during the midday hours. I'm looking forward to some better fishing this week as the local weather warms up into the low 30's by midweek. Hopefully all we need is a little January thaw to get the Walleyes back on the bite.
Have a great week everybody, make sure to pick up after yourselves when you're on the ice this week.
Ace