Had a rough start to my morning yesterday.  Went to put my junk shanty in the car after it ran for 20 minutes and all doors except the driver side were froze tight.  I instead loaded my small sled and gear through the door and headed west.  Got bait and on the ice by 730~.  

Went over to North Fork first and tried for eyes and crappie.  Drilled around looking for marks but only found dirty water.  Fished for 3 hours only marking some high crappie who weren't willing so decided to move across the island to fish for gills for a while.

Fished for another few hours, drilled around and finally settled down over some marked on the edge of the pads.  Had lots of small fish with only some keepers.  Bite was soft and slow for sure.

Last stop was Blackhawk.  Only two other vehicles there and I didn't see them so I figured they were back at Lucy's.  I was still setup for gills so started there.  Caught a few more keepers with a big one just over 10".  Moved and tried jigging for eyes.  Few lookers but didn't hook up.

Ice Conditions at Blackhawk were alright.  It was making ice the entire time I was out there and being the only one there a few pressure cracks spooked me a little.  There is a big crack way out front with shove ice but otherwise seemed fine.  Just check your own ice if you go.

Good luck

Went out of Fairfield with the rest of Columbus it seemed this afternoon.  Had my 3yr old with me and we headed out with the shanty, little buddy heater, some snacks and our gear.  Drilled 3 holes, had minnows/jig and minnow on in 2 and jig and spike in the other.  Caught a few crappie with the biggest 12.5", a few gills with the biggest was right at 9", a wiper, and one keeper saugeye late.  Lots of fun but my little guy tried my patience some and we lost a few because dad was trying to let him set the hook and reel them in.  He did catch the big gill though which was pretty cool.

I wish I lived closer to Buckeye!

Just curious if anyone got out on the ice at Indian today?  I would think it's probably decent at the normal early spots but it's hard to tell and since I'm close to an hour away I wanted a heads up before I make the drive.

Thanks!

Went to Indiana and fished some hard water this weekend with my brother.  We slayed big crappie and gills both Saturday and Sunday mornings.  The crappie were especially active right at daylight both days.  I was using an ice fly with no bait fishing in 20 feet of water.  They would come in about 4-10ft and just hammer the fly.  The gills were stacked up down low and weren't quite as big overall but we managed 2 10" fish the first day.  The crappie were all between 11"-14".  The picture was Saturdays fish. 

Anyone seen the new Rapala Snap Rap?
The colors look pretty good but I wonder how different they are going to be from the original raps.

So first off Happy New Year to all of you.  Secondly, I've made a decision to fish this weekend no matter how far I have to drive north.  My wife has plans that don't involve me so I am free the entire weekend and just need a place to get out.

If anyone has any plans after we see how the ice is going to form and the forecast for the rest of the week let me know if you want to get out.  Friday looks like the warmest day for the next couple of weeks but hopefully the weather man is wrong.

What's your favorite colors, besides the one the fish are biting on, for the lakes you fish most often?  I know there are studies that say certain fish respond to certain colors under certain light conditions but what are your go to colors?

Guys I just wanted to say I appreciate all of the help you guys have given me this ice season.
I recently got another tip on Alum that I have yet to put to good use but will be as soon as I can get back on the ice.  I don't know about the saugeye but the crappie have been biting pretty good right after dark.  I hope I don't ruin things for some people but I figured I would just give you all a heads up on this.

They have been scattered throughout the water column but if you put a jig right in their face, with or without a minnow tipped on it you should catch them.