Has anyone driven by or checked ice down towards Jamestown or the dam?  Thinking about making the trip tomorrow and would like to look at some spots I marked over the summer.  It's a 90 min. drive though and which way I come is determined by whether it's N or S end f the lake.
Thanks!

It was a nice first trip to DC for me, thankfully the spot we hit was out of the wind.  Not sure if the bigger fish moved out during the warmup.  There was a bit of open water on the edges around the shoreline and a few trees were not frozen next to them, sure that's all better now.  Looking forward to trying more spots out there.  It's a big lake to try and narrow down in one trip.  Pleasure to fish with you Strong. 

Strong,
Shot you a PM w/ my ph#.  I'm game.

Whenever I get a day pass to go fishing, it is usually followed by a night in the kitchen making dinner.  I love to cook so here is tonights recipe.  We just had perch fry the other night so wanted something different.  This only takes about 45 minutes and 15 of that was spent folding laudary while the mixture chilled in the freezer.

1 lb. crappie fillets, (8-12 depending on size)
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup mayonaise
2 eggs
1 Tbsp. Penzey's Northwoods seasoning
2 tbsp. butter
1/4-1/2 cup oil to coat skillet
Salt and pepper to taste.

Clean rinse and dry fillets. (I layer them in paper towels until they do not soak through when pressed against the counter with an open hand)
Melt butter and place fish in skillet, salt and pepper to taste.  Cook for about 3 minutes per side until fish turns white and flakes easily.  Be careful not to brown the fish.  When it is done, it will be difficult to remove from the skillet without braking apart.  Put aside in a bowl, butter and all.

Mix together Mayo, spices and eggs until consistant. Add 1/2 cup breadcrumbs.  The mixture should be about the consistancy of pancake batter.   

Use a fork to break up the cooked fish, then stir the fish into the above mixture.  It will be a little runny, add more breadcrumbs until it begins to stick together.   Place completed mixture in freezer, log into IFO, open a beverage or fold laundary like I did. 
After 10-15 minutes, mixture will have firmed up a bit and the breadcrumbs will have absorbed any excess liquid.  Add enough oil to the skillet you prepared the fillets in to coat the bottom.  Form batter into patties with your hands, a little will stick to your hands but you should be able to hold them together enough to place in the skillet.  Place in skillet on medium heat, turn at 5 minutes or when they begin to brown.  After 5 minutes on ther second side, they should be done. 
Serve with your preferred sauce or eat as fishburgers etc. 
Yields 6-8 cakes depending on size.

Hope you enjoy, they are good enough that I got another pass to go catch more crappies this weekend

I'm definately in for that, branching out and trying new lakes and areas this year.  I moved to Akron from Cleveland so there are many more oppotunities less than an hour away.  Crossing fingers and toes that this next ice lasts more than a few days.  Its been hard to check out unknown lakes and areas given the conditions and my times I can get out.  By my recollection, 4 rainy warm weekends in a row.  Looks like we'll at least break that trend this week.

And you my friend are the reason I included the 10+ category.  DOn't worry you probably won't be alone by the end.  Although I did feel somewhat inadequate while driving home

You are well on your way...
Additions, micro plastics with 1/64 to 1/100 ball head jigs, just started playing with them this year but others will testify to their success for panfish.  I had some good experience on late season open water with them.

If panfish are the goal, the smallest and second smallest vibe or comparable blade baits (I like the old cicadas and they are relatively inexpensive) have produced good crappies and perch, or occassionally will draw them in close enough to pick up on a jig n waxie or maggot. 

Chain syle jigs which are a long slender jig with a chain and a hook below it.(Hali or others)   Just a few, you don't need 20 of them.  They tend to hold a minnow in place without messing with floats, or a minnow head, plastic, waxie etc.  They can be jigged as an attractor and I like to fish them on a rod soft enough that they load the tip when deadsticked so you can see the minnow swimming.  Any bite loads the rod and its almost like a  dropshot, reel up without setting the hook hard if that makes any sense. And the fish can't swim up and be undetected like they can on a float.