Both Ed & I met at the Portage Lakes Parking lot at 6:30 am. Still dark, we lit up the lanterns and headed onto the ice. The bite was steady till about 8:00 am then slowed considerably. Again, we were catching dinks and no slab gills, crappie or perch.
I decided to venture towards deeper waters and by accident caught this nice 27" channel cat.. 3 lb test, pin min & wax worm. I hollered for Ed and he came over to lend a hand. I asked him to get his gaff...and he eloquently stated he didnt bring his.... I requested he retrieve mine which was about 200yd away. He got it and I slowly brought the fish into view not knowing what species...whether it was a walleye, carp, saugeye, etc...
Ed was barely able to get it thru the 5" hole I drilled. Biggest fish I've landed thru the ice.
My son, Nathan, joined us about the time I brought the cat onto the ice.
As for the panfish.. another disappointing day.. Ed cleaned 16 while I caught 36 and cleaned 8.
As much as Nathan & I searched for the larger fish in deeper waters, we had no luck.
