Fished Portage Lakes with my son, Nathan & a fellow icer,(Ed), who've we've ice-fished together for 40+ years. Needless to say, both Ed and I are getting older and the treks to & from our ice fishing spots are getting much, much longer & tougher and strenuous. I can;t believe I'm getting "so winded" on such a short 1/4 mile trek.

For the very first time, I had to wear spectacles (glasses) in order to see properly. (What a pain in the arse. I sympathize with those having to wear them). Granted, they are the cheap kind you buy at Marcs or Dollar Store, but it shows how time passes and the once sharp eyes & nimble fingers aren't what they were years ago.

Back to fishing.... We had steady afternoon activity. We fished till dark. Ed caught 41 and took home 17, Nathan only fished for an hour, then "nature called" and he high-tailed it home for a bathroom call. I took home 38 gills & 1 nice crappie... Cleaned 26.... Not huge monsters, but nice gills and 1 very nice crappie.  

The panfish had wonderful coloration, beautiful fin development,and no cysts/nematodes/or parasites in them..The fillets were nice & thick... which is a good indication of overall food source & availability and fish species health.

Best day so far on the ice. Can't wait to get out again.

Ice Fishing activity continued to increase this week with ice fisherman hitting all areas including: Valley Rd, Boathouse, South of St Rt 422 and both sides of the St Rt 44 Boatlaunch.

Catches have been very spotty with a few walleye, decent gills, white perch, small yellow perch and small crappie.

For the first time this ice fishing season, there were a handful of guys fishing out from the St Rt 44 Boat Launch on Saturday afternoon.  I didnt get the opportunity to talk to them, so I can't give you a catch report.

...Hit Turkeyfoot after work for 2 hrs today, Friday 1/14.   Steady action, caught 15 and kept 9

No biggies or nothing to brag about. It was nice to have some continuous action.

I was the only one on the ice.

Anybody ever install "Non-Skid Adhesive Strips" to the interior bottom floor of their shanty in order to prevent gear from sliding around?

Curious as to its adhesive capability in frigid weather and overall durability.

Nate only brought 4 fish home on Saturday, but all quality fish.

Only 1 shanty on the ice.. South Side of St Rt 422.  Water level  rose since the heavy rains of last Saturday, shoreline broke open, but refroze.  Water level is at dam crest

Here's a nice bull bluegill caught by my son, Nathan on Jan 6, 2011