Jan. 6th LBDN report

[THE BAIT SHOP GUY]

Fished east of Butler's Island in 12 FOW. Didin't land big numbers, but finally got on some better fish tonight. Landed 6 perch and kept 5 in the 8 inch range. Lost at least 8 fish tonight. Started by jigging Rat Finkee's tipped with spikes. Had plenty of bites, but missed them all. Got the first three on a bobber line with a red Northland Fire Eye jig tipped with a 2 inch shiner. Tied a red Fire eye on my jigging line and popped 3 fish right away. Unfortunately, I didn't put 2 and 2 together until just before dark when the bite was almost over.

Had about 4 inches of ice. The first few feet of shoreline at the launch and on either side of the island ar busted up, but easy enough to cross on foot. Looks like things are going to cool down some after this weekend. Let's keep our fingers crossed!

Here's a pic from tonight. Nothing special fish wise but I just couldn't let this sunset go to waste. Good luck if you get out and be safe.

http://http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/529/medium/a11.JPG

[THE BAIT SHOP GUY]

OOPS. Screwed up pic and double post. Please remove.

[FishTales]

Here's your pic, Rich

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/529/medium/a11.JPG

[MSUICEMAN]

pretty cool pic.

[triplehooked]

WOW!!! Is that......ice? :lol: Cool sunset, I'm glad someone is out icefishing.

[Fishcapades]

Thats one of the best icefishing pic's I have seen in a while

[jimhx720]

AWESOME PIC! I am so jealous I can't stand it!

[SPORTSMAN]

Wall hanger fer sure!!!!!:) I mean the picture that is.:D :D

[trainwreck]

Chris, you neglected to mention Escanaba reopened the north shore boat launch yesterday for those who would rather troll.Watch out for the floating ice shacks if your out in your boat!

[JJ Mac]

Wow, what an awesome sunset Chris, right from God's country.

My brother and I fished off of Vagabond Saturday and Sunday last weekend off the break anywhere from 24 to 34 fow. Caught lots of undersized walleye (man was I king of the 14 and 3/4 inchers). I had a few big bombs come in on the vex, but just couldn't get them to take. We wound up with 6 keeper walleyes, a few nice perch, and 3 pike. Hottest baits were #7 jigging raps in glow tiger and chartruese. Made for quite a nice feast of pan fried bacon wrapped kabobs with the gang at Sallmar! We left the ice to stop by your shop and picked up a few sucker minnows for the tip-ups Sunday. It was worth it, my brother popped a fat 25 incher, and was able to claim big fish for the weekend. It rained Sunday, and by night fall there was over 3 inches of water on top of the ice in spots. I slipped twice and smashed both knees and one elbow. Man, I never fall, but that was some greased lightning! Then about 50 feet from shore the ice kept giving way in a foot of water, making dragging the gear in quite an experience.

Glad we went when we did. Seems conditions are not looking too good now. As trainwreck mentioned, guys are probably launching boats again, since the launch was opened. Hmmm...I'll bet I could get my boat and gear back together again in couple hours.........maybe another road trip could happen. :lol:

[THE BAIT SHOP GUY]

Tried to get out again today, but a couple days in the mid 40's have made already thin ice "iffy" at best. Since there was nobody else on the ice, I wasn't going to be the only brave/stupid one out there! I heard that the city cops were at the access after I left, warning people that they would get ticketed if they went out on the ice right now.

Hopefully it gets as cold as they're calling for in the next week and we can get out again by next weekend.

[trainwreck]

What exactly would they write the ticket for? I am being serious. Is there a law saying what the ice conditions have to be in order to be on it?

[Wishn I was fishn]

They cant ticket you for going out on thin ice. So I dont know they would have written a ticket for.

[HOangler]

LBDN is going to get some extra pressure this season with all the ice in the LP being in our home freezers.