Day 285 1-28-2010 Thr 80 to go

Day 285-80 to go
1-28-10 Thr
10:30AM-5:00PM

Weather: N9, clear, 6°, 30.52 falling (12:53PM)

Water conditions: 639.7' steady, 20.2kcfs, slightly cloudy, 20" ice (Pool 7)
5.08' steady, 24.8 kcfs, clear, 20" ice (Pool 8)

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 7- Lake Onalaska (weed flats)
Mississippi R, Pool 8 - French Slough

Caught

1. Bluegills (30) 4-8", orange ice jig
2. Pumpkin seed 7", orange ice jig
3. Large mouth bass 14", orange ice jig
4. Crappie 10", Lil Cecil

partners

None

Comments

What a day of fishing on my day off! I had planned on taking my airboat out to do a little exploring, but it was just too cold for a boat ride.
Plan two was to explore the weed flats of Lake Onalaska by truck. My exploration was a little unorthodox; I would drill a hole next to the drivers door, get back in the truck and lower the camera into the underwater world from the comfort of my truck. It took about ten holes and a half-mile distance to find what I was looking for: fish!
The fish were quite active, and I caught and released a good number of dandy size gills. If you look closely at the picture of the bluegill you can even see a bluegill in the camera. The aquatic world did not have just bluegills parading around below me. I saw a good number of bass and an occasional northern with an attitude. I actually had two different northerns repeatedly bump my fish camera with their mouths. I even snagged one by the fin, but with one powerful sweep of its tail it was gone and so was my jig!

Day 284 1-27-2010 Wed 81 to go

Day 284-81 to go
1-27-10 Wed
5:00PM-5:50PM

Weather: W14, mostly cloudy, 12°, 30.08 rising

Water conditions: 5.1' falling, 26.1kcfs, clear, 20" ice

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 7- Lake Onalaska (Half Way Creek)

Caught

1. Nothing

partners

None

Comments

Not much doing tonight! I had one up to the bottom of the hole but it came unbuttoned when it hit the ice.

Day 283 1-26-2010 Tue 82 to go

Day 283-82 to go
1-26-10 Tue
5:00PM-8:00PM

Weather: W17, cloudy, 8°, 30.00 rising

Water conditions: 5.13' falling, 27.7kcfs, clear, 10" ice

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 8- Dresbach Dam (Short Wall)

Caught

1. Sauger (6) 9-12", Jigging Rapala (kept 2)
2. Walleye 11", Jigging Rapala

Partners

None

Comments

I passed one of two tests today for work, so I am treating myself to a little longer fishing time.
With the recent warm weather and rain the open water gap between the dam and the ice has increased approximately one-hundred feet. If you look closely at the background of the picture you can see a sign and some lights from the dam. I am approximately 50 feet from the turbulent open water of the dam.
Fishing was difficult tonight. According to the marks on my locator I had some lookers, but not many takers. I tried many different colors but I was most successful with downsizing my lure size.

Day 282 1-25-2010 Mon 83 to go

Day 282-83 to go
1-25-10 Mon
5:00PM-5:45PM

Weather: WNW12, light snow, 23°, 29.34 steady

Water conditions: 5.15' falling, 28.8kcfs, clear, 20" ice

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 8- Dresbach Landing Bay

Caught

1. Perch 8", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

I was back looking for crappies in the Dresbach Bay. It was a short outing since I had lots of studying to do for my upcoming test in the morning. I am now confidently convinced that the crappie numbers are low and almost non-existant in this bay.

Day 281 1-24-2010 Sun 84 to go

Day 281-84 to go
1-24-10 Sun
4:15M-5:15PM

Weather: WSW10, cloudy, 34°, 29.24 rising

Water conditions: 5.11' rising, 26.6kcfs, clear, 20" ice

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 7- Lake Onalaska(Half-Way Creek)

Caught

1. Bluegills (6) 4-7", Lil Cecil
2. Crappie (4) 4-8", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

After a day away from the home waters I got back to Lake Onalaska this afternoon. I drilled lots of holes and caught some fish, but there just isn't much in the dredge holes. I think the winter fishing doldrums may be upon us!

Day 280 1-23-2010 Sat 85 to go

Day 280-85 to go
1-23-10 Sat
8:00AM-10:00AM

Weather: SE10, light snow, 27°, 29.75 steady

Water conditions: 7.04' steady, 15.1kcfs, clear, 20" ice

Location

Mississippi R, Pool 4- Nelson Dike (Pontoon Slough)

Caught

1. Bluegills (6) 4-8.5", Lil Cecil
2. Crappie (1) 8", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

I was out of town today, so I was fishing an area that I have never fished before. I did catch a few fish, but for the most part they were very negative. The fish were present: The underwater camera revealed that. In fact there were so many fish that it reminded me of one of those Winter slow globes that had been shaken.

Day 279 1-22-2010 Fri 86 to go

Day 279-86 to go
1-22-10 Fri
12:30PM-1:30PM

Weather: ESE9, cloudy, 25°, 29.95 falling

Water conditions: 4.88' steady, 15.9kcfs, clear, 20" ice

Location

Mississippi R, - Dresbach Dam landing bay

Caught

1. Perch (4) 9", Lil Cecil
2. Crappie (1) 10", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

I was looking for crappies this afternoon and I did not find them. I drilled a dozen holes and never found the mother lode.

Day 278 1-21-2010 Thr 87 to go

Day 278-87 to go
1-21-10 Thr
5:00PM-6:30PM

Weather: E10, freezing rain, 21°, 29.86 steady

Water conditions: 4.89' steady, 16.3kcfs, clear, 15" ice

Location

Pool Eight - South end of French Island

Caught

Nothing

Partners

None

Comments

Tonight I was not after numbers but quality. The short version of the story is I found neither. I had a few lookers on the locator but no takers.

Day 277 1-20-2010 Wed 88 to go

Day 277-88 to go
1-20-10 Wed
5:00PM-8:30PM

Weather: Calm, cloudy, 28°, falling (weather stats are a guess)

Water conditions: 4.87' steady, 15.6kcfs, clear, 15 ice"

Location

Pool Eight - Dresbach Dam Short Wall

Caught

1. Sauger (12) 9-13", Jigging Rap (kept six)
2. Walleye 10", jigging Rap

Partners

Jake T. (co-worker and A+ classmate)

Comments

Tonight I had the company of a co-worker who is also in the computer training class with me. After class we hurriedly headed for the Dresbach Dam for some sauger fishing. The fish were on fire! They were very active and aggressive. It was a very fun night and a great break from the books. I was even able to convince Jake that the Jigging Rapala is a great fishing lure.

day 276 1-19-2010 89 to go

Day 276-89 to go
1-19-10 Tue
6:00PM-7:40PM

Weather: Calm, fog, 20°, 30.02 steady

Water conditions: 4.97' falling, 18.9kcfs, clear, 8 ice"

Location

Pool Eight - Dresbach Dam Short Wall

Caught

1. Sauger (7) 9-11", Jigging Rap
2. Walleye 13", jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

Who needs electronics! Tonight the battery on my flasher died before I even caught my first fish. I thought for sure I was doomed to a fish less night. Was I ever wrong! I did not catch quality fish, but I did have the numbers.
I think because I did not have my flasher to watch I was concentrating more on watching the end of my pole. I was seeing bites that would have gone undetected if I would have been watching the flasher.

day 275 1-18-2010 90 to go

Day 275-90 to go
1-18-10 Mon
5:00PM-6:30PM

Weather: W3, cloudy, 28°, 29.97 rising

Water conditions: 4.98' falling, 19.3kcfs, clear, 8 ice"

Location

Pool Eight - Dresbach Dam Short Wall

Caught

1. Sauger (4) 10-11", Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

Again nothing for size. But, just getting out and coaxing something to bite is fun!

Day 274-91 to go
1-17-10 Sun
2:00PM-5:00PM

Weather: SE3, clear, 30°, 29.83 rising

Water conditions: 639.53' steady, 16kcfs, clear, 18 ice"

Location

Pool seven - Fox beach

Caught

1. Perch (20) 6-12", Lil Cecil, kept 6
2. Bluegills (20) 5-7.5", Lil Cecil, kept 2
3. Crappie (8) 7-10", Lil Cecil, kept 1


Partners

Adam

Comments

Today I tried a spot I have never ice-fished before. Access was by airboat as it is a pretty remote spot. The fishing was pretty good, I will definitely be back!

day 273 1-16-2010 92 to go

Day 273-92 to go
1-16-10 Sat
1:30PM-3:00PM

Weather: S9, clear, 28°, 30.04 falling


Location

Trempeleau - Bike trail

Bagged

Nothing

Partners

Roxie

Comments

I thought with the warmer weather the rabbits would be available for chasing. The way it turned out we only managed one mediocre run. It is looking more and more like Roxie just does not have the rabbit hunting gift.

Day 272 1-15-10 Fri 93 days to go

Day 272-93 to go
1-15-10 Fri
2:30PM-6:30PM

Weather: SW9, overcast, 30°, 30.25 falling

Water conditions: 639.54', 16.2kcfs, clear, 10 ice"

Location

Pool seven - Trempeleau Dam (Minnesota side)

Caught

1. Sauger (4) 8-12", Jigging Rap, kept one 12"
2. Walleye (2) 6-8", JIgging Rap


Partners

Jake T.

Comments

Myself and Jake made the trip to trempeleau today to do some walleye fishing. The fishing was very slow!

Day 271 1-14-10 Thr 94 to go

Day 271-94 to go
1-14-10 Thr
5:15PM-6:30PM

Weather: NW8, misty, cloudy, 25°, 30.06 rising

Water conditions: 5.05', 23.5kcfs, clear, 10 ice"

Location

Pool eight - Dresbach Dam (short wall)

Caught

1. Sauger 9", Lil Cecil


Partners

None

Comments

The numbers do not reflect it but the fish were quite active tonight. I missed several fish and the last one I had on broke my line.

Day 270 1-13-10 Wed 95 to go

Day 270-95 to go
1-13-10 Wed
12:30PM-2:30PM

Weather: S12, clear, 30°, 29.90 falling

Water conditions: 639.58', 17.2kcfs, clear, 20 ice"

Location

Pool seven - Lake Onalaska (Half-Way Creek)

Caught

1. Bluegills (12) 4-7", Lil Cecil
2. Perch (2) 6 & 9", Lil Cecil
3. Crappie (2) 4 & 9", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

I had my nephews wedding tonight, so I took a half days vacation to get out fishing. There were lots of fish, but almost all were small.

Day 269 1-12-10 Tue 96 to go

Day 269-96 to go
1-12-10 Tue
5:00PM-5:30PM

Weather: S10, clear, 19°, 30.28 falling

Water conditions: 5.05', 22.9kcfs, cler, 18 ice"

Location

Pool eight - Dresbach Dam (In front of north landing)

Caught

Nothing

Partners

None

Comments

Today was the first day of a computer certification class I have through work, and I have a terrible headache! The class is three weeks long with two tests. My time is definitely going to be at a premium for the next four weeks: My comments are going to be brief and to the point.
Since I was not feeling well, I decided to try a spot that was easy to access. I have always seen one or two fisherman here, but I have not tried it. I did not catch or even see anything on the locator.

Day 268 1-11-10 mon 97 to go

Day 268-97 to go
1-11-10 Mon
5:00PM-6:45PM

Weather: N7, clear, 12°, 30.43 rising

Water conditions: 5.01', 20.5kcfs, 12 ice"

Location

Pool eight - Dresbach Dam (short wall)

Caught

1. Saugers 2 (12"), Jigging Rap (kept both)
2. Walleyes (1) 12", Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

The fishing was okay tonight. The fish were not aggressive, and definetely had to be coaxed into biting.

day 267 1-10-2010 98 to go

Day 267-98 to go
1-10-10 Sun
2:00PM-5:00PM

Weather: SW18 G24, clear, 16°, 30.05 rising

Water conditions: 639.78' steady, 21.7 kcfs, 20"

Location

Pool Seven - Lake Onalaska - Half-Way Creek

Caught

1. Bluegills (approx. 15) 4-6", Lil Cecil
2. Crappies (8) 4-10", Lil Cecil (kept 3)
3. Perch (2) 6", Lil Cecil

Partners

None

Comments

I was looking for crappies today. I did find some, but not very many. I did find tons of bluegills, but the size was very small! The little bluegills were very active, and so were the crappie when they showed up on the locator.
Today the Packers were playing in a wild card game, and the ice was pretty much vacated an hour before kickoff.

Day 266-99 to go
1-9-10 Sat
7:15AM-1:30PM
Weather: Calm, clear, -12°, 30.58 rising (8:00AM)


Location

Trempeleau and Arcadia

Bagged

1. Rabbits (2)

Partners

Tom W. (Dirt and Roxie - our dogs)
Comments

We did it! Tom and myself and our beagles finally bagged a bunny. It was very, very cold this morning - what the heck were we thinking. We must be possessed on getting out into the outdoors.
Even though the weather was very cold, we saw quite a few rabbits. I think we saw more rabbits today than we did the whole season last year. With the deeper snow and plenty of hiding spots the rabbits were not running much, in fact they were running directly to holes. Was it to get out of the cold or away from the trailing beagles? I doubt the later, the beagles were having a difficult time scenting. I hope it was because of the weather.

Day 265 1-8-10 100 to go

Day 265-100 to go
1-8-10 Fri
5:00PM-7:15PM
Weather: Calm, clear, 6°, 30.47 rising

Water conditions: 4.96' steady, 18.6 kcfs, 8"

Location

Pool eight - Dresbach Dam - short wall

Caught

1. Saugers (3) 10 -11", Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

I cannot stop now, I am down to one-hundred days!
It was cold tonight and so was the fishing. I did not catch my usual couple of fish during the last few minutes of daylight, and I really had to work for what I did catch. It sure is amazing the amount of people that ice fish below the dams for winter pike. It is not like there is non-stop action. In fact I rarely see anybody catch fish. It must be the challenge that appeals to everyone. I can't imagine it being the taste of the fish. I believe the taste of walleye is way over rated, but the challenge is another matter!

day 264 1-7-10 101 to go

Day 264-101 to go
1-7-10- Thr
4:55PM-5:25PM
Weather: NW2, overcast, 16°, 30.10 rising
Water conditions: 12", clear

Location

Lake Neshonic - East end

Caught

Nothing - So what's new!

Partners

None

Comments

Well, I think I will have to give up on this body of water! It just goes to show that the fishing on the Mississippi River cannot be beat.

Day 263 1-6-10 102 to go

Day 263-102 to go
1-6-10- Wed
5:00PM-6:30PM
Weather: N3, overcast, 15°, 30.18 falling
Water conditions: 4.81 steady, 13.6 kcfs, 8”, clear

Location
Pool 8 – Dresbach Dam - short wall

Caught

1. Walleyes (4) 12 - 14", Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

The walleyes were biting tonight. Unfortunately the size was just under the limit.

Day 262 1-5-10 103 to go

Day 262-103 to go
1-5-10- Tue
5:15PM-7:30PM
Weather: N8, clear, 8°, 30.29 steady
Water conditions: 4.85 falling, 14.9 kcfs, 8”, clear

Location
Pool 8 – Dresbach Dam - short wall

Caught

1. Sauger (6) 9-12", Kept two, Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

Fishing was better tonight. I now have somewhat of an idea of how to fish these finicky pike. Tonight was the most fish I have caught in an evening.

Day 261 1-4-10 104 to go

Day 261-104 to go
1-4-10- Mon
5:15PM-7:30PM
Weather: N10, clear, 8°, 30.36 rising
Water conditions: 4.83 steady, 14.3 kcfs, 6”, clear

Location
Pool 8 – Dresbach Dam - short wall

Caught

1. Sauger 11", 7:00 PM, Jigging Rap

Partners

None

Comments

Pike fishing was poor. The action was pretty much non-existent!

day 260 1-3-10 105 to go

Day 260-105 to go
1-3-1- Sun
2:00PM-4:30PM
Weather: NW9, overcast, 6°, 30.53 rising
Water conditions: 639.78 falling, 21.7 kcfs, 18”, clear

Location
Pool 7 – Lake Onalaska

Caught

1. Crappies (2) 4”, diamond jig
2. Bluegills (aprox.25) 4-7", diamond jig

Partners

Jay S.

Comments

Fishing today was very good, however the size was really lacking. Since I was not fishing alone, I did not have many options for search and destroy fishing. Jay was able to ice a pretty nice crappie.

day 259 1-2-10 106 to go

Day 259-106 to go
1-2-1- Sat
2:00PM-4:10PM
Weather: N8, clear, 2°, 30.51 rising
Water conditions: 639.84 falling, 23 kcfs, 18”, clear

Location
Pool 7 – Lake Onalask

Caught

1. Crappies (6) 8-14”, Lil Cecil (kept 5)
2. Bluegills (aprox.25) 4-7.5", Lil Cecil (kept 4)

Partners

None

Comments

got out for a couple hours this afternoon. My hopes were to catch some lunker crappie, but I would take anything. After drilling four holes at different locations I found what I was looking for; decent depth and marks on the locator.
Right off the bat I had marks coming off the bottom to meet my offering, but very few takers. My next strategy was to put the camera down in the underwater world and see what the heck was really going on. Just as I had figured, Bluegills and lots of small ones. Since I was using a Lil Cecil tipped with a waxy they were a little hesitant to commit. Just as I was comtemplating a bait change-up to a more suitable bluegill gathering piece, it happened. From the darkness came a broad shoulder crappie intent on inhaling my poor little cecil! It looked like a linebacker blitzing the quarterback and no bluegills were going to stand in its way.
Unfotunately I did not have a tape, but it was easily two inches longer than the biggest one I kept, and that was 12". The good news is that fish was released to hopefully make someone elses day and hopefully someone after that! All in all it was a pleasant afternoon of fishing and I even kept a few for a meal.

day 258 1-1-2010 107 to go

Day 258-107 to go
1-1-1- Fri
3:00PM-4:30PM

Weather: NW15, sunny, 12°, 30.41 rising
Water conditions: 5.17 falling, 30 kcfs, 12”, clear

Location

Pool 8 – Pettibone Park

Caught

1. Crappies (4) 4-8”, diamond jig

Partners

None

Comments

This morning when I woke up I thought my streak was perhaps in jeopardy! The pain last night was almost unbearable. Luckily around 2PM I regained some of my mobility and was able to push myself to get to the ice. The fish I did catch were small and most were inactive.
As I reflect on the past year some things come to mind: The mud cat fishing was pretty good, I also did very well with the bass and northern. Pan fishing was alright with crappie fishing being pretty dismal. Early on the ice fishing was good, but after the first week it has been sporadic. The turkey and deer seasons were good. The duck season was good until November and after that it was terrible. I shot a few grouse and woodcock, but I did not even bag a pheasant. So far the rabbit season is on par with last years, a basic non-season.

day 257 12-31-2009 108 to go

Day 257-108 to go
12-31-2009 Thr
5:00PM-6:00PM

Weather: WNW10, clear, 12°, 30.21 falling
Water conditions: 5.25 falling, 33.5 kcfs, 12”, clear

Location

Pool 8

Caught

Nothing

Partners

None

Comments

Pain! Pain! Pain! I had a major issue with my back tonight. I must have thrown it out while taking my gear out of the back of the truck. My night time crappie adventure was down the tubes before I even got to fishing. It was a struggle to get two holes drilled, get set-up and start fishing. I really had a hard time getting back to the truck, in fact I almost thought about calling home for some assistance.

day 256 12-30-2-009 109 to go

Day 256-109 to go
12-30-2009 Wed
5:00PM-6:15PM

Weather: S7, light snow, 28°, 29.84 steady
Water conditions: 5.37 falling, 36.3 kcfs, 8”, clear

Location

Pool 8

Caught

Nothing

Partners

None

Comments

I was pike fishing again tonight and again I was not successful. I did not catch anything and I only saw one fish that seemed to show any interest in my offering.

day 255 12-29-09 110 to go

Day 255-110 to go
12-29-2009 Tue
5:00PM-6:30PM

Weather: S7, clear, 18°, 30.31 falling
Water conditions: 5.4 falling, 36.8 kcfs, 6”, clear

Location

Pool 8– Dresbach Dam - point of long wall

Caught

Nothing

Partners

None

Comments

Tonight I was back to Dresbach looking for pike. I was fishing off the long wall, but not where I had hoped to be fishing. Someone had already beaten me to the location I thought was going to be it tonight! I marked very few fish and I did not catch any.