First and foremost, no ice is ever safe ice.
For those of you looking to target the Fox River, Fox Point Boat ramp has one lane open to launch currently and after the upcoming rain this week I suspect more will follow including the Fair Grounds and Metro landing. No docks are in yet before you all ask! Walleye fishing has been good right out of the gate with decent numbers of 16-23” fish showing up. Jig and minnow of course have worked but hair jigs and blade baits should be in your planned arsenal if heading out. Kee in mind the regulations have now switched on the river to 1 Walleye over 28” from now until the first Saturday in May.
Perch fishing in most locations has seen an increase in activity. If you can work your way out to safe locations. Tip downs hare reported as the best tactic with small to Medium Shiners. Keep in mind that Perch season on Green Bay is March 15th.
Whitefish activity finally picked up in many areas. As always getting away from others helps with the fish activity. Reports of a good bite from Volks to Redrive rove the last few days have come in. Jigs and plastics like small 2” Tubes on Slick Jigs or Keitech easy Shiners on a jig have been reported as the best baits.
Larsons reef also showed improvements in the bite most in the morning and afternoon with some slow down mid-day. Jigs and plastics like Keitech Swing Impact Fats in a 2.8 length were reported as the best baits.
If you are looking to venture out moving forward on Green Bay ice, please use Extreme caution and mind your wind. We are now looking at deteriorating conditions with longer days and warm weather. Many new pressure cracks opened up Saturday and Sunday on both side of Green Bay and the ice down the middle has begun to erode doe to increased run off. Most guides up on Larsons reef (Including myself) have pulled all their equipment and shacks to shore and are considering removing them from the ice this week due to week ice areas and thinning spots along with compromised ice conditions.
Great news Smokeys on the Bay is now open, Yah see you soon.
Be safe!
Capt. Robert Claus
FinFanatic Charters
920-360-2904
