skdds

now that you mention it, I hit really good school of perch about 3:30 pm a few weeks ago...but nothing 11-3...

...I figure any time of day is ok as long as there is light, besides I don't like beer at 7:30 am...

Hi guys, a friend and I are going to ice fishing-perch in cooks bay next weekend and have debated the best time to go. He wants to be out on the ice at 7:30-8:00 am as he says the bite is better first thing in the morning.. I don't think it should matter too much as I have caught good schools in late morning and mid afternoon. Opinions? thanks skdds

I wish mine looked like #3!

..I find when I fillet them like a walleye...even being careful, there's not a lot of meat left..can't even make a fish stick!

Thanks for the info!-skdds

Hi Guys, back from some perching on Simcoe..very cold but still a great time. How do you guys clean up the fish-I brought back about a dozen and cleaned them up with the you-tube "10 second method"..keeps a lot of meat but also bones. Any other ideas for next time? hopefully boneless! Thanks Skdds.

Didn't know that..thanks!

Hi Guys, ..I know we are not there yet..but.. Any suggestions for hut operators on Simcoe? I am planning a February perching trip for some newbies to ice fishing-kids and adults. I would like some suggestions for a few outfitters that can put us on fish! Thanks! Skdds

Nice! ...tackle used this time of year?-skdds

A win is still a win, good job I say!

fished mostly at the canal leading to the chute, also near white falls marina..

Hi Guys, Back from Gloucester Pool, thanks for the pre-trip tips. As I have fished there before around the same time of year (July), I thought that I was in for some easy catches. Previous years, a few good crawlers and leaches would easily do the trick. No such luck for me this year with those baits. I was marking fish-a lot of fish, and a lot of baitfish schools in all my previous spots and offered a crawler "buffet"...but no takers.Through trial and error, found out what the fish really wanted were plastics-especially Gulp minnows-2-4" trolled in 15-20 fow. (I do a lot of solo fishing in an aluminum can so trolling works easier for me than casting). Once I found what they wanted, the rest was easy...good pigs with minimal effort. Here are a few pics. Also nabbed a smaller walleye as a bonus. A few other guys I spoke too nailed a few pike and crappie in the pool as well....too bad had to come back to T.O. Why would the fish want something different compared to years before (all other things begin about equal)? skdds

Thanks for the reply, sounds encouraging! I've never caught a gar pike, that would be neat. I would not think that the pike would be so active with the warmer water...skdds

HI Guys, Heading back up to Gloucester Pool next week. Anyone fished there this season? How's the bite? Thanks Skdds

Thanks again Garry, great info and suggestions...always something new to learn-skdds

Agreed! that information was very helpful, thanks!...any suggested websites for good quality fishing maps?-skdds

Hi guys, Any suggestions about how to best interpret a fishing map to find the most "ideal" fishing spots for a new lake ? I can appreciate the info from water depths etc and I know it also depends on species, but any other general tips would be helpful. Thanks! skdds

Have fished Gloucester Pool a few times in July..good bass and some pike..can see my reports somewhere here on the OFC search...still looking for eyes, however...will try again this summer...but probably would have better luck around now if I could go. Not fished Baxter. -skdds

I'm sure the weather will be better in two weeks. You are correct, we went up the river as far as we were allowed. Caught a few pike and bass but no eyes. Should be better in a few weeks I would think, and I think you can fish farther inland on the river then too. I've heard its really good fishing farther up but that part of the river was still closed. Water temps were also pretty cold-55 degrees so we had to fish slower and went down to 51-52 degrees after the snow. Wouldn't mind being back there myself in a few weeks too!-skdds

..Back from Pointe Au Baril, thanks for the tips last week. A good trip overall, nailed a number of pike, most in the 25-30" range (one guy at the lodge apparently nailed at 47"!). Had the good fortune to fish with Mike Richardson's guiding partner Jeremy (705-366-5618). Great guy and knows all the back bays and details of the area. Worked really hard to put me on fish and succeeded. Give him a call if interested in the area. During my few days there I hit mostly pike, a few smallies (good sizes that smashed the pike lures), one medium musky..that broke away, a few perch, but sadly, very few walleye!...tried darn hard but the bite was off and then really tanked after the cold front (aka snow..May 8th!-see pic) came in. I be back up there again someday...maybe try the fall this time. Scenery is great too.. skdds

Thanks for the suggestions will be heading to Bass Pro and see what I can find..skdds

Will post a report as soon as I can....I've heard water temps in the 50's though...I'll leave you a few fish!

Thanks for the tips, pretty sure the water will be <70 at this time of the year..any particular colours on twister tails?-skdds

that's right guys, walleye opens tomorrow in P.A.B...now just gotta learn how to get em...