Sunset Closer

As the sun sets on the shortest season in memory it was an ideal day weather wise.Feeling under the weather i still had 2 dozen minnows from last weekend to set free.Not telling the Mrs. about my illness or the nasty crack i set out.Last weekend i marked lots with lockjaw and only managed 4 stray perch. This time after 4 spots i marked very few but managed a dozen perch and 3 smally wallys but as per usual only after they had their morning nap.The Fish would only bite on a fresh lively minnow and had no interest in a dead one or spoon.I Left early around 4 as the crack was in the back of my mind along with the fishing rod i lost on the way out. I had the lure stuck on my boot which told me it was somewhere else.Luckily i found it on the way along with some shack blocks i picked up.Only 5 other popups and 1 hard shack out there.One eskimo a few clicks out looked like someone walked and was there for the weekend.Rough season for all the bait stores and outfitters for sure.Until next season,Cheers and tight lines.

I agree with the lively minnows only too.
Looking at the forecast I can’t see any recovery possible just
a few warm walking opportunities left on late season shrinking ice.
Season wasn’t a bust though as I had some awesome action. Just a shorter season but still a hell of a lot more than than our southern fisherman get!!!!

Pretty sure thats a rap for me and found last season to be Much better then this one but maybe there's other things in play.[ i don't stay late for one ] I thought last weekends full moon low pressure would be good which showed lots of fish but they were not hungry. Nip can be awsome one day and go back the next to nothing.i tried 4 spots yesterday all showing very few fish but my finder is old [like me ] and may not be all that reliable.[ i am ]

Same, went out from 3-6 Saturday after not being able to go for a while thinking one last trip out and no marks just nothing which is odd.

Based on my limited ice fishing experience I've decided to call in on Nip for the year.

It just doesn't look right to me anyways, looking around some spots looked a little strange.

I was the only pop up out in this area which made me a bit nervous, looking down the lake all those huts I could see before are also gone.

This year was pretty awesome even if it was a short season.

I had all the right gear finally, except a ride! (Next year).

This was go to lure this year, Time to be retired.

Its the forecast i'm sure factored in for probably everyone as plus 14 and warm with pressure cracks and so so ice not being a great recipe for safety.The pressure crack being the worse with only a foot or less of ice
p.s. yes Definately time for a shiney new lure.Mine is a medium little cleo for over 40 years.[ guess that pretty much gives my age away ]

Most likely a birthday present when you were 2 or 3?

HUNTER you are correct about us south fishers, we had 1 week of cold. Some guys got out probably 4 days worth. I was going to go but got up and it was raining so that was it for me. I been working on the boat all day today, might get her out tomorrow for her first run.

Well i think you are a little older than me maybe not too much as my goto has been a small/medium size red and gold Little Cleo as well. Probably close to 40 years as well.

That lure gave my best day/weekend ever on Nip and it was actually this season in late January. 108 fish that weekend in 6.5 hours. Cleo tipped with a shiner.

Definitely felt my age this year though as that knock on the noggin definitely slowed me down significantly more that it would have 40 years ago.

Ok I think I’m calling it for me for nip with 12 days left of the season. Had to try it once more today and the bite wasn’t good. A bunch of sneaky minnow taking going on but nothing to get hooked. Drilled 16 inches of ice about 2 inches white. Surface not slippery not snowy but enough soft top to wet snowmobile slides. Definitely be smart over wet pressure cracks. If a cold snap blew in with a bit of snow I might change my mind but it sure doesn’t look like thats in the forecast..

Hunterman, I drove by trout lake and it was a lake on a lake.I was surprised how much water there was.With double digits moving in today it will be killer.I agree the pressure crack was my biggest concern and i found the fishing slow last two weekends,at least for me.Things might tighten up a bit after but theres not that much ice and not that much cold in forcast.

Agreed Kenster, retiring the ice gear. Some good water on the ice now, a poor bite still and weather too mild as far ahead as can be seen. Managed to hit the temagami area today and same thing. Just didn’t have to deal with the pressure cracks there. I like it a bit frosty when I ice fish…