rice lake schools of fish jumping

[rivermaster]

I went to rice lake for the first time yesterday and there were schools of fish jumping, we tried topwater lures but weren't able to get any bites, all I managed to catch was a nice 12" perch and my buddy had a nice muskie on. I was set up for bass but maybe I should have been vertical jiggin. What do you think they were? crappie? I don't know why they were jumping so much, maybe they were being chased by something. There was also a big pack of otters in the same general area, it was pretty crazy and with that many baitfish there had to be bass around.

[rivermaster]

I caugh the perch on a 4 inch senko, I was using 5 inchers but decided to downsize when I started getting lots of liitle hits

[Jmf]

Could of been fish feeding on schools of bait close to the surface? I've seen that before in the spring when the emerald shiners stack up thick in rivers.

[rivermaster]

ya it could have been, i'm probably going there this weekend again and this time i'll be prepared, thanks for the reply

[Jmf]

good luck buddy, let us know what they are!

[rivermaster]

ya definitely, it's going to be windy and cold this time so they may be deeper but i'm sure i'll find them

[rivermaster]

It was really windy and cold, we left early and all I caught was a small perch lol, wish it was the same weather as last time.