Friday 'Eyes

Quick trip out with my friend, looking to get him his first fish through the ice (excluding perch). At the launch for 9:30am and had the pop-up up and holes drilled by 10am.

I had us set up in 60' on a transition off to the side of a 35' shoal. To maximize our legal line limit and cover more water, I rigged a tip-up on the top of the hump in 30' and a second suspended 45' over 65', both with large live emerald shiners.

Around noon, my friend hooked into a fish twice (I suspect a lake trout) the second time managing to reel it up 10'-15' before it got off. I reassured him he would have another opportunity but as the day wore on, I began to have my doubts. Up to that point, we had marked fish consistently but had only connected with one.

Towards late afternoon, as we discussed what time we would start packing down, we hit the walleye window. In the span of 20 minutes he landed a walleye, I landed another on the tip-up and as I had just pulled my walleye out of the hole I saw the flag on the second tip-up spring upwards. By the time I ran over to the second tip-up the fish had gotten off but it was an exciting way to end the day.

My friend's first fish through the ice, the smile says it all:



Second walleye on the tip-up a few minutes after:



Gold bars:

Great story as always! I like how you set up your spread. I will try this presentation when Joe opens as we fish an area with similar structure. Those walleye are perfect eaters. It looks like you have another buddy "hooked"

Never give up hope...a great moto.
Congrats!. Nice Eyes.

He’s definitely hooked now! I’ve been using tip-ups as my second line (when legal) more this season. In areas with varying depths within close range it’s definitely an effective way of intercepting fish.

Great report and nice eyes. I'm happy you put your friend on some fish, they look like perfect size walleye for the frying pan! Congrats on the success.

Great trip after all nice outing

goes to show that you never know when they turn on.........well done

Perfect eaters, both stomachs were full of what appeared to be mysis shrimp.

Great looking eyes.

Arnie

Very nice late bite to end the day. Gotta love ending on a high note after a slowish day...and some walleye to boot for dinner

Nice work Mike!

If you are ever up Nip way let me know. Not always around but i have snowmobiles/toboggans and gear/tackle enough for 4 to run and gun. Heading out Friday with 2 newbies and my son for a few days to chase walleye, perch, pike, burbot, cisco and maybe even the odd bass.

Have done the 5 species day a few times but still trying for the theoretical 6 species day.

Nice Fish Fellas!
Looks like a great day!

That sounds great Joe, will do. Heckuva fishery you’ve got up there. Haven’t fished Nipissing in years, only once when I was first starting out. Bumped into a group of anglers on the drive back from Temagami who had an unbelievable few days on Nip. Triple digit walleye and a good species mix, consistent with your reports.

Nice report, Mike!