Panfish
The Thaw: Ice Out Habits of Iowa Game Fish
The Thaw: Ice Out Habits of Iowa Game Fish The disappearance of ice come spring is a sad time for those of us who love to ice fish. We begrudgingly put away the sleds, augers, and shacks and give one final farewell to all the gear until next winter. But alas, open water season is […]
READ MORE
Ice Fishing Strategy for Active Fish
The Need for Speed: Ice Fishing Strategy for Active Fish Sometimes Mike and I call it our hurry-up offense. It’s that mode we go into when time is short during a tournament and we need a few more kicker fish…or we need to finish out our limit. Also, it’s a technique that Mike Riley, my […]
READ MORE
Fishing New Water Under The Ice
Fishing New Water Under The Ice One of the challenges we all face, whether you’re fishing from a boat or standing on the ice on a new body of water, the question becomes, “where do we fish?” With the advent of modern technology, and much of it portable now, we can make some very educated […]
READ MORE
Is A New Fishing Boat in your Future
Is a New Fishing Boat in your Future Over the past year Iowans have been spending more time together as a family in the outdoors. Fishing and boating have become popular activities where families can unwind, relax and enjoy each other’s company in the setting of nature. Perhaps you have been debating about getting a […]
READ MORE
Things That Ruin Ice Fishing Success
Things That Ruin Ice Fishing Success Ice fishing has been a passion of mine since 1990, it doesn’t seem possible, but the allure of cutting a hole in the ice to catch fish gets my blood pumping every winter. Growing up during my school days I eagerly awaited Sundays when we would trek out to […]
READ MORE
Chasing Late Season Bluegills In Clear Water
Chasing Late Season Bluegills In Clear Water For years and years ice fishermen from across the Midwest have headed to northwest Iowa’s West Lake Okoboji to sight fish the finicky bluegills which West Okoboji is famous for. Late ice toward the end of February and into March can be incredible. Once in a while, for […]
READ MORE
Ice Fishing Fundamentals
Ice Fishing Fundamentals Every year I give lots of ice fishing seminars over the course of the winter. LOTS of seminars. So many in fact, that I used to find myself wanting to up the ante with each seminar I presented, tackling increasingly more complex subject matter with each new presentation. A few years ago, […]
READ MORE
Hunting Offseason Preparation: 9 Ways to Boost Success
The End of One Season is the Beginning of a New Season: Offseason Hunting Strategy Guide What should hunters do in the offseason? Hunters should use the offseason to improve success by: Scouting deer movement and habitat Practicing shooting skills regularly Gaining permission for new land Maintaining and upgrading equipment Improving habitat and food sources […]
READ MORE
Early Tactics for Full Buckets
Early Tactics for Full Buckets Once the calendar turns to November, anglers in the Ice Belt begin praying for several sub-freezing days and nights to get that first sold ice on fishable waters. Here on the Iowa Great Lakes that can be early as Thanksgiving but most usually around the middle of December. Now that […]
READ MORE
Ice Fishing Preview
Ice Fishing Preview December is around the corner! And with any luck, we will have a chance to get out and start punching holes and feeding our ice fishing addiction. There have been times when we’re on the ice by Thanksgiving, but in most cases, except for Northern Iowa, we’ll still have ice that’s pretty […]
READ MORE