Ice three feet thick during mid winter is not uncommon. However, it is always good to check with the locals for the current conditions, especially at the beginning and end of the season. The winter take usually consists of limits of walleye, sauger, and northern pike, as well as jumbo perch, and white fish which is good smoked. At the beginning of the season, usually around December 1, depending on the weather, there is a lot of action in the frozen bays and shoreline areas. Walleye fishing tends to be especially good at dawn and dusk with sauger action throughout the day.
Popular baits are shiner minnows on colorful jigs.
Anglers use a much shorter pole, often made partially of wood for ice fishing. The resorts usually furnish all the gear you need for a relaxing day on the ice. As the ice fishing season gets in full swing a metamorphosis takes place. As if by magic, a whole community of shacks mysteriously appear. Mushrooming near the fishing hot spots, approximately 1,500 to 3,000 are set up at any one time.