Hi Folks, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I have begun my 2024/2025 ice fishing guiding season. Currently, I am pursuing northern pike and yellow perch. The lake we are fishing has 7” of solid black ice. 4” of black ice is more than safe to walk on. Still it is wise to bring safety gear along when walking out onto the hard water. Wearing picks of life and carrying along rope is a sound idea. The last five years I have been able to ice fish by December 20. Let’s hope that the cold weather hangs around and forms more ice. I will expand my operation as more bodies of water become safe to fish. Generally, I mix it up in the winter pursuing northern pike, walleye, trout, various panfish, and smelt. I am offering 4 hour trips this winter. I can accommodate anglers who want to fish a full day. I provide all of the gear with my service. I have 2 portable Clam shanties that are heated. It is important to have good footwear for ice fishing. High boots that are warm and dry. Dressing in layers is a nice method to contend with the cold weather. Googles or sunglasses are a must in order to contend with glare off the ice. Experience is not necessary in order to fish with Catamount Fishing Adventures. Everything I do is educational and I am in the fun business. The fishing the last few days has been decent. The wind finally settled down which made moving around the ice a lot more comfortable. Cold nights and days staying below freezing have been outstanding for forming ice. We have been setting tip ups and jigging for perch and pike. The Yellow perch bite has been consistent. We are catching fish right off the bottom. Fishing in anywhere from 8’ to 10’ of water. Fire tiger colored jigs tipped with maggots have been consistent. The larger perch are being caught tipping jigs with small fathead minnows. We have been setting tip-ups for northern pike. Our sets have been on the outside edge of a large weed bed that drops from 7’ to 11’ of water. We have been using large golden shiners and small yellow perch. All of our takes have been just off the bottom. Early season ice fishing can be very good. Great time to land a large northern pike. Well, let’s go as the say, time to ice fish! Remember to clean your gear and keep the non-native species at home! Have Fun, Willy
