Thread: Ice Fishing Minocqua, WI crazy day 1

Gizzard and I departed Bloominton at 5ish this morning. After skating all the way through IL, we landed in Minocqua ~noonish. We met up with two other buddies and tried to start fishing. After getting one truck stuck in a ditch at the lake and hitting a tree trying to get out, ice auger won't start, go buy new one...four holes cut and then it won't start any longer. 1 hour later after talking the bait store into fixing the problem instead of getting us to have it waranty fixed...we are only here 3 days, so that won't work. Gonna get better, then worse.

We ended up getting 5 pike on the ice with the biggest being 32" (not pictured since Giz and I didn't catch it). Had 3 others, but didn't succeed. I added a couple of pictures below, but they are only mid-20's fish. Didn't see any Crappie all day long, howevever, did see a ton of perch, but didn't fish for them really at all. Will do so more perch fishing tomorrow when the day gets slows from the pike and walleye bite.

Now for the crazy part... We typically fish an area that is between two lakes up here so there are spots where the water isn't frozen because there is a current (probably can see a little from the pics). We also fish this area because there is usually no one else around. Today, another gentlemen was across the open water from us, but we didn't pay much attention to him at first. Until, he moved to a new spot and fell through the ice. He was probably 400 yards from us at this point. Luckily, Gizzard heard the incident and we were able to respond to him. Unfortunately, with the open water we couldn't run directly to him. It tooks us probably 90 seconds to run around and get to him. By this time he had worn himself out and was basically laying still in the water by the time my buddy reached him. My buddy had to lay down and low crawl to him to spread his weight and reach the individual. He was finally pulled him to safety and to quote him after a few minutes to gather himself, "you saved my life". What a day.

Crazy day1! Hopefully day 2 will be better.

wow what a day.... but best catch was defnately that other fisherman. thank goodness and it goes to show be careful on that ice. rope, ice picks and lifevest a must

Sounds like an interesting day. Glad you guys could help out the gentleman!

Cant wait to see some perch pictures! I like them better than crappie table fare wise. How big do you catch them? Any walleyes?

How Far To A Car Or Building To Get The Guy Out Of Those Wet Clothes And Warm Up????

I'm so very thankful you guys were there and able to help. Cold weather, especially cold water is very unforgiving. Well done Pig Sticker!!
If we ever meet, I'd be honored to buy you a cup of coffee and hear the story.
Be safe.
Floater

You guys are really brave for risking your lives for someone else. Way to go! I am sure that fella won't be ice fishing anymore by himself. Thank God you guys were there!

Much less eventful day 2...

4 pike and perch-a-palooza. There are so many perch it looks like a bees nest on the camera. Could even begin to say how many we caught, but it was a lot. Still no wally's or Crappie. Haven't even seen any on the camera.

Frank, the guy luckily lived on the lake, so he was only 100 yards or so from his house to safety. His wife was home and the ambulance arrived shortly after to check him out. All is well.

Birdman, most of the perch are super small, but I took a pic of a couple of the bigger ones to show. Pics are a little dark, since they were taken in my shanty.

Out to day 3... Hopefully Mr. Walleye comes to the party today.

A nice pike there! And perch too! mmmm bring some home for me!!!

Nice catch and well done saving the man's life.

Great job on saving that man's life