With the arrival of March, walleye and northern pike are no longer fair game for ice fisherman. Although fisherman may put their tip ups away, there is still hot ice fishing action to be had. It is time to switch gears and concentrate on panfish. Panfish may not offer the excitement of a large walleye or pike, but they are equally as challenging. Besides, it is hard to pass up a good meal of tasty panfish.  Whether you are after bluegills, crappies or perch, you should have no trouble finding action throughout March.

On many lakes and flowages in northeast Wisconsin, March is primetime for hot panfish action. There are many places where the action is slow through January and February then starts to pick up in March. Not only will you get into high numbers of panfish, but you will catch larger than average fish.  Larger panfish can evade fisherman much of the winter, but they turn on during the late ice season. At this time, most fishermen tend to fish the larger lakes and flowages. While they can be productive, the action on smaller lakes is much more consistent. Changing weather conditions, which are common in March, have a minimal effect on feeding periods. However, expect panfish to feed the most under warming weather conditions.

Besides feeding on a more regular basis, panfish are easier to locate in smaller lakes. On large lakes and flowages food will be scattered and panfish schools can be tough to locate. Fish also tend to be more mobile, so you will have to begin a new search each time you head out. On the other hand, on a small lake once you find active panfish, they often remain in the area throughout the rest of the winter. If they do move they are much easier to locate on smaller waters.

By small lakes, I am referring to those under 300 acres in size. Here in northeast Wisconsin, there is no shortage of such lakes. I hope I can shed some light on a few that have been proven hot lakes for panfish during the late ice fishing season.

Lily Lake in southern Forest County is one example of a lake that can turn on in the late ice-fishing season. This clear water lake covers 140 acres and has a maximum depth of 20 feet. Weeds are present, although not abundant. Perch, crappies and bluegills are all present in good numbers.  Here is a typical lake with limited structure – prime for late season ice anglers. 

On the southwest end of the lake is a small hump that tops out at 6 feet. Panfish can be taken off the top of the hump and along the drop off.  Start jigging on top the hump with small spoons tipped with grubs. If bluegills are present, they will cooperate. Prime bluegill feeding occurs early and late in the day. Crappies will suspend off the hump, and can be tough to locate, so a portable depth finder is essential. Look for the most active crappies to be holding just above the bottom. Fishing a small minnow on the bottom adjacent to the hump will also yield nice perch. This hump can be effectively fished for all species.     

Just to the east of the hump is the entrance of the Lily River.  Both perch and bluegill move into this area during late winter to feed. Use caution, as ice conditions can change rapidly. The muck bottom will hold insect larva, which is an important forage base for both perch and bluegill. Here, peak feeding takes place at dawn. 

On the north end of the lake lies a large pronounced point. There is some weed growth and rock. Here again, all species of panfish can be found. Concentrate on the deeper water for perch and crappies, and work the shallows for bluegills.  The east side of the point drops quicker into deep water and will hold larger fish.

There are also a few isolated points and small bays, but they hold only small numbers of bluegill. However, if the action is slow, then buy all means give them a try. Any rock or gravel areas can hold a few perch and should never be passed up.

Over in northern Marinette County, Lake Hilbert is worth pursuing for late ice panfish. Lake Hilbert covers 290 acres with a maximum depth of 32 feet. The bottom consists mainly of sand and muck.  Like Lily Lake, structure is at a premium and shoreline cover is limited. Weed growth is restricted to the bays and a few shoreline areas. Panfish include bluegill, perch, crappie and rock bass. Bluegills and crappies are the most abundant and receive the most pressure.  Crappies in particular can run quite large.

One favorite late season hot spot is the narrows on the east end of the main lake.  This narrow channel acts as a funneling area for fish moving between the two main lake basins. Any remaining baitfish will stack up along the deeper eastern basin. Work the shallows for active bluegill both at dawn and dusk. Bluegills will have only sporadic feeding periods during the day, even during overcast conditions. For best results, make sure you are on the ice well before sunup. Crappies will suspend of the narrows in 10 to 20 foot of water. Use small minnows and vary your depth until active crappies are found.

On the southeast end of the lake there is another narrows at the entrance to the south basin. Like the narrows in the center of the lake, this area sees continuous fish movements. Both sides of the narrows are productive for either crappies or bluegills.  Fish the narrows at dawn and dusk, but move to the drop-off during the day.

Bluegills are also taken along the edge of the shallow south bay. However, concentrate your efforts to the edge of the bay. There is a distinct weedline on the edge of the bay, which is easy to locate. Fishing the weeds will only produce smaller bluegills or perch. The few shoreline points can hold a few bluegill and rock bass.  With only a limited number of panfish present on these points, they aren’t worth pursuing.

One Oconto County Lake that is a proven late season producer is Bass Lake, which is located just a few miles southwest of Lakewood. Bass Lake is a 142-acre clear water lake that features a maximum depth of 40 feet. Perch are the most abundant panfish, although a fine bluegill population is present. Crappies are only found in limited numbers, but some large fish are present. This is another example of a lake with limited structure and cover that turns on at late ice.

The two points on the northwest end of the lake are a good place to get started. Jig for bluegills tight to the point and work perch in deeper water. Bluegills will hit white jigs with wax worms, and perch prefer small minnows. Look for schools of crappies to suspend off the point.  On the southwest end of the lake is a small bay that can hold some nice bluegills late in the season.

These are just a few lakes that should be prime in March. Remember to pick lakes with limited structure, since it will make finding fish all the easier. Also, make sure to check ice conditions, since they change often in March.

For more information on any of these lakes, I have two books, each with 30-lake maps and fishing information. The first Book “Northeast Wisconsin Fishing Guide” covers Marinette and Oconto Counties. The second Book, “Fishing Florence and Forest Counties” covers these counties. For a copy send $9.95 plus $3.00 shipping and Handling to Mike Mladenik, Rt. 2, Crivitz, WI. 54114. For a copy of my new book, “A Guides Secret Smallmouth Patterns” which covers smallmouth bass fishing throughout the seasons, send $10.95 plus $3.00 shipping and handling.

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