09-10 Ice-Fishing Reports

[Phil]

There was a group of 5 in front of the Black Bay Cam this afternoon.
The season has started. I'll be up in MileArm tomorrow.

[Phil]

Fished MileArm Bay today - Got on the lake at BackBay Campground and found 5 1/2 to 6 1/2" of good black clear ice everywhere we went.
Action was extremely slow and the weather was "c-c-c-c-cold". Not many folks out fishing. Good early start to the ice season.

[Phil]

We fished across from Upper Big Bay on Tuesday Dec. 22. Near the end of the Demot Rd. Got a couple of pike to eat (23 and 25").
Measured 10" of ice.

[Sparky489]

Thanks for the reports Phil -- Almost as good as being there myself!!

[Phil]

Fished Upper Big Bay again yesterday afternoon. Couple of flags - no fish.
Guess they aren't always on the "bite".

[Mooma]

Keep them reports coming....it's great to hear what's going on up there A few buddies and I are planning a trip up to Black with our sons in a few weeks.....I've been "soft' water fishing there but never ice fishing. Can't wait.......and ANY tips would be greatly appreciated

Free the Fighter!!!

[Phil]

Fished the "upper" end of Conger Island with my son and we hit 'em pretty good.
Eight Pike and four Bass. We kept enough pike to feed the, home for the holidays family.





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[billbo]

nice ones Phil

[sasnyder]

Phil.
The pictures are awsome. Thanks for sharing them.

[wildchild]

I was wondering how you fillet your Pike? I am a very new at filleting fish and I could only get a little strip out of them. Any pointers would be greatful. Also what are some good way to cook these up?

Oh and Awsome catch!!

[Phil]

I was wondering how you fillet your Pike? I am a very new at filleting fish and I could only get a little strip out of them. Any pointers would be greatful. Also what are some good way to cook these up?

Oh and Awsome catch!!

Well - it's pretty difficult to explain. This youtube video is close to what I do but not quite.
I take initial filets off by "carving" them off the ribcage, i.e. leave the ribcage on the carcass. The video technique should be just fine. Larger fish are easier because the bones are bigger. Good luck, give me a shout sometime when you are up fishing and have a pike to clean.
Cooking - I like them breaded and fried like any other fish. You can cook them any way you might cook other fish.

[Phil]

Fished up in the Narrows today with a couple of guys from the Pulaski area. It was S-L-O-W. We were targeting Walleye. I got a couple of small crappie and a small pike. Those guys, a 10lb. Catfish. No walleye to be had today.
Ice was about 9" and good all the way up the lake. There were a couple of full-sized pickups out there today and LOTS of people fishing.

[wildchild]

Thanks for the link, looks simple enough. Probably takes a little practice. I guess I'll have to catch bigger pike than I did last year. I was trying to fillet pike in the 23 inch range, didn't go real well. Tasty though.

[Slate97]

Is the main road to Back Bay Campground which is off County Route 3 plowed during the winter?
Do the campground owners care if you park your vehicles on their property while you go out onto the ice?

[Phil]

Is the main road to Back Bay Campground which is off County Route 3 plowed during the winter?
Do the campground owners care if you park your vehicles on their property while you go out onto the ice?

It is plowed and it is "private". Unless you have permission, you will be trespassing. The road in there is pretty hazardous in the winter; so much so that I would rather drive my 4-wheeler up the lake, or in from the Rossie Road.