December 2014 — John Gillespie's Waters & Woods

December 2014

Episode 49
First Ice
Show Date: December 6th & 7th, 2014
Location: Pike Chain; Iron River, Wisconsin
Guide: Josh Teigen [715-813-0575 | joshteigen.com ]

It’s that time of year, first ice! We’ve been in some cold weather this fall, and it’s finally enough to get some of the small lakes in northern Wisconsin to freeze enough to fish on. We are with Captain Josh Teigen on the Pike Chain to set Beaver Dams for pike, and jig for crappies. Josh tells us when pike fishing early ice, you want to set up in weeds. A few of our tip-ups are set in just 1 foot of water, with the bait just below the bottom of the ice. Jigging crappies is also a blast, and for this we’re using a Kastmaster tipped with spikes or small plastics.

Episode 50
Petenwell Ice Fishing
Show Date: December 13th & 14th, 2014
Location: Petenwell Flowage, Adams County, WI
Guide: Pro Guide Larry Smith [920-361-4996 | walleyeguide.com]

Larry Smith is always on the bleeding edge of the hot bite, and he is one of the first people on the ice in central part of the state to get out on the fresh ice that’s covered the Petenwell Flowage. Located in Adams County, the Petenwell Flowage has crappies, walleye, catfish, whitebass, as well as a few other species. We travel during day 1, stopping and fishing a total of 6 spots. Larry tells us a key to ice fishing is the ability to move around quickly to track down fish. Day 2, we stay settled in the best spot, and set tip-ups, and jig; catching walleye crappie and catfish. We are using live bait for the tipups, and Kastmasters for jigging.

Episode 51
Northwoods Ice Fishing
Show Date: December 20th &21st, 2014
Location: Vilas County, Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Rob Manthei [715-477-2042 | robmanthei.com]
Accommodations: St. Germain Lodge [ StGermainLodge.com ]

We’re up in the the beautiful Northwoods of Wisconsin to get out on the ice for the first time this year, and we’ve got a great crew with us. We’re guided by Rob Manthei, and are joined by Robs ice co-guide Brett Jolly. We’re also joined by Brett’s Dad and Son.

We are mostly tip-up fishing, targeting pike and walleye. We are set up in weeds, using minnows. There isn’t much time to jig because the tip-up bite gets really hot.