Mason Dixon Ice Fishing

Type: Nontidal
Region: North Central
Location: Maszon Dixon Line

I took advantage of an extremely narrow window of opportunity to ice fish a few local ponds that had 4-5 inches of clear, hard ice covered by 6 inches of softer 'snow ice' on top. After testing/measuring the ice I caught bass and bluegills on a 1/12 oz gold Kastmaster Spoon tipped with a mealworm about 6 inches to 1 foot off the bottom. These fish were all in about 4 to 5 feet of water and near and in still green weed bed areas. Bass were small, but abundant. Top fish was this outstanding 11 1/4 inch female bluegill that is my new PB for an 'ice caught' bluegill. All fish were released.

After the warming trend this week I would caution anglers to not risk ice fishing under deteriorating conditions that were, only briefly, safe for foot travel for less than a week. Minimum thickness for ice fishing is 4 inches of clear, hard ice. I feel blessed that I was able to enjoy even those two afternoons of ice fishing.