Burbot eat the darnedest things, Stripe-less perch, Best LiveScope memes

Sorry for the late send! I had to pick up a sick kiddo from daycare early today, so wrapping this up while also on snack duty. Here we go!

If you’re getting Target Walleye for the first time, a friend probably signed you up!

Not the first “stripe-less perch” I’ve seen, but always love me some uniqueness. Here’s a couple of the craziest ones I’ve come across after years of scouring the interwebz….

Lake Gogebic (MI) guide Justin Soffa sees your stripe-less perch and raises you girth:

What in tarnation?! 🤯 I can’t stop staring at that thing.

And then we have Clam + Blackfish Pro Steve Berry who said this naked jumbotron went just over 14″ and clobbered his #3 Rapala Ultra Light Rippin’ Rap (1-1/8″, 1/16-oz). Thought it was a smallmouth bass when he first saw it in the hole – can see where THIS would’ve been a little confusing:

How crazy is that? Awesome fish, man! 👊 Thx much for sending it in.

The only ones reading this right now who aren’t impressed by those fish:

But after using one for over a year now, I actually feel dumb for not getting one earlier. It’s seriously THAT insane. The term “game changer” gets thrown around a lot in the fishing biz, but IMO Garmin could’ve actually named LiveScope the “Game Changer” instead and I’d be 100% good with it.

If you’ve been on the fence about “investing” in one, you absolutely won’t regret it. Can check ’em out here on FishUSA. The last time I felt that type of way (straight-up giddy and mind blown!) about catching fish was when I was watching burbot come up and eat the bait right in front of an underwater camera. #RealLifeVideoGames

If you do run one – or plan to “invest” in one – just promise me one thing: You won’t ever turn your nose up on others who are trying to enjoy this sport we all love so much!

Fishing the same lakes each time out can get a bit stale…plus you’ll probably never stick that new PB (personal best) if you’re pokin’ around the same community holes day after day! Gotta step outta your comfort zone.

There’s a whole bunch of research you can – and should – do before you ever leave your house….

If you fish in MN: LakeFinder is probably one of the biggest not-so-secret secrets of diehard ice-heads. Can search most any lake in the state (by name, or searching the map on the mobile version) and it’ll kick out tasty info like:

   • Whether there’s a public access or not, and where it’s at.
   • Fish stocking info: when, what and how many.
   • Water clarity, quality and levels.
   • And my personal favorite…the DNR’s trap/net data.

That trap/net data (under the “Fisheries Lake Surveys” tab) breaks down the weight and length of all fish sampled by the DNR. It’s a KILLER tool for finding lakes with above-average size fish.

Of course this isn’t just a MN thing. No matter what state or province you’re in, there’s likely some sort of DNR survey info out there that can help you find productive water.

Here’s how fish-head Tom Boley goes about snoopin’, and how he tackles those lakes that do NOT have great mapping. #10’contours?🤦‍♂️

If those things will eat a dang rock 😂 then it’s no surprise Blake Thelen stumbled into THIS mess:

> Blake: “Woke up to my bobber down, must have caught the walleye first and the eelpout came and tried to eat the entire walleye. Never seen anything like it.”

Jim Hudson was a well-known fishing guide, and one of the most respected fishermen in the Midwest. He was born and raised in Bayfield, and after working 10 years as a member of the Bayfield Police Dept, he left the force to devote himself full-time to growing his Lake Superior fishing guide service.

If you haven’t heard the gut-wrenching story of how he tragically broke through the ice…it’s tough to read. 😔 If it can happen to Jim, it can happen to anyone. 🙏✝️ Rest easy, fishing brother!

2. MN: Brainerd $150K ice extravaganza is THIS weekend.

The world’s largest charity ice-fishing contest – something everyone’s gotta experience at least once – is set for Jan 29 on Gull Lake’s Hole-in-the-Day Bay.

Spoiler alert: History is going to be made….

All 15,000 holes will be drilled with StrikeMaster Lithium 40vs! That’s right, an electric auger takeover!! SM shipped up 60 of their Lithium 40vs and 180 extra batteries.

I know the volunteers who will be drilling those 15,000 holes will definitely appreciate 1) an auger that starts on the first pull every time, 2) being able to hear themselves think and talk, and 3) there being zero gas spilled on the ice because one click and the tank is topped off again. 😏

3. ND: Devils Lake Volunteer Fire Dept tourney happenin’ Sat.

More than $325K [!] in prizes at the 38th annual derby on 6 Mile Bay. Looks like they have sold-out of all 24,000 tickets! 😳

4. MN: Stop dumping your sewage on the lake!

Folks with RV-style wheelhouses…. The DNR has already received 4 sewage dumping complaints on Upper Red Lake just in the month of January. 😡 Disgusting. Poop in a bucket like the rest of us lol.

5. MN: Burbot are no longer considered rough fish.

And will be listed as a game fish in the 2022 MN fishing regulations booklet. Better late than never! Though I could have sworn they were listed as a gamefish in the 2021 reg book already too…. Burbot are actually a sign of a healthy fishery. Really hope to see some limits set on them in the future.

Btw I’ve been hearing of more and more being caught on Mille Lacs this season, sort of like the “good ‘ol days” when folks said they caught ’em all the time. And if you didn’t know Mille Lacs has a special regulation in place this year where all burbot caught must be immediately released.

6. Sportsman’s Warehouse wants 300+ stores.

Reminder that they were gonna be bought by Bass Pro Shops but that deal didn’t get done because of gov’t regulation.

7. Rather Outdoors (Strike King, Lew’s) gets ex-Rapala dude.

> …Zack Swanson will join the North American operation on Feb 1 to lead the legendary brands of Lew’s, Strike King, Zebco and Quantum as sr VP of brand management. Swanson joins the Rather family following a career spanning over 2 decades at Rapala VMC Corp, where he served as VP of sales and GM.

8. SD: Sioux Falls “Ice Fish Fest” happenin’ Jan 29.

9. ID: AFS 2022 Ice Fishing Derby, Jan 29.

This Saturday at Sportsman’s Park on the west side of American Falls Reservoir.

10. MN: Poles ‘N Holes ice derby happenin’ Feb 19

On the north side of Little Detroit Lake.

11. JB Lures has legit 24K gold-plated lures.

> “Genuine 24K gold is by far the most expensive finish for a lure – so why do we offer so many products that are gold plated, when most manufacturers avoid [it] because of the cost? It’s simple really = gold-plated lures catch fish!

> “…NOTHING offers flash and visibility like genuine gold does. A fish can’t eat something it can’t find, and gold offers a flash and visibility that can’t be duplicated with paint or hologram finishes.”

Here’s a look at a couple of those, the Gold Back Weasels (left) and Gem-N-Eye Gold Backs (right):

Ice fishing an inexpensive winter hobby….

I mean it can be. BUT it isn’t be. 🤣

“Community hole” crappies (wacky rigs for panfish?)

No one (I think?) likes fishing around crowds…but sometimes that’s just where the majority of fish are, or it may be the only area you can access. Here’s a few things to try that can help you ice more panfish in all the ruckus:

National Professional Anglers Assoc. 

MN-FISH