yeah a hot crappie bite a couple of years ago, sorry I just couldn't resist seeing how long it takes to get the 200 views to get the flames rolling.
As of today, I'm still finding some pan fish in the same deep water areas as the past month, There are some moving to the break lines as they do mid to late winter. It's time to hit those spots that you remember fishing as a kid. The traditional fishing haunts are just starting to produce. Anyone fishing the break by the creek on Charlie? Lake Ida bays, and what about Le'Hommedeu? There's too many spots to list in the area, They're popular for a reason. Get out and do some fishing!

Anybody out on the lake north of Evansville? I know you emailed me last year. You said you know Rich K. from up there. He and I where thinking it may be time to try it again. Last year was slow when we tried.

Nope, I haven't been on Johanna as of lately. It really has not been fished for 2 years, It got hammered Then and really didn't recover yet. I think it will produce some crappies 12 inchers, just not many. The next year class that was prevalent was the 3-4 inchers. They should be reaching the 10 inch mark in 1-2 years. My friend tried it a couple times earlier in the year, no crappies either time. Access to the lake is limited to those who have permission or go off the bike trail on the south end. The road right of way was deemed private by the Conservaton officer 2 years ago and is posted. It's a toss up whether it is or not, just not worth the trouble it may cause.

Thanks for the input. I know Rich has a relative on the lake if we want to try it.

Cool, 200 hits on this topic in less than one day!
TG, I'd try by the inlet to the bay, or point on either side of it. They haven't been in the middle. Good luck!

FISHERKING, where is this Lake johanna that you're talking about, is it the one SW of Brooten? Where is this bike trail?

The Johanna I am talking about is about .5 mile North of Evansville off of county rd 1. There is a bike, snowmobile trail on the south end, it used to be the old BN railroad. the old rail bed is 15 feet at about a 1-1 grade, pretty steep. It would be better to seek permission from one of the landowners if the steepness is a problem.
Another lake that hasn't been fished much of recent and holds a bunch of crappies, however not real big, is lobster. The north bays as well as the old reliable pan fish spot off of the intersection of I 94 and co rd 14 (Garfield Lowry exit). It simply does not get fished heavily as they closed the access on that end a few years ago.

FisherKing, didn't you hear about Lobster!!!! All the crappies left last year. Ya that's it, they left last year. We don't have any crappies here any more... they went to Mina, ya Mina I'm sure of it..

Oops, maybe I meant Oscar ! Sorry for stepping on any toes, You may be right , they have been targeting the West end of Mina pretty heavily this winter, Heard some good reports. Guess all I'm getting at is there aren't many people fishing. What's up with Louise? Looks like a ghost lake, Brophy too, Not right for this time of the year. The Ice is in the best shape it has been and there's lots of opportunity for fishing, it may take a bit more work, not being able to drive to many spots, but there should be more fish because they haven't been hit hard.

Was just by Louise, that tight grouping of houses is still on that center lake hole. Must be something other than beer drinking going on.

Wayne...I heard all the crappies that left Lobster went to noonan's pond!...Yeah, its a pretty good bite, but you can't really get on there until after 9pm when they close the warming house!..

Ya, and the great part is, if you fall thru the ice you don't go very deep.

fisherking...who are you? I'm from Brandon....Brad Klimek

Brad, I am Brent Olson aka fisherking01. I think you were from Brandon, I am still! Saw your mom at the BB game tonight. We got beat out on free throws, again! not much changes but the faces!
ghoiterman, I gill netted noonans last week, nothing! (for those who do not get the joke, Noonans is a city duck pond/skating rink, and the above mentioned activity never really happened. it was intended as a joke and I apologize to any who may have read it before this explaination.) My brother told me of a really hot crappie bite that happened a couple weeks ago. I asked him why he didn't let me in on it and he told me "what comes around goes around". Guess that's a good thing, nice thing is he doesn't keep many fish either. They'll be there for another fight another day.
Agape, I learned how to pronounce your name today!

Agape, ghoiterman,

Did you guys ever hit the crappie and perch bites on Lake Henry in the early 80's? I can still picture the green water the first time I drilled through! Reminded me of ghoiterman's Noonans comment.