(THIS IS MY COLUMN FROM TODAY IN THE JOURNAL STAR)
The big boy was grumbling before we started shivering.
“Dude, I don’t think those fish are going to bite in
this cold,” Chef Todd said.
That’s usually his way of saying, “Let’s stay
home.”
Not this time. Cold or not, we needed a good ice fishing
outing. And Nate Herman of Herman Brothers Pond Management had
sent enough pictures of big bluegill to keep us on the hook.
Thank goodness for that. Despite Monday’s frigid
conditions, the fish bit. The ice was plenty thick. And cold
didn’t chase us off frozen Peoria County water until we’d
caught about 70 fish, including bluegill up to 9˝ inches.
“A few of those were Boone & Crockett bluegills,”
Chef Todd said. “This was a good trip.”
Yes it was. If you haven’t been out ice fishing yet,
now’s the time to take advantage of what is shaping up as
the best hard-water winter in years.
While edges of some ponds were shaky even last weekend,
that’s no longer true. Ice reports range from 4 to 14
inches, with 6-8 inches fairly common.
And while fishing action is hit-and-miss, there have been
hotspots. Strip-mine panfishing is improving in Fulton County,
farm ponds are good most places and crappie are still gobbling
minnows at Lake Storey.
“It seems like the main bite is late afternoon and early
evening,” said Al Hayden of Al’s Sporting Goods in
Galesburg.
Then again, we fared well in the morning at two man-made
lakes we visited with the Herman brothers, Nate and Justin.
Ours was one of several successful outings they’ve had in
the past few weeks.
In addition to pond management duties, the Hermans guide
for open-water trout and for ice fishing. Visit
hbpondmanagement.com or call (309) 303-5691.
