Ice fishing has picked up on Lake Minnewaska and other lakes county-wide as the season continues. Ice on Minnewaska is averaging 16-18 inches deep at this point, but it varies depending on where you are. “You can drive almost anywhere on the lake, but people are starting to plow roads,” said Brock from Last Cast Bait and Tackle in Starbuck.

“Sunnies and crappie are biting in 16-18 feet of water on wax worms, crappie minnows and rosy red minnows near Bottle Bay, DNR landing and Lakeside areas,” Brock added. 

“Walleyes have been seen in anywhere from 12 to 22 feet of water. They’re biting on shiners and rainbow chubs, but they’re very finicky so far,” he said.  Pink, purple and white are good colors to use and they prefer dead stick fishing over jigging. If you catch one, you’ll catch a few. If you catch none, you won’t catch any.”

“West of Priest Point has been kept open longer by waterfowl, so we urge you to use caution in that area for sure,” stated Nancy from Koep’s Bait in Glenwood. 

“The panfish bite remains strong all over the Glenwood end of the lake in the shoreline breaks in 12-16 feet. Crappies are most active in the evenings and at night. Using a spoon for the sunfish can help weed out some of the smaller ones,” she said. “The walleye bite remains decent out in the main lake structure in 15-22 feet of water, but it varies from spot to spot. We recommend a combination of set lines and jigging.”