The walleye season has left us once again, but not before we were able to put some final walleye on the ice!  As many anglers have a tradition to fish the opening of the walleye season, I also have a tradition to fish the last day of the walleye season.  We were able to catch some very nice walleye and finish off the season with a great meal of walleye!  As sad as I am to see the walleye season go, it does free me up to concentrate on fishing panfish.  Late ice is one of the best times of the year to catch big panfish!

I will be hitting the ice hard over the next month in search of the big sunfish and crappie the Alexandria area is noted for.  Currently, the fish are in relatively deep water, but once the snow starts to melt the fish will start to move shallower.  I’m finding most panfish 2-3 feet off the bottom in 15-20 feet of water.  The edges of deep holes or sand flats with weeds have been holding the majority of the fish.

Over the next few weeks the sunfish and crappie bite will just get better and better.  Couple that with some mild weather and it’s tough to find an activity more fun than watching your kids pull fish through the hole!  The ice fishing season is far from over, so if you have questions about fishing in the Alexandria area just email me and I’ll do my best to help. See you on the ice!