Mantua 1-8-15

[Sirfilletalot]

Be careful when moving around on Mantua this weekend. I spotted 6 or 7 areas similar to these while searching for perch. Fishing was slow, ended up with 6 perch and 3 small bluegill. Released all trout caught, which wasn't many.
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[cbassonafly]

Yikes! Thanks for the report. How thick was the ice you fished?
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[spoondog]

Glad you made it back alright. We were out there yesterday too. There are still a few fish in there though. Hoping it gets cold again so we can go chase a few more.
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[litetackle]

How are the edges and what was workin for the perch???????

[spoondog]

The edges seemed good to me but with warmer temps and warm springs use caution anywhere you are on that pond. I've fished it 3 out of the last 4 days with the same catch rate as we had yesterday. Jigs need to be small and slender or most fish will shy away.(just from a ton of pressure the last week). Biggest thing for success is keying on the beds and a flasher is invaluable. Good luck out there and be safe.
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[lavaman]

That's exactly what I saw out there last Tuesday...but they were a lot smaller.

Be extremely careful out there.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

Cool shot

[Sirfilletalot]

Lavaman,

I went out again yesterday, the fishing was slow. Caught a few small perch and 2 keeper bluegill. The areas of open water were a bit larger and more spread out with thin ice about 10 feet around them. I wouldn't recommend heading out early in the am unless you have a really good light and take your time if walking in the middle of the lake. I spotted at least a dozen soft areas on my way back to the boat ramp around 2 pm.
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[lavaman]

Thanks for the update.

Definitely worth monitoring.
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[Islandboy_46]

Redundant question. But, is anyone out there willing to give anymore updates on the ice condition? Planning on heading up there with the boy around 2ish. But if it's not at least 4-5inches, I'll have to reconsider


Thanks.
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[Sirfilletalot]

The ice is thicker in the north and south bays; however, in the main body of the lake it can go from open water holes to maybe 4" in just a few feet. You have to be careful and pay attention. Some guy came flying across the lake yesterday in a side by side 4 wheeler. I'm surprised he didn't go through one of the many "soft" areas. If you plan on entering on the northeast side, it is soft and muddy for several feet before you can get on the ice due to springs running in. I haven't tried the west access recently. The road on the south levee was a little rough and got really muddy as the temp warmed up.

That's about all I can tell you, just be extra careful especially with dogs and kids.
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[waldocod]

Is it really worth the risk???? Sorry, a few perch and bluegill won't lure me out onto iffy ice
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[Islandboy_46]

Thanks Sirfilletalot! He really wanted to go so we took the drive. We entered just north of the boat ramp and fished north about where the bouys are at. Ice was 5+ inches everywhere we drilled. Of course we were no more than 30 yards out from shore for safety reasons. Slow fishing in that area, but he managed to pull a planter out. So now the hard water fever begins.
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