Ted Peck On Ice Fishing Koshkonong

LAKE KOSHKONONG
This 10,400-acre shallow basin on the Jefferson-Rock county line has an "exceptional" population of adult walleyes, according to Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Don Bush. A dominant year-class of these fish is hovering in size between respectable and trophy status - something the DNR needs to monitor.

If you can find and pattern the fish, icing a limit of 24- to 26-inchers is a real possibility. And that's the scary part. About 15 years ago there was one winter when icing a 28-inch or larger 'eye was something you could almost plan on accomplishing every evening. Every angler was catching - and keeping - huge walleyes. It's taken this long to bring Kosh back. How about establishing a harvest guideline with just one fish over, say, 25 inches allowed? The spring DNR hearings are right around the corner. Trophy fishing could be, too. Or maybe not.

Meanwhile, the key is targeting water over 5 feet deep - away from the crowds - using tip-ups baited with shiners and fathead minnows set about a foot off the bottom. Mobility is important. Tap a bunch of holes before you start fishing, then keep moving the "boards" to stay over active fish.

Time of day isn't as important as natural presentation. Since this is shallow water, it's important to cover the hole. One of those Frabill Igloo Tip-Ups does an excellent job in this capacity.

Ice-angler Steve Glass knows the bounty that swims herein. Stevie says the shortest route to a flag is keeping your eyes open, snowmobile warmed up and mouth shut. And he's absolutely right. We shouldn't even mention nearby Hope Lake as a "Plan B" for bluegills. So we won't.

Riverfront Resort, located on Blackhawk Island at Koshkonong's east end, is a great place to get the skinny on fishing Koshkonong. And Rose's chili is good enough to keep you off the ice just long enough for one more bowl.