Decent splake, Scouting trip paid off

Last week I checked on a splake lake I've never fished before for ice and access.
Went back today to give it a shot. Turns out, there was a splake in there! Caught it within the first 45min. Not sure if there are any more, cause the rest of my time there, didn't mark anything else!

Nice to finally hook into something that could warp the rod a bit. 21" fish.
Not sure what's up with it's tail...injury when younger?, or maybe it's been swimming just under the ice for the last week scraping the under side, waiting to slam my 3" white tube-jig.

Well done, are you using a machine to get into these lake's out are you just hiking in??
My next toy will be a wheeler or ski doo.

Moose tracks on the way in, bobcat tracks I think (possibly fox) on the way out.

Right now, there's a Toyota involved, and some walking. More snow may require the sled.

It was -14 when I left the house, and -20 when I got to the lake. East wind and me fishing at the west end of the lake 🙄

Wtg! Nice size... keep up the good work! Bobcat tracks? That would be interesting to see a big kitty in the bush

Some good eats there congrats

Nice catch

Hey Drew nice catch for the size of the fish pretty thin whats your thought check the stomach for what they been feeding

Nice splake Drew...it looks like you are on your way to solving the mystery of catching them.

Yeah, I thought that too...fairly long for its weight. Can't say what the norm is on this lake as it's the only splake I've seen outta there. It had one half digested minnow in its stomach, would have been a 4-5" baitfish, maybe a sucker or perch.

Thanks Drew about those bait fish they seem like sunfish or blue gill I saw the same out of some brookies aswell seems like they feed on them you sure gave me the itch to get going you sure started early be safe.

Nice outing Drew! Hopefully heading north this Sunday for my first time out.

Stud

Nice looking splake.