Hows the bite in Feb on NIP, Early Feb

Hey just looking for some feedback from the more experienced fishers on Nip.
I know 1st ice Jan is supposed to be a great bite but since I am heading up the 1st week of Feb, am I hitting a transition time? Just wondering if the bite changes drastically. I expect more finesse will be in order after the fish get pounded on through Jan.

I usually go up Super Bowl weekend, sometimes it's hot, other times you really have to work for em.
Also depends how long the operator huts have been in the same spot.
I'm sure you'll do fine.
Cheers!

Thanks Mark

Hard water on Nip is great from start to finish the lake gets fished hard but the lake is big and some spots don't even see a line to me its awesome at the start of the season and is ok at the end ,,,, see yas out there

Weather conditions usually play a role - low pressure is always best.

Thanks guys, hoping they move our condo to virgin grounds just before we get there

The first few months on Nip are the best after that things are up and down this year looks to be a good season water is up 2 feet from last year will see what it brings

thanks.....

Hey Fishchaser,
If you post in the wrong spot the easiest thing to do is copy your post then click the delete button above your unwanted post. Go to the correct thread and ad your post, just paste your old text into the new.

Virgins on virgin ice, if you guys don't get lucky up there

Weather can play a big part on how your weekend will turn out, a big drop in the temp. upon arrival will usually slow the fishing down but you can't beat mother nature. The good thing is you are up for four days so temps should vary while you are there. Either way I would bring the chips because there is going to be fish.

I was up there last year Family day weekend with my wife. We fished out of South Bay and did fantastic 12 walleye in the three hours we were there. We were pretty deep 50" water and -25*

It all depends on the weather. Strong cold fronts slow down the bite, many times. It is the transition to a strong cold front that is bad for the bite, not the cold. When it stabilizes whether it is cold or warmer doesn't matter the fishing will be normal. When we have a warm front and a storm pushing in the fishing can be lightning quick. But when the cold front comes in behind, bam back to difficult to normal fishing. Also depends on hut location, quality of fishing gear, and the experience of the individual ice fisher in hooking and landing fish.

Thanks for all the replies guys, I am getting excited and still a month away "chips" Will add spuds & oil to the list. I am aware of how wind and barometric pressure effects fish but thought the eyes or better stated the baitfish may start to transition towards different depths or structure in Feb.

your right, everything moves deeper in February. perch, minnows go deeper because that is where the best oxygen/temp will be, and the walleyes follow and push schools of minnows to their liking. The predators play a big role in where they want the hunt to take place. That's why little holes, breaks, rock piles, points, shoals with access to deep water are great because they give the walleye something they can use to corral fast shiners/perch/ciscoes into trouble.

I am after BIG walleyes this year! Catch and Release for me, I just need a picture.

Right now, shallow water is still great for BIG walleyes because there is still oxygen, weeds and temperate water in the shallows. Walleye will hunt there until there is no more profit, then move deeper.

Garnet will stay on fish with new shoals.

As mentioned weather is a big factor. Irregardlesss you guys will catch.

Suggest you take you pop-ups and maybe try a deeper pocket of water on your own. he will show you where.

Go ultralight rods for 1 setup..usually works best for us 2nd outfit is jigging rod combo with whatever works best for you.

try some night fishing.can be hot or cold.

All Nip virgins need to be intiated with a mud-puppy in your sleeping bag