01-08-2017, 01:38 PM
[#0000FF]In the years before wipers and shad were such large parts of the Willard ecology, crappies were the main ice fishing target. But there were also lots of walleyes caught through the ice...both on purpose and by anglers targeting crappies.
The numbers of crappies have dropped off greatly since the introductions of wipers and shad. Ditto for walleyes.
Both wipers and walleyes can be taken under the ice at Willard. But since there is little structure or permanent food sources anywhere in the lake, the predators roam around a lot and it takes a combination of luck, timing and skill to find and catch them.
Since all predator species in Willard feed on the same things...mostly shad, crawdads and the young of their own and other species...the same lures you use for one will often catch the others. Tipping with worm, perch meat or Gulp Minnows will also help you entice all species.
Here is an excerpt from my larger writeup on Willard Bay that focuses on ice fishing. Hope it helps.
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The numbers of crappies have dropped off greatly since the introductions of wipers and shad. Ditto for walleyes.
Both wipers and walleyes can be taken under the ice at Willard. But since there is little structure or permanent food sources anywhere in the lake, the predators roam around a lot and it takes a combination of luck, timing and skill to find and catch them.
Since all predator species in Willard feed on the same things...mostly shad, crawdads and the young of their own and other species...the same lures you use for one will often catch the others. Tipping with worm, perch meat or Gulp Minnows will also help you entice all species.
Here is an excerpt from my larger writeup on Willard Bay that focuses on ice fishing. Hope it helps.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]