FishnDave

Hey, the MDC understands they gotta feed the bullheads SOMETHING in these sterile, spring-fed ponds. Trout must make good bullhead food? What's a guy to do? I can drive 10 minutes, or I can drive over 3.5 hours each way to catch trout from the same hatchery. 😜 Fishing beautiful bluff-lined, gravel-bottomed, clear-water streams is always preferred...it just isn't always in the cards for the limited time I have to fish. I haven't seen any brown trout up here yet. I heard they stocked some a couple years back to celebrate the anniversary of the program....but I think it was a one-time thing? I haven't kept any.

And toenail fungus. 😬

Those of you that have had it, how old were you? I read they recommend folks 60 and older get the vaccine, but also read that it usually affects folks over 50.

If money was not a factor, you'd want the best equipment, and you wouldn't care what it cost.

They are a problem in a lake that contains Northern Pike?? Those are some JUMBO goldies! I didn't measure many this year, some were pretty large. I think my biggest ones are still from Iowa, some over 12", and at least 2 that were in the 13"-14" range. This one: And this one:

Good for you! Did you manage to get yourself into any group photos?

Ah. I get it. Yeah, I don't ice fish anymore, since we moved here. A hand auger works fine in such situations with ice 8" or less. Later in the season in Iowa, the ice could get 8"-18" thick or more. When its that thick, you really appreciate a gas auger or electric auger. I gave all my ice gear away before we moved to StL. Actually, the IDNR usually cuts holes in the ice to do winter trout stockings with a chain saw! I guess there's more than one way to cut ice...

Do you ice-fish? I've caught common carp while icefishing, and I know a guy that would catch nice goldfish while icefishing....said they were really aggressive in the winter!

Some recaptures showed up, amongst the day's players.

8 Goldfish on Saturday (the 4 above were all Goldfish), and 18 Koi. Glad they were still active.

You get double points if you catch anything called a "Kraken".

Nice! 😀👍

Hey, @Troutnut69 ! What have you been up to? I enjoyed your blog posts of your fishing and camping expeditions for years! Looks like you took a 5 year hiatus from posting there? I hope all is well with you! 👍 😀

Hey! Me too! Went to Iowa State University for Genetics....but quickly changed my major to Biology. Took so many of the "animal" classes that I got a Minor in Fish & Wildlife Biology. Which is why I've been doing CAD work for civil engineering companies for @ 25 years. 😅 During college, I worked at a pharmacy, and did walleye aquaculture research in the college labs.

I've got Cabela's Guidewear bibs and coat. Warm stuff! I've used them for icefishing for years, and any other cold weather fishing. You will not get cold! Room for layers underneath. In winter, I usually wear a short-sleeve Tshirt, a long sleeve T-shirt, and a hoodie under these. But I've got the coat along with the bibs. Are you thinking of just getting the bibs?

This guy has it figured out...are these Tommy Hilfigers?: If you want something tighter...maybe these? Looks like extra reinforcing in the knees, which is a nice feature. 😄

Of course you are right @BilletHead. I've seen no baitfish at all the 2 times I've gone searching for these.

...more Koi: