One last time???

With February coming to a close, so is the ice fishing season.  Each year at this time I always wonder if today was the last time to ice fish this winter.  If it was, it was a fun day on the ice at Hickory Grove Lake.  As the ice season winds down it is vital to put safety first and foremost when stepping out on the ice.  Rope, ice picks and the buddy system are necessities this time of year.  Mark Anderson and Jacy Large were able to join me on the ice today.  We hit several areas and almost the entire lake was in pretty decent shape throughout most of the morning.  However, the 65+ degree weather ate the ice away under our feet.  By early afternoon we could see the ice changing color to the deep, dark blue color which only means that it was soaking up water and becoming weak.  We had to take our time and avoid those dark-colored ice areas.  Safety first, and we were able to enjoy a great day on the ice.
As for the fishing, it was typical Hickory Grove at its best.   The bluegills were numerous and of good keeper size.  The Vexilar FLX-28s were constantly on the move checking holes for active fish.  Between channel swings, flats and brushpiles we were able to have  a blast chasing fish all around the lake.  I was able to catch 6 different species of fish, which covers just about everything that swims at Hickory Grove; bluegill, white crappie, black crappie, green sunfish, largemouth bass, and a channel catfish.  The weather was perfect, almost hot at times as we enjoyed perhaps one of the last times on the ice for this winter.
Stay safe out there, and travel north if you are looking to extend your ice fishing season.  Use caution and the safety items mention previously, have fun and good luck!