You can usually catch both bass and bluegills out of the same hole. The fish cruise around, but do tend to hang close to old reedbeds or other underwater structure. Early in the year you can see the tops of reeds coming up out of the ice but shifting ice tears them loose.
Sometimes you have to move around, drilling holes in different areas, to find where the fish are most abundant. But, once you find some fish they will usually keep coming through most of the day. Drilling several holes in the same area will let you move around, trying to find the shifty little critters. But, often the guy who stays put and fishes intently will catch as many or more than the rover.
Pelican Lake is shallow…usually less than 10 feet deep in most areas. Sometimes the fish hit right on the bottom. Other times they cruise through at mid depth. It pays to raise and lower your jigs from time to time, and to watch your sonar. Rigging with a “high-low” tandem jig rig will also help pick up the fish at different depths…and on different colors.
Small jigs tipped with waxworms are the best for bluegills. White, chartreuse and black are all good colors. I have always done well with small white jigs with a hot red eye…and with a red head, chartreuse body and white tail on a size 6 or 8 hook. Black and gold with a chartreuse eye or tail works well too.
Bass will sometimes hit the same small stuff the bluegill do. I have taken hefty bass on tiny jigs on light rods. But, if you want to target bass, jig a small silver Kastmaster or a 2" white tube or twister. On some days a small plastic worm or larger tube jig will get bit too. A larger jig with a piece of crawler, fished “deadstick” is a good way to fish for cruisers.
Pelican is already a two pole lake. You can set up with one rod rigged heavier for bass and then jig smaller stuff for gills.
**As mentioned in Kayote’s report, there are several areas where you can park and walk out on the ice. I have had good luck all over the lake, once I find the fish. Early in the year they may be more concentrated in one area rather than another. Once a lot of other anglers hit the ice you can usually get a good visual on where the action is. **
Just be courteous. In tha shallow water too much commotion can temporarily spook the fish and send them elsewhere. If you use a power auger, it may take a few minutes before you can expect to get bit. So, drill a few holes and then quietly wait out the fish to return.
In the early season, hand augers are quieter and work fine in the thinner ice. Most of the seasoned Pelican fans prefer using hand augers as long as possible.
