Photo by Dan Donarski JR.

A friend of mine used to quip that most of Wisconsin has five months of good fishing and seven months of poor ice conditions. In the southern part of our state, you could change those numbers to four and eight, respectively. That statement, although meant in jest, is a fairly accurate assessment of the Badger State's fantastic ice-fishing opportunities.

Across the state, armies of ice-anglers venture out onto every conceivable body of water, from farm ponds to the two Great Lakes. Most of them are after panfish such as perch, bluegills and crappies. In winter, these species often congregate in great numbers, making them easy pickings for the angler with the right gear and know-how. The ice-fishing harvest on some waters equals or exceeds that during open water, even though the winter season is shorter.

Here's a look at a handful of Wisconsin's top winter panfishing waters, with enough tips to help you get in on the great action they provide.

LAKE WAUBESA & UPPER MUD LAKE
Located on the Yahara River just downstream from Lake Monona in Madison, Lake Waubesa and Upper Mud Lake offer a fantastic winter ice fishery for bluegills and crappies, with enough perch tossed in to make an outing interesting.

Waubesa is shallow and quite fertile, so its panfish are abundant and fast-growing. Look for bluegills and crappies over two humps on the west side known as "Hog Island." These humps come up to within 6 or 8 feet of the surface, and they hold panfish all winter long. The waters off Goodland Park, also on the west shore, are another good place for both species. The dropoff along the east shore off the Yahara River outlet at Babcock Park also holds bluegills and crappies. This is a good late-winter crappie spot, especially at night. Try tiny jigs tipped with plastic tails or wax worms for both species. Perch hang out in deep water off Rockford Heights, where you'll find them schooled just off the mud bottom. Tiny gold jigs tipped with spikes should take them.

Get on the lake on the east side either north or south of the Yahara River outlet, which usually stays open through the winter. Goodland Park is a good access on the west shore and the best if you're driving an ATV or snowmobile.

The deep hole in Upper Mud Lake usually holds bluegills in winter. To get there, simply walk under the railroad trestle at the north end of Waubesa and head for the petroleum storage tanks.

Contacts: D&S Bait, Tackle and Archery at (608) 241-4225 or online at www.dsbait.com; Ron Barefield's Fishing Adventures Guide Service, at (608) 838-8756.

BEAVER DAM LAKE & FOX LAKE
These two Dodge County lakes hold tons of panfish. They are popular ice-fishing destinations, but there always seems to be room for more anglers, even on the busiest days. Crappies are the main attraction on both lakes, although both also give up some nice bluegills and perch.

Beaver Dam was drawn down and treated for carp a decade ago, and both panfish and game-fish populations have responded well. The lake is shallow, with little structural diversity, so panfish tend to roam here. Look for subtle changes in depth, sometimes only a foot or so, which hold fish much the way sharp dropoffs do on deeper lakes. Don't spend a lot of time in one place. Instead, move around until you locate fish.

In the winter, crappies bite best early and late, from sundown until about 9 a.m. Look for them wherever you find rock or hard bottom. In late winter, crappies tend to congregate in the deeper water near the city of Beaver Dam. The best action often comes just as a front is moving through, but be wary of storms that can dump a foot or more of snow in short order. Try jigging with small silver spoons to locate fish, then switch to small shiners on a slip-bobber rig. Don't be surprised if you catch walleyes on these baits, too.