Last winter, ice-anglers were surprised by river otters that popped out of holes and into ice shanties, according to Gary Fankhauser, fishing department manager at The Bear Paw Company in Rice Lake. Apparently the otters were chasing panfish and came up for air. Using a small-diameter ice auger should prevent otters from paying you an unwelcome visit.

Contact: The Bear Paw Company, at (715) 236-7300 or online at www.thebearpawcompany.com; Rice Lake Chamber of Commerce, 1-800-523-6318 or www.rice-lake.com.

NELSON LAKE
Located just north of Hayward in Sawyer County, 2,500-acre Nelson Lake has long been known for its big bluegills. Nelson produced the state-record bluegill twice and was the first lake in our state to produce a 2-pounder. In the last few years, however, crappies have become the dominant panfish, according to DNR fish biologist Frank Pratt.

This shallow dark-water flowage freezes before most other lakes in the area, and it is not uncommon to have safe ice by the end of the gun deer season. Aside from the Totogatic River channel and abundant stumps, there is little structure here.

Look for crappies and bluegills among the stumps east of Eagle's Nest Pass and along the east shore. Another good spot is Grass Island at the north end. Light tackle, small jigs and wax worms are all you need for the 'gills. Crappies hit well on small minnows, but they will also take jigs and plastics.

Get on the lake at the south end at Gerlach's Landing, off Nelson Lake Road or on the east shore at Etlinger's Landing off Tagalder Trail Road. The daily bag limit is 10 panfish, so count your fish carefully.

Contacts: Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce, (715) 634-8662 or www.hayward.org. Reach Pastika's Sporting Goods at 1-800-844-2159 or www.pastikas.com.

LAKE NOQUEBAY
If you're looking for a mess of big bluegills and don't mind a drive, head for Lake Noquebay just east of Crivitz in Marinette County. At 2,500 acres, Noquebay is a big chunk of ice to figure out, so just look for groups of shanties and set up nearby. Bluegills grow big in this fertile water, and catches of 9- to 10-inchers are common. Since bluegills tend to school by size, keep moving until you find a school of bulls.

The big 'gills like the inside turns and pockets within the deep weedbeds in 18 feet of water. Shallower water holds mainly smaller bluegills.

Light tackle and delicate presentations are a must. If you can manage 1- or 2-pound test line, you'll get more bites, although you'll also lose more fish in the weeds. Use tiny Rat Finkee jigs or other lures designed for a horizontal presentation. Tip them with spikes or Finesse Plastics and make them just barely quiver. Simply holding your rod and letting your pulse move it will often impart enough action to your bait to trigger a strike.

Early and late in the day are the best times to fish. Before you start fishing, try to drill all the holes you think you'll need to avoid spooking these touchy fish. The best access is at Maple Beach Tavern on the northwest shore.

Contacts: Crivitz Recreation Association, at 1-800-274-8480 or online at www.crivitzrecreation.com; Hook, Line 'N' Sinker Bait Shop, (715) 854-2073; guide Mike Mladenik can be reached at (715) 854-2055 or mladfish@ez-net.com.

There are plenty of other good panfish waters in the Badger State, but these should keep you busy until the ice goes out. (Editor's Note: The author's Web site, at www.dansmalloutdoors.com, offers more information on Wisconsin fishing, along with an online catalog that features the Fillet King and other cool products).