Came across this pic from Brandon Beckman who caught and released a stripe-less perch in northern MN. How cool is that?

Not the first "stripe-less perch" I've seen, but always love me some uniqueness. Here's a couple of the craziest ones I've come across after years of scouring the interwebz....

Lake Gogebic (MI) guide Justin Soffa sees your stripe-less perch and raises you girth:

What in tarnation?! 🤯 I can't stop staring at that thing.

And then we have Clam + Blackfish Pro Steve Berry who said this naked jumbotron went just over 14" and clobbered his #3 Rapala Ultra Light Rippin' Rap (1-1/8″, 1/16-oz). Thought it was a smallmouth bass when he first saw it in the hole – can see where THIS would've been a little confusing:

How crazy is that? Awesome fish, man! 👊 Thx much for sending it in.

The only ones reading this right now who aren't impressed by those fish:

Okay, okay, I'm done.

No doubt you'll have to cough up some serious coin to get your hands on a Garmin LiveScope Ice Fishing Bundle – believe me, I can still relate to this meme:

But after using one for over a year now, I actually feel dumb for not getting one earlier. It's seriously THAT insane. The term "game changer" gets thrown around a lot in the fishing biz, but IMO Garmin could've actually named LiveScope the "Game Changer" instead and I'd be 100% good with it.

If you've been on the fence about "investing" in one, you absolutely won't regret it. Can check 'em out here on FishUSA. The last time I felt that type of way (straight-up giddy and mind blown!) about catching fish was when I was watching burbot come up and eat the bait right in front of an underwater camera. #RealLifeVideoGames

If you do run one – or plan to "invest" in one – just promise me one thing: You won't ever turn your nose up on others who are trying to enjoy this sport we all love so much!

Still blows my mind how it wasn't that long ago when fish symbols/alarms were THE big thing. This bring back any memories?

Now folks like Bradley Parnell (from down in Alabamie) can just be like, "Oh hey, there's an alligator over there" LOL

Choot 'em, Jacob! 🐊

Fishing the same lakes each time out can get a bit stale...plus you'll probably never stick that new PB (personal best) if you're pokin' around the same community holes day after day! Gotta step outta your comfort zone.

There's a whole bunch of research you can – and should – do before you ever leave your house....

If you fish in MN: LakeFinder is probably one of the biggest not-so-secret secrets of diehard ice-heads. Can search most any lake in the state (by name, or searching the map on the mobile version) and it'll kick out tasty info like:

That trap/net data (under the "Fisheries Lake Surveys" tab) breaks down the weight and length of all fish sampled by the DNR. It's a KILLER tool for finding lakes with above-average size fish.

Of course this isn't just a MN thing. No matter what state or province you're in, there's likely some sort of DNR survey info out there that can help you find productive water.

Here's how fish-head Tom Boley goes about snoopin', and how he tackles those lakes that do NOT have great mapping. #10'contours?🤦‍♂️

Was sent this awesomeness from Brady Sykora (fellow Walleye Wacker) who caught this plump burbot near the NW Angle on Lake of the Woods. Fish was chock full of 50 crayfish and even had 3 rocks in its stomach but still had the audacity to scarf-up Brady's "pink scale" color Lindy Glow Spoon. Unreal!

If those things will eat a dang rock 😂 then it's no surprise Blake Thelen stumbled into THIS mess:

I just love those paunchy critters so much.

- That's Floyd Hodge's caption under this pic in the Ice Fishing Minnesota FB group:

Pretty cool! Funny enough the guy who's fish house it was, Adrian Belden, saw the pic and commented under the original post with a couple snaps of the inside:

Jim Hudson was a well-known fishing guide, and one of the most respected fishermen in the Midwest. He was born and raised in Bayfield, and after working 10 years as a member of the Bayfield Police Dept, he left the force to devote himself full-time to growing his Lake Superior fishing guide service.

If you haven't heard the gut-wrenching story of how he tragically broke through the ice...it's tough to read. 😔 If it can happen to Jim, it can happen to anyone. 🙏✝️ Rest easy, fishing brother!

The world's largest charity ice-fishing contest – something everyone's gotta experience at least once – is set for Jan 29 on Gull Lake's Hole-in-the-Day Bay.

All 15,000 holes will be drilled with StrikeMaster Lithium 40vs! That's right, an electric auger takeover!! SM shipped up 60 of their Lithium 40vs and 180 extra batteries.

I know the volunteers who will be drilling those 15,000 holes will definitely appreciate 1) an auger that starts on the first pull every time, 2) being able to hear themselves think and talk, and 3) there being zero gas spilled on the ice because one click and the tank is topped off again. 😏

More than $325K [!] in prizes at the 38th annual derby on 6 Mile Bay. Looks like they have sold-out of all 24,000 tickets! 😳

Folks with RV-style wheelhouses.... The DNR has already received 4 sewage dumping complaints on Upper Red Lake just in the month of January. 😡 Disgusting. Poop in a bucket like the rest of us lol.

And will be listed as a game fish in the 2022 MN fishing regulations booklet. Better late than never! Though I could have sworn they were listed as a gamefish in the 2021 reg book already too.... Burbot are actually a sign of a healthy fishery. Really hope to see some limits set on them in the future.

Btw I've been hearing of more and more being caught on Mille Lacs this season, sort of like the "good 'ol days" when folks said they caught 'em all the time. And if you didn't know Mille Lacs has a special regulation in place this year where all burbot caught must be immediately released.

Reminder that they were gonna be bought by Bass Pro Shops but that deal didn't get done because of gov't regulation.

This Saturday at Sportsman's Park on the west side of American Falls Reservoir.

On the north side of Little Detroit Lake.

Here's a look at a couple of those, the Gold Back Weasels (left) and Gem-N-Eye Gold Backs (right):

I mean it can be. BUT it isn't be. 🤣

No one (I think?) likes fishing around crowds...but sometimes that's just where the majority of fish are, or it may be the only area you can access. Here's a few things to try that can help you ice more panfish in all the ruckus:

Yup, big crappies seem to like wacky rigs (aka the VMC Tungsten Mustache Jig) as much as open-water bass do. 🎯

This one goes out to our Canadian friends up there in America's hat:

More proof we need to be using bigger baits for walleyes.... 👀 Alex Reslock's last fish of the 2021 open-water season was a 28" walleye that took down a 12" muskie bait! Wild:

This snap from Berkley's Instagram might be the best 'gill glamor shot I've seen. 😍

National Professional Anglers Assoc.