Across many northern waters, bass action begins immediately after ice-out. Where catch and release-only spring regulations are implemented in Michigan and Wisconsin, it’s now possible to target largemouth and smallmouth on inland lakes during March and April while other gamefish species remain closed. Nowadays, there is no waiting game for bass seasons to open, or for fish to turn on. It’s no secret that ice-out fishing can be fantastic. Amongst fishing circles, a false narrative exists - that it requires a few additional weeks for largemouths to move into shallow bays, and for smallmouths to follow suit. This is inaccurate. Largemouths are already shallow and feeding much earlier that you might imagine. Smallmouths on the other hand are en route on their deep structural migrations to staging locations where they can heavily concentrate. The vulnerability level of bass at this time is dangerously high. With stubbornness, misinformation, and fair-weather mentalities, it’s easy to understand why masses of anglers ignore ice-out fishing opportunities.   Therapy for Cabin Fever Cabin fever sucks, and it is real in the north if you live cooped up