Usually when I hear guys say fishing is slow they are talking about their "usual hot spots". The walleye are there and will bite somewhere you just have to be willing to move to find them. There are tons of factors that determine fish location ( bait fish, current, traffic on the ice, etc ). I agree that the fish seem to be in smaller schools this year and more spread out, but they are there. There have been many times that 30 yds meant the difference between hammering them and not catching a fish so don't be afraid to make small moves along with the big ones. It looks like we are going to be fishing in March so I would expect to start seeing bigger schools soon.

For us this year the bite has been light for the most part as well. That's where a flasher makes a world of difference. If you are marking fish but aren't catching them you know to change bait size or presentation. I have caught a lot on Rapalas that I only lifted a few inches and then lowered it rather than dropping it back down. They were probably hitting it when I was dropping it, but spitting it before I felt the strike.

It sounds like you have done pretty good this year. I know what you mean though. I'm dying for one of those 50 fish days.