Getting Started Ice Fishing
Once you’ve gathered the required gear and determined the ice is safe it’s time to go fishing.
If there’s one important piece of advice beyond making sure the ice is safe it is to dress warmly. Any activity outdoors in cold weather requires warm clothing. This is especially true of ice fishing. Always dress more warmly, with more layers than you think you will need. Unlike many outdoor activities you probably won’t be moving much while ice fishing. You can always shed layers if it turns out to be warmer than expected.
As with any fishing endeavor one of the first tasks is to settle on the species you’re after. Once the species being targeted is decided, it’s time to decide on equipment, bait and location.
Equipment Considerations
Matching the equipment to the species is generally the same as any other type of fishing. The larger the species the heavier the equipment should be. Long rods and huge baits are rarely called for though. In general a short rod with reel that will handle line up to 14 lb test is sufficient for even the largest species such as musky, pike and lake trout. When fishing for panfish and smaller trout a very sensitive, short rod with reel that will handle line up to 6 lb test is adequate.
Small Bait Size is Important
Bait, lures, jigs, etc. (hereafter referred to as baits) can be down-sized from warm water situations. Pare down the size of baits to the smallest size normally used for a given species during other times of the year. Most fish are very lethargic in their feeding habits through the ice season. Using smaller baits will bring more strikes and increase your hook-up rate. As well use the lightest line you think you can get away with and set the drag on the lighter side of snug. Monofilament lines with low memory and high abrasion resistance are the best choice for ice fishing.
Location, Location, Location
Locating fish is not as daunting a task as it may seem. The old adage “90 % of the fish are located in 10% of the water” holds true during the ice season too. Using a systematic approach will help you home in on that 10% of the water. The most important factor in ice fish location is almost always depth. The depth varies from one lake to another but once the magic depth is located it can be productive throughout the season. Depth preferences of fish species are similar to their preferences during the rest of the year. For instance, you shouldn’t look for lake trout in 6 feet of water or yellow perch at 40 feet.
If you are familiar with the lake being fished use that knowledge to locate drop-offs, points, ledges and other structures that normally hold fish. Fish these structures looking for the area where the structure meets the magic depth. I prefer to start shallow and progress to deeper water. Rarely will good numbers of any species be located in water less than 6 feet under the ice.
If you are unfamiliar with the lake you’re fishing an area with a large number of old holes is always a good place to start. When fishing a large unfamiliar lake it may be a good idea to stop in at the local bait store and ask as many questions as you can.
Fish Close to the Bottom of the Lake
One of the reasons depth is so important when ice fishing is the fish tend to stay very close to the bottom structure. While searching for that magic depth where the fish are located concentrate your efforts within a foot of the bottom. Many times a bait positioned within an inch of the bottom is the most productive. Where multiple rods or lines are allowed, try positioning each at a different interval from the bottom until the best location is determined.
Jigging Versus Still Fishing
Most species of fish can be consistently taken through the ice by simply still fishing a bait in the determined effective depth. This technique involves simply lowering a bait to the preferred depth and waiting for a strike. As many fish are caught through the ice using this technique is any other. There are times however when movement in the bait is preferred by the fish.
Jigging is nothing more than adding up and down movement to the bait. At times movements of a few inches will bring strikes and other times a foot or more of movement does the trick. Often a slight movement of a bait that has been sitting for some time will bring an immediate strike.
Be Prepared to Try Something Different
As with any fishing situation there are factors that affect fish behavior beyond our immediate understanding. Fishing through the same hole as the day before can bring completely different results. Don’t be afraid to change techniques and try different movements and depths if the fishing is slow.
If yesterday’s location is stingy on strikes a move of as little as three feet along a bottom structure can make a huge difference. Don’t be hesitant to move around from day to day.
Ice fishing can be tremendous fun and a great activity on a mild winter day. Other days it can be just an excuse to get outside but you’ll never know which until you get out and try.
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