ASK ERIC
Now that's a fish...er, a...mammal!
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ICE FISHING FOR TROUT
Deep-water lake trout feed best during the day, presumably when they can see the best. Shallow water trout feed best during dusk and dawn.
Most deep-water trout are caught on tip-ups, but you need a lot of fishing line on the spool. Use smelt or cisco or suckers.
You will also need fairly heavy fishing line-preferably 25 to 30 lb. line on your tip-up.
In early season, the fish will be at mid-depth 50-90 feet down.
Late in the season trout move shallow.
A favorite for ice fishing trout is called an 'airplane' jig. This jig covers a lot of water as it's jigged and creates just the right movement that attracts lake trout.
ICE FISHING FOR WALLEYE
Ice fishing for walleye is relatively new to the scene. In fact new magazines are popping up all the time dedicated to ice fishing for Walleye.
Walleyes and sauger are light sensitive and tend to bite best around dawn and dusk. They also tend to bite the best at first ice.
Walleye are usually taken by jigging when ice fishing, although tip-ups are becoming more popular.
Typical tackle consists of:
- slip bobber rig
- 6 to 8 lb line
- split shot
- hooked minnow
- light to medium action rod
- open faced spinning reel
Try different styles of jigging-start aggressive, then work your way down to subtle taps. Usually you will find something in-between works.
ICE FISHING FOR PERCH
Perch are closely related to the walleye.
When ice fishing for perch, use a small jig or spoon and fish near the bottom-usually no more than one foot off the bottom. 6" is preferred.
The key to catching perch while ice fishing is finding them. Perch tend to school together so if you find one, others should be nearby.
When the perch are biting well, you may not need to bring your bait all the way down to the bottom again, usually the aggressive ones will meet your bait on the way down.
During the early part of the ice fishing season the perch should be in the flats.
ICE FISHING FOR PIKE
Northern Pike is one of the most exciting species to target when ice fishing.
They are aggressive predators. They will take almost anything you offer them, including ice transducers.
Most people use "tip-ups" when ice fishing for Northern Pike, although jigging will also work.
Northern Pike tend to be loners, and are found anywhere in the water column. Fishing 1-4 feet just below the ice is a good place to start.
Use large, sharp hooks when ice fishing for pike.
Northern Pike are toothy-creatures so if you want to actually land (ice) one, you will need a steel leader on the end of your ice fishing line.
Watch those teeth if you actually land one. Those teeth can rip your hand up pretty bad and there are germs and bacteria in the saliva that can cause quite an infection.
Sometimes the Northern Pike will just tug at your line...just a little. Play it out. Be careful that you have the right line and make sure that you have your drag set correctly.
ICE FISHING FOR CRAPPIE
Ice fishing for crappies is one of the most popular forms of ice fishing.
They are easy to catch and provide a nice sporting fight. Finding them is another story. Crappie tend to school together and wander all over the lakes they inhabit.
Tackle needed to go ice fishing for crappies includes:
- small split shot
- small shiner or fathead minnow
- small bobber
- small hook
- light action ice fishing rod
Hook your bait just behind the dorsal fin....and hang on!
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Mr. Twister works in a big way
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Big bait, big fish. The old adage held true for Tom Davies on Dec. 20, 2005 when
he landed a 5.25-pound, 23-inch rainbow trout at Lake John, while ice fishing.
Eschewing the standard tiny ice jigs, the Fort Collins
angler tempted the lunker on a white Mr. Twister lure. The Lake John ice fishing bite has improved of late for trout in a variety
of sizes. |
Dowdy Lake
Early December 2005
Ice was averaging 7-9 inches in all the holes we drilled. Fish were small but everywhere and action was hot!!! Small jigs and salmon eggs were catching stocker size rainbow trout one right after another. Jeremy and I both limited out and released well over 10 trout a piece. If you're looking for some quick ice fishing action and safe ice I would head over to Dowdy Lake in the Red Feathers area.
Quick Note: Make sure every time you go ice fishing you're prepared for the worst. Ice picks, rope, a pfd(personal flotation device), and a good set of ice cleats are all recommended. Also bring an extra set of clothes incase you do fall in. Always make a number of test holes to make sure the ice is thick enough to support your fishing party and all your gear.
Ice was safe and the fishing was tremendous...Great way to start the ice fishing season. Now its time to start targeting those big boys thru the ice!!!
Me doing my best Elmer Fudd impersonation and holding my first fish caught ice fishing this year!!!
Jeremy with a rainbow trout through the ice...his first of the year!!!
GEORGETOWN
December 12, 2005
I did manage a short trip with Jeremy this weekend to Georgetown. The ice was 11" thick and the fishing was awesome!!! We used small
orange Ratso's tipped with little chunks of nightcrawlers. We were fishing close to the dam in around 6-8 feet of water. Jeremy landed
a rainbow trout that was just over 15 inches...not too shabby at all for Georgetown!!! Fish count was well over 20 between the two
of us.
Looking for hottest spot in ice fishing? Try this reservoir full of rainbow trout.
To read the full article, please visit...
...would you like to catch more fish through the ice than you ever imagined? These rainbows, planted just a few short months ago,
aren't large. Stocked in early summer 2005 at 10 inches, they've now grown to 13...fourteen tops. Dave Bryant, the ultimate ice
guru, headed for the south side, where the creek wanders beneath the ice beside ragged cliffs. Bingo! Instant success for the trout
we were looking for. The winning strategy was to suspend a small ice jig about 18 inches off bottom in about 15 feet of water. Small
jigs worked best, tipped either with meal worms or a half-inch-long segment of nightcrawler. A light wire indicator also proved useful
in detecting what often were delicate bites.
James and Jevan at Estes Park ponds February 5, 2006
Ice fishing Q&A
Terry Tuma, ice-fishing expert: Not quite yet, but they've really come down in price. I think the underwater camera is the best learning
tool for fishing out there. I've always preached how light a fish bite can be, and some anglers never really understand it until they
see it on a camera.
Q: But do fishermen really need one?
A: I'm really a proponent of people doing their homework — learning how weather fronts affect fish and learning how to find fish, things like that. You still have to learn the basic skills of fishing, and I think some people have gotten away from that.
Q: But there's so much ice-fishing equipment out there. Do anglers need all the gadgets?
A: I think people are really confused because there are so many products. Some of what you read or hear isn't always factual. I think we're becoming fashion fishermen. We have all this equipment, and we think because of that, we're going to catch fish. I'm not saying it's not necessary to have good equipment, but we need to get back to basics.
Q: It's legal to ice fish with two lines. Do you?
A: Everybody thinks you have to fish with two holes and double your fish. It doesn't always work that way. You get a bite and reach for one rod while you're watching the other. You miss that bite, then you get a bite on the other and miss that one, too. Now, you've got zero. With one hole, you've probably caught that fish because you're focused on it.
Q: You sometimes talk about ice-fishing etiquette. What's that?
A: Well, it's really needed out there. I was doing an interview on the radio once from my fish house, and guy walks up and drills a hole about a foot away from me. It happens all the time. That's poor fishing etiquette. It seems like people sometimes try too hard to catch a fish.
Q: And litter?
A: There's too much litter left on our lakes. Some people just throw their garbage on the ice; I don't understand that. They don't respect our lakes.
Q: Why do people drill so many holes?
A: I really disagree with that. I think with crappies and sunfish, you pick your good spots and see if you can get them to bite. If you're always drilling holes, you're not spending enough time fishing.
James Putnam St Vrain Ponds Colorado February 2006...
Ice Augers, Shanties, and Accessories
Excellent Ice Fishing Info
If you can think of it... These guys have the links!
Ice Fishing Expertise
First Time On The Ice
Sight Fishing Through the Ice
1/2/06 Reports for Tarryall, Eleven Mile & Dream Stream
Shadow Mountain/CO spillway from the Fogal Bros 2005
Williams Fork Reservoir Lakers from Mark Coleman
February 2006
Nice Rainbow Through the Ice Video
Great Deals On Fishing Gear!
