Ice Fishing

By Jason Mitchell

Some specific States and Provinces have open walleye seasons during the late ice period. These fisheries offer tremendously fun ice fishing opportunities. I love catching walleye any day of the year but what I love about late ice walleyes is the level of aggressiveness. Patterns and locations can vary among fisheries but there are also some almost universal themes or tendencies that seem to pop up wherever walleye swim.

So what IS ice fishing?

Depending on your locale and your experience, the answers to that question will range widely.

The close-minded types who think anything less than 60 degrees F is cold, will probably say, “Craziness” or a “Waste of time.”

Ice-fishing is a winter tradition across much of the northern United States and throughout Canada. Whether you are getting ready for the upcoming season, or heading out for the first time in midwinter, it’s important to pull out the ice ice fishing tip-ups and get them ready for fishing.

Using a quality line is critical when ice fishing. The last thing any angler wants is to miss the catch of a lifetime due to line failure. The primary type of ice-fishing line options is monofilament, fluorocarbon, superline, and tip-up.  Below three ice pros share perspectives on various ice fishing line options.

When it comes to catching walleyes and saugers through the ice on Lake of the Woods, sometimes it is the little things that can make a big difference.  One of those “little things” I have noticed over the years is adding some noise and aggressiveness to my presentation can pay dividends.

Three things to know about Clam Outdoors pro staffer Robby Rhembrandt:

1. When he steps onto the ice he’s ready to fish. His tip-ups, rods and reels and tackle are in tip-top shape. The line on tip-ups and reels has been replaced in the fall, the gear organized so he can get his lines in the water with minimum delay.

2. He drills a lots of holes.

3. He will have his Vexilar sonar unit with him.

Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Podcast host Rob Keck is talking about fishing in places where the thermometer isn’t getting above freezing.

Whether stocking up your ice fishing jig box or perhaps shopping for an ice angler on your list, there are a lot of great lures for catching fish through the ice. The following is a look at new and trending ice fishing lures, plus some reliable standbys, to use when ice fishing for bass, walleye, crappie, yellow perch, lake trout, northern pike and more.

Common Sense is the Key to Enjoying All Kinds of Recreation on Winter Lakes

Ice fishing. It’s one of those outdoor activities about which most folks say either “Uh-uh. Nope. Never. Are you crazy?” or “Love it. Can’t wait until the first ice. Let’s go!” But, those who try ice fishing for the first time and those who can’t wait for the ice to freeze up should have the same first thought – “How do I venture onto the ice safely?”

Prior to sonar, anglers were totally dependent on their imaginations, and unless they were also divers, never really knew if their imagination matched reality or not. There is no substitute for the ability to see under the water. When you’re dragging your bait along a rough bottom, you might assume the bumps to be rocks, but it might actually be clamshells or ridges of sand. Sonar can provide a representation of structure, but not an actual image.