In my experience, I’ve found that most of the best ice-fishing action comes in water from 3-to-20 feet deep. I like to set up my traps so that they cover a variety of depths. Areas with rock piles, weed beds, or dramatic contours are all good spots.
How deep should I fish ice fishing?
For many lakes, the best depth to start ice fishing is in the 8 to 20 foot zone. However, depending on the species, time of year and underwater structure, depths less than 5 feet or more than 20 feet might hold more fish.
Is ice fishing better in deep or shallow water?
Ice-fishermen tend to concentrate on shallow water even though deep water is often home to the biggest fish, just as it is during the open-water season.
Can you ice fish in shallow water?
The shallowest spots to ice fish are in 3 feet of water. “Another shallow spot to look for at first ice involves long, flat points with rocks and an inside weedline in 3 to 4 feet of water — generally without a sharp-dropping break around it.Productive shallow zones usually involve weeds, especially at first ice.
How many inches of ice is safe for ice fishing?
4 inches
Guidelines. With 4 inches of new, clear ice, an average-sized angler is generally safe to venture out on foot. Anything less than 4 inches is considered too risky. Many avid ice anglers look forward to first ice as the fish are often eager to bite.
What’s the best bait for ice fishing?
For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows. You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish.
What is the best month to ice fish?
March
March is the best month of the winter for ice-fishing in most of the Ice Belt, but anglers are never sure how the ice conditions will impact access to the lakes.
How do you choose where to ice fish?
To choose an ice fishing spot, you need to start searching open waters in the fall. In winter, fish typically remain in the same sites where you find them in other seasons. Vegetation, certain structures like rock piles, depressions, and transition areas are favorite places for fish congregations.
How thick should ice be to drive on?
According to the Department of Natural Resources, 12-15 inches of solid ice is needed to safely drive a truck onto a lake or pond. 8-12 inches is needed for normal passenger vehicles. For snowmobiling, a minimum of 5 inches is recommended.
What depth do walleye like in winter?
Generally speaking walleye will hold to the same structure as they would during fall months during early ice. Slight drop-offs, sandy or rocky flats, green weed beds, and hard structure anywhere from 8 to 15 feet deep are great places to start.
What depth should I ice fish for walleye?
Tip #4: The Best Depth to Ice Fish for Walleye
In clear lakes, you will find walleyes between 10 and 20 feet (3-6 meters). This deeper location should be near the steep underwater incline where the water is 3 – 6 feet deep (1-2 meters).
HOW MUCH CAN 4 inches of ice hold?
At 4” the ice is suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and walking and can support about 200 pounds. At 5 inches of new clear ice should be enough to hold a single snowmobile or ATV or about 800 pounds. At 8-12 inches the ice should be suitable for a small car or a larger group of people.
Is 6 inches of ice safe?
Ice begins to be “safe” at around 4 – 6 inches thickness. Do not even walk on ice 3″ or less in thickness. However, even at a 9″ – 10″ thickness, there may be unforeseen hazards such as a flowing current underneath that is ceaselessly weakening the underside of the ice.
Can you walk on 2 inches of ice?
General Ice Thickness Guidelines
2 inches thick The ice is very susceptible to breakage and is not safe to walk on. 4 inches thick It should be ok to stand, skate, and ice fish on the surface.
How do you measure ice fishing depth?
Look for vegetation that’s sticking up through the ice or ridges that extend down into the water. To find the depth where the fish are, start by dropping your bait or lure all the way to the bottom of the water you’re fishing. Then raise your bait or lure 6 to 12 inches at a time until you find the fish.
Can you use worms for ice fishing?
Can you use worms for ice fishing? Although worms are not the best live bait option for ice fishing, an earthworm on a jig can catch crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, trout, whitefish, and even small bass. If worms are what you have for bait, you can absolutely catch some fish using them.
What time of day is best for ice fishing?
The best time of day to ice fish is during the first couple of hours after sunrise, and for about 2 hours both before and after sunset. These are the times when most fish are heading to their feeding grounds, and when most species are active.
What kind of hook do you use for ice fishing?
As for hooks, carry a mix of light wire hooks in a variety of sizes. Small hooks in the size #8 to #14 range will serve well with small delicate baits like mousies and waxies. For minnows, start with hooks of size #4 and #2, adjusting with larger or smaller hooks to match the size of minnows you are using.
What barometric pressure is best for ice fishing?
What is the best barometric pressure for ice fishing?
| Air Pressure | Ice Fishing Activity To Expect |
|---|---|
| Medium pressure (29.70 to 30.50), stable conditions | Medium to fair feeding activity, feeding correlates with other factors |
Do Nightcrawlers work for ice fishing?
Nightcrawlers can be an excellent bait for ice fishing, depending on the fish species you want to catch. They are one of the best ice fishing baits for all kinds of trout, and also work well for crappie and other panfish.
Is ice fishing better before or after a storm?
Yes. Weather does affect ice fishing. Generally, ice fishing is best before bad weather and when barometric pressure quickly drops. On the other hand, fishing can be tough during clear, sunny skies when air pressure is high.
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