4 Useful Tips for Successful Ice Fishing

Ice fishing differs from warm-weather angling in a lot of ways. Ice fishing doesn’t need much of catching skill when you drop a line through a hole you cut in the hardened water. However, skill is required for lure selection. Also, it’s true that you can’t catch fish if you don’t find them.

There’s no doubt that when the lake is frozen, you get full access to it. However, ice fishing is not as easy as creeping around a spot with your trolling motor or cranking up your outboard. Rather, you’ll have to drill hole after hole, have a plan and definitely know – instead of guess – where exactly the fish are schooling.

All in all, you’ll have to have more knowledge, more skill and more expertise to fish perch, pike, muskies and crappie all through the winter season. Here are a few tips that will help you upgrade your knowledge and skill and catch a significant amount of fish throughout the winter.

1. Topography

Knowing the topography of the lake is crucial and the best anglers understand the lake’s bottom like they know the lines on their palm. As per an experienced angler, 90% of fish are in 10% of water, which is absolutely true. The trick here is to find that 10% every weekend and it’s much more intensive than finding the deepest water possible.

2. Understand Your Weeds

With the shorter days and reducing light in winter, underwater flora starts dying. With this, the decomposition of the dying flora depletes oxygen. Not only does this make fish more inactive, but it also influences where they live and feed.

If you drill a hole in the ice and what you pull out is dead and rotting, find another location to make a hole. What you should find is fresh, green weed, particularly later in the season when fish go hungry for oxygen.

3. Weeds and Drop-offs

Several fish species love places right next to a steep drop-off and if it contains healthy vegetation too, it becomes a prime location. Green areas usually offer shelter, good supply of oxygen and prey, and an easy access to variable water temperatures. Thus these are some of the most fruitful places to drop a line.

4. Muddy Bottoms

Bluegill and other panfish love to snack on several different invertebrates all through the winter and if you are aware of locations of these preys, you’ll easily find the fish feeding on them too. Some prime areas are muddy, sticky bottoms which are homes to these preys, and species like sunfish and bluegill are sure to be found feeding on them throughout winter.

Winter brings a unique set of challenges for anglers; but if you know well where to find your fish, ice fishing becomes so easy. Use these tips and enjoy. Happy ice fishing!