Common Ice Fishing Mistakes
By Guardian Angler
Here in Northwest Indiana ice is slowly forming on our lakes. As anxious as we are to hit the hardwater, we still have some time to wait for it to be safe. As I sit here checking my topographic maps for new spots to try this season, I figured I'd share some lessons I've learned through trial and error to help y'all get on some fish. A mix of things I've learned out on the ice, as well as things I've learned through research and have proven to work during outings. Hopefully you'll be able to take away a couple of things to help you put a couple fish topside.
Deeper Is Not Always Better
A common misconception when ice fishing is hitting the deepest holes on the body you’re fishing. I can state FOR A FACT this is not true. Some of my best days on the ice have been in depths between three and five foot deep. Yes, some species such as walleye want to sit in deep mud basins; but more times than not you will do much better locating good weeds in shallower water. These weeds often hold more types of fish as well. I often won't even venture into deep basins till late ice season. I've found that fishing in weeds consistently holds pike, bass, perch, crappie and bluegills. Finding a nearby basin is definitely helpful, it gives fish a place to run too quickly when they decide to push deep. It also gives predatory fish a place to hide before they come out and roam these weeds to feed. Don't be afraid to fish around docks, or trees either. Just like open water, fish still like to hold onto structure. Another reason these weeds are important is oxygen. Fish need oxygen, and unlike open water, the only way for oxygen to be introduced in the water is through aquatic plants. Finding LIVE weeds will give fish the oxygen they need. If you find dead weeds on your jig, move. They won't give off the oxygen the fish require; as well as releasing toxins into the water that will push fish off.
2. Bottom Composition Is Key
Now this topic can be a slippery slope. Many fish prefer different bottom compositions depending on species or lakes. One thing I've found to hold true is to avoid sand. Sand doesn't seem to hold fish (at least in the areas I fish) during ice season. I like finding mud or rock. Rock holds heat on sunny days, which tend to hold fish, and mud holds aquatic bugs and micro invertebrates that small fish forage on, which in turn attracts predators. You also tend to find better weed life in mud during this time of year, which tends to attract more fish. Good electronics can help you determine bottom composition when ice fishing, but the tried-and-true method is to take notes of what's under you during the open water season.
3. Avoid The Middle of Basins
When I finally start moving to deeper water later in the ice season, avoiding the middle of basins will yield you many more fish. Fish right on the edge of the breaks or find what I call “Feeding Tubes”. These tubes are usually connecting channels between basins. They often are a few feet shallower and look almost like an hourglass on a topographical map. Fishing these tubes offers you an opportunity to be on the fish that are moving between basins actively looking to feed, instead of hoping a roaming fish in the middle of a basin swims by and decides to eat out of instinct. They also funnel fish into a smaller area, giving you more opportunities to hook one on. It's similar to the same reason I fish the breaks of basins instead of the middle. Fish circling around the breaks are oftentimes actively hunting, instead of just holding in the middle. If you have a feeding tube, fish it first, if not hit the breaks.
4. Stay Put, Patience Is Key
This is very controversial, and when used incorrectly will cost you fish. Of course, you don't want to stay in an area that doesn't hold fish. With that being said, when on roaming fish, this can be the difference between a limit or going home with just a few. I use this trick when on breaks or feeding tubes, not in shallow weeds. When I find areas that hold fish (mainly when fishing for perch, walleye and crappie that like to roam) in these basins and tubes, I have found hole hopping will cost you more fish than it's worth. Staying put and waiting for the schools to come back to you has done way better for me, rather than jumping from hole to hole trying to guess where that school is moving to. Now with the help of FFS, you can follow the schools much easier but even coming from someone who runs a Live scope on the ice, I prefer staying warm in the shack and waiting for the fish to come back. These fish are roaming fish, and whether it's the same school or another school, they will come back to you. Stay put, be patient and let them come back around. If you overshoot the school, or go in the wrong direction, you are going to waste time and energy all while not catching fish.
5. Find Fish Away From The Pack
Why spend time pounding fish that have seen 100 jigs already? I've produced far more fish away from large groups. Some of the best spots that hold fish are pounded way too hard, and the fish get smart to the baits. Coltin and I experienced this in Minnesota a few years ago jigging for walleye. We were around a CITY of shanties, ice castles and cabins. We saw more fish than we could count on the graph, but the amount that would bite was so slim compared to the lookers. This was something we experienced for five days, so we couldn't blame weather or barometric pressure for the non-eaters we had looked at our baits. We finally figured out a working pattern, but we had to go extremely against the grain. Dead sticking minnows or shiners (both live and dead), tip ups, buckshot spoons, slab raps, and bigging raps just wouldn't cut it for these heavily pressured fish. We could only get them to eat with a specific-colored glow spoon (no rattles) tipped with only the back half of a minnow jigged VERY lightly and you could not raise it up or you would scare the fish off. Avoid those packs and those finicky fish, find a new area that will yield easier to catch fish.
6. Bigger Is Not Better
The colder the water gets, the slower the metabolism of fish gets. Meaning they don't eat as much. If you're getting lookers, or spooking fish, but not catching, it's time to down size baits. A prime example of this was when I went to Lake of the Woods with my girlfriend last December. Fishing for walleye, I tied on a Jigging Rap, yet put on a small bluegill jig for my girlfriend. I was looking for trophy fish, and my girlfriend just wanted to catch something. Immediately our graph was lit up like a tree on Christmas, but upon dropping I watched three nice sized marks fly right off my side of the screen. My girlfriend drops down and before she can hit the bottom one of those big marks slams her tiny bluegill jig. After a nice fight she top-sides a 17” walleye. As excited as I was for her to get her first walleye (and a good one at that) I figured it was just a fluke…then she drops back down and hooks a GIANT we lost at the hole. I can't get to my jig box fast enough at this point to re-tie. As I'm selecting a bluegill jig she top-sides a 16” walleye. This was a pattern we stayed on for all four days of our fishing trip. We had rented a sleeper cabin on the ice through an outfitter, and we were one of the only few cabins consistently landing good fish. This can be for two reasons, one is again on a pressured spot fishing against the grain, but I really think the big reason was we were willing to downsize to what these fish were looking to eat. From what I got from the guides that I spoke with on that trip; was that everyone wanted to keep throwing big spoons, Jigging Raps, and Slab Raps. We were the only ones fishing these tiny jigs, and yet we wielded the bigger walleye, and had numbers. We left with our legal bag limit, as many others did not. I continued using this trick across all waters I ice fish, and it continues to work for me. Big fish will eat small baits.
7. More Lines = More Fish
This tip is kind of a given, but I still don't see many people do it. Check your regulations and use as many lines as you are legally able. I like to always have a dead stick next to me, as long as I'm not running lots of tip-ups. Whether you like Automatic Hook setters, Rattle Wheels, Tip-ups, Tip-Downs, or dead stick rods, utilize every last line you can legally. The more baits in the water, the more chances you have to catch fish. Also, don't use the same bait on all lines. Even if you find a specific bait working better than others, have one or two set up with something different. This can help you catch more species, as well as get those outlier fish that don't want the normal baits. When traveling, be sure to keep up with your local regulations, you don't want the DNR writing you tickets.
8. Don't Fish Hungry
One of my most important tips is to always bring some snacks and water. Fishing hungry makes you a sloppy angler. You will get distracted and make stupid mistakes. You will miss fish, and have your head wandering and be planning your meal rather than focusing on the task at hand. I like to take tin foil and cook hotdogs over my heater buddy out on the ice, but things like granola bars, beef jerky, chips and other easy snacks that don't require cooking work well. Staying hydrated is very important, too. Always have plenty of water to stay hydrated. Dragging the shanty and gear around is tough work. Keep your body happy and stay focused on fishing. You don't want to miss that trophy fish because you were thinking about where you are stopping for dinner on the drive home. Been there a few times, and believe me, it's a terrible feeling…
Hopefully you can take a few things away from these tips. My goal is to always give you tips to get you on more fish. These are always things I have learned in experience, and I would never give them if I didn't believe in them. Ice fishing is my favorite style of fishing, you never know what you're about to pull through that tiny hole at your feet. Always stay safe on the ice. Wear your picks, keep a throw rope and always let people know where you are so they can send rescue to the right location if needed. As always tight lines and stay degenerate!
