Early Season Ice Fishing

Theres no question that one of the peak times of the year for ice fishing is as soon as the ice is safe enough to venture onto. Its during those first cold days that fishing for perch, crappies, bluegills and walleyes can really sizzle. Thats when its time to head to shallow, fertile lakes, preferably those with depths less than 20-feet or so. These types of lakes freeze first and typically offer the best early season fishing. If the lakes are stained, with water clarity of less than five or six-feet, so much the better. Fish cant afford to be too particular inoff-colouredwater so they tend to be more aggressive. Another advantage of darker water is that fish will bite all day rather than just in low-light times.

- Richard Morton

Always use extreme caution on early season ice and don’t try to get a jump on the season by heading out if the ice is at all questionable. While three to four-inches of clear, new ice will support a person, the ice thickness is rarely uniform across a lake or pond. The four-inches you find at the shore may thin out dangerously within a few yards. If you decide to head out on anything less than 6-inches of clear, hard ice, be sure to wear a personal flotation device (a good idea whenever you’re going onto frozen waterways) and don’t go out alone. Always carry a spud bar or other ice testing device and check the ice every several of feet as you walk out.

In general, 4-inches of new, clear, hard ice is considered safe for walking and ice fishing; 6 to 8-inches is safe for a single snowmobile or ATV; 10 to 12-inches will support a small car or SUV and 12 to 15-inches will support a full sized truck. Remember that these guidelines are for new, clear, hard ice. Snow covered ice, slushy ice or ice in current areas will not be as strong therefore extra caution is required in these types of places.

As for where to fish at first ice, start by checking a good map of the lake you are planning to visit. Take some time to study it and mark off the promising looking areas. What you’re looking for are major structure areas with weedbeds that still have green vegetation. The best weedbeds are large and situated on structure that reaches all the way out to deep water. It’s a bonus if rocks or wood are present. Expect to find panfish, walleyes and pike in these areas.

Once you’re on the hard water, a good sonar unit is a great tool to help you identify depth and the bottom makeup. It will also show weeds, fish and, if it’s set up correctly, your bait. If it has GPS capabilities, it will allow you to pinpoint the areas you want to fish and will make it relatively simple to find them.