How Long After Ice Out Should You Wait Before Fishing?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,
Best Ice Times Walleye

Mid-evening and night
Perch Sunrise and sunset but often good all day Crappie Evening and night Bluegill Mid-afternoon until sunset

How do you fish right after ice?

  1. Deep diving jerkbait. The jerkbait is probably my favorite lure for ice out fishing. …
  2. Ned rig. …
  3. Jigs. …
  4. Drop shotting (or similar) …
  5. Crankbaits.

Where do bass go after ice out?

This area of water usually warms the fastest after the ice out, and if you can find good hard cover, it's a big-time bonus. Oftentimes the bass will be relating to

deep water structural elements (rock piles, ledges, humps or the ends of secondary points) nearest spawning flats

they intend to use in the next 60-90 days.

Is ice fishing better in the morning or evening?

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.

How do you catch walleye after ice?


Razor sharp hooks are critical to getting a good hook set

. Ice out walleye seek out the warmest water they can find. The problem with this is that the muddy water typically warms faster than the clean water. If the water is too muddy, less than 6 inches visibility, the fish simply can't find your bait.

How do you catch walleye on ice?

  1. Map Out 3-4 Key Locations for Mobility. …
  2. Drill 10-15 Holes Per Location. …
  3. Ice Fishing for Walleye at Night. …
  4. Silver Spoons & Lures in Clear Water. …
  5. Use Bright Colors in Stained Water. …
  6. Two Pole Approach in Shanties. …
  7. On Finicky Bites Default to Live Bait.

How do you target bass for ice fishing?

What lures catch the biggest bass?

  1. Big Bait Swimbaits. The original “big bait” – swimbaits have become such a diverse category that it's hard to lump them all into one. …
  2. Big Bait Glide Baits. …
  3. Big Bait Spoons. …
  4. Big Bait Bucktails.

How do you catch suspended bass in open water?

How do you catch bass?

  1. Save Shredded Worms. When your plastic worms get torn up, save 'em. …
  2. Red Fools the Fish. …
  3. Skip Your Bait. …
  4. Keep Your Hooks Sharp. …
  5. Look at Your Livewell Water. …
  6. Face the Wind. …
  7. Fish Shallow in the Spring. …
  8. Make Your Bait Seasonal.

What is a ned rig?

The Ned rig is

a finesse fishing technique that involves using small plastic worms, craws, or creatures paired with a light mushroom style head so it can easily float off the bottom

. This rig was originally created by outdoor writer Ned Kehde and popularized in the Midwest – so the name Ned rig stuck because of him!

What is ice out fishing?

Fishing smaller, darker waters (or sometimes bays or channels off large bodies of water) in areas where fish have staged or recently transitioned. Intercepting panfish in transition from deep water ice haunts to spring feeding, staging and spawning areas from a boat.

What is the best month to ice fish?

However, those who enjoy ice-fishing know that some of the very best action of the year can take place in late season. Some of my best ice-fishing down through the years has been in

late February and early to mid March

depending on the area being fished.

What are the best days to go ice fishing?

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.

Where do you fish when ice melts?


Shallow, Muddy Bottoms

In shallow, weedy northern lakes, bass will move to the backs of bays and coves as the ice melts, usually preferring shallow spots. Areas with dark, muddy bottoms will warm up the fastest and will see the highest concentration of active bass.

How do you catch early spring walleye?

How do you fish for early season walleye?

What depth are walleye at in winter?

As winter progresses and the water gets colder, walleye move into deeper water. In mid-winter, they are often found in basins that are

30-40 feet deep

, and like to hold in areas that are close to more shallow structures, such as underwater hills or mud flats rising to a depth of 10-25 feet.

How do you attract fish for ice fishing?

  1. Chumming and scents. Chumming is the most obvious way of attracting fish to a centralized location. …
  2. Glow lures. …
  3. Bottom bouncing. …
  4. Turn on the transducer. …
  5. Change up your presentation. …
  6. Match the hatch. …
  7. Cover the hole. …
  8. Bring in some flash.

What is the best time to ice fish for walleye?

Ice fishing for walleye can be done through out the day, but the best time would be when the light is changing.

Early morning and evening

are the best. Activity period is strongest around 1-2 hours around sunrise and sunset. The same light changing conditions can apply on cloudy days, or times before storms.

How deep do you ice fish for bass?

Bass often relate to the deep edge or those weeds when active, and are more likely to be deeper, beyond that edge, than shallower. The best fishing often occurs on flats somewhere

between 10 and 25 feet

.

Where do bass go when lakes freeze?

Fish Deeper Than Usual

Warmer water is denser than colder water, so it

sinks to the bottom

, and that's where the bass hang out all winter.

Where do bass go under ice?

Bass typically avoid the shallows during early ice, as toxins from massive weed die-offs push them to deeper flats. In bowl-shaped lakes ringed with dying vegetation, Brosdahl expects the bass to hold on

whatever structure the lake's middle offers

.

Do worms work for bass?


Many anglers use worms to catch species such as bass, trout, crappie, bluegill, perch and more

. The truth is, most fish will probably eat a worm, no matter if it's freshwater or saltwater, big or small.

Where do the big bass hide?

Fish Difficult Spots

Big largemouth bass tend to lurk the dirtiest looking sections of water rather than the clear open water. Big bass drive many anglers crazy because they will hide out

in the middle of thick cover

, not along the edge like some one to two-pounders.

How do you catch bass when not biting?

Sometimes

using live bait such as shiners, worms, crawfish, and bluegill

are the only methods of fooling finicky bass into biting. Some anglers may not enjoy using live bait for any number of reasons. That it makes fishing too easy or that it's somehow even beneath them are among the most common answers.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.