Interesting Articles and Resources

For Fishermen

Ice fishing for Walleye

Bundle up and get ready for ice fishing for walleye! Ice fishing for walleye is a dynamic process as the temperatures drop and the winter progresses.  You'll have to incorporate several fishing tactics to locate the fish.  As with most species of fish as the weather gets colder so does the bite.  One of the most crucial elements to be concerned with is water movement.

Fishing smaller lakes first will extend your ice fishing for walleye season.  The smaller lakes will freeze quicker and earlier in the season and will give you the opportunity to get in on the action faster. Moving to larger lakes where there is more oxygen should be your next method of finding fish.

Fish love structure and just as you would locate structure for open water fishing you will need to search for structure that may protrude from the ice.  The ideal holding spots for fish will be off of points from the shore.  Using a fish finder you may be able to locate rock piles or sunken islands that walleye will be sticking to.  Locating current flows from creeks and rivers feeding into the lakes is another optimum spot to concentrate your efforts on. Smaller wind protected bays are the first to freeze up and where you'll likely find the first ice. 

Your experience from your summer fishing will make your fishing easier if you fish the same lakes in the winter.  You will already be aware of where fish will be holding and the types of structure available to them.  Using a GPS finder and marking spots during the summer will be a great advantage when you head out in the winter months.

Scouting out weed lines and knowing where they are will be a great spot to hit with a weed less jig or lure.  These weed lines are usually made up of cabbage, milfoil, and coontail which will hold bait fish that walleye will be feeding on.  Using a weed less lure or jig will prevent frustration with hang ups and lost lures.

If done properly vertical jigging for ice-time walleyes is a deadly method.  Use a chartreuse or silver black jig early in the season.  Using a larger size treble hook will allow you to attach a larger size minnow adding a natural presentation to your jigging technique. The jigging spoons with treble hooks will secure a minnow through the back allowing it to struggle and take care of most of your jigging action.

You'll also want to keep other lures in your tackle box so that you can utilize the best ammo for the walleye's mood.  In the winter they'll be seeking an easy meal.  Using a Rattling lure that causes vibration and noise will wake up the fish.  This method will help when the bite is slow. 

If you are new to walleye fishing in general it would be a great idea to seek out a guide and take one trip to learn some of these methods.  Confidence plays a major role in successful angling and is especially true when it comes to ice fishing. Good luck and I hope these tips will set your hooks and keep those lines tight!