Walleye in winter ... where are they?

[krawler]

Would like to catch some eyes this winter. What depths do they frequent? What kind of structure should i focus my fishing around?

[Clampet]

Late Ice Fishing is the Best

By Sam Anderson

 

As winter ice fishing progresses some tactics have to be changed. Early in the season the action is fast and as the ice gets thicker and the days colder the fish have a tendency to slow down and move. In fact, in most bodies of water mobility is crucial if you want to stay on fish.

 

Structure is as much the key to success for the ice fisherman as it is for the open water angler. Structures take many different shapes, but they share one thing in common, and that is they differ from the surrounding bottom enough to be noticed by the fish. The most common and most recognizable piece of structure is the point of land that extends from shore out into the water. Points create a raised portion of land beneath the water's surface, making it different from the surrounding bottom. These points extending from shore may be classified also as bars or reefs. Sunken islands and rock piles can also be ideal fish holding areas, and areas where you want to concentrate your efforts. Pieces of structure found in a migration route created by current from a nearby river that flows into a lake, can offer a choice hunting ground for walleye seekers, in winter as well as summer.

 

Although many structures ( such as points) can be visually located even in winter, others like sunken islands or underwater rock piles can be difficult to find because of your limited mobility. The need to drill holes to fish greatly reduces the amount of area that the winter angler can cover in a set amount of time. This is where technology is helping the ice angler out. The use of a depth finder and a GPS unit is essential for fishing on the ice. I know that I spend a great deal of time on the water in the summer time and when I find a piece of structure that has all the elements of good ice fishing structure, I will put it in my LCX-15-MT. When late season walleye fishing gets tough I will use a hand held GPS Lowrance iFinder unit and find that specific piece of structure. Some companies even have a hand held depth finder that will shoot through the ice and eliminate the need for drilling unnecessary holes.

 

Your lure selection might also have to change. Right now on many lakes the favorite is the Pounder and the Fat Boy (both made by System Tackle, a Lindy-Little Joe Company), which have a flat profile that reflects a sonar's signal easily. They are also made a bit heavier so you can stay in contact with the bottom. Attach a head of a redtail chub, or a shiner and it will have a natural scent as well as added flash. This will simulate a wounded minnow and turn those inactive fish into active ones.

 

One more type of lure that suspends the rate of fall is the Jigging Rapala. This type of jig has a swimming action and it darts as it falls. This will give the fish an impression that minnows are darting and swimming towards them and escaping from them and it will trigger a response from those finicky walleyes.

 

Another tip to remember is to be conscience of the size of your bait. The old adage that the "larger the bait, the larger the fish," will hold true, but if the fish turn off, try a smaller size and you might be surprised.

 

Line becomes an important variable in late season ice fishing. Light line is good in early ice, but I prefer to switch to the heavier line in late season, due primarily to abrasion on the ice hole. Also because northern pike frequent walleye hangouts and this added tensile strength will give me an edge. I usually use Berkley Trilene XT 8 lb for these late winter excursions spooled onto a good spinning rod that allows me adjustable drag, because one never knows what monster will decide to take your lure.

 

Late season you will experience reduced prices on tackle and lodging, uncrowded lakes, a slower pace and more personal services. The ice may be a little thicker but the walleyes are going to be to hot to handle. If it does get to hot to handle, let me know by dropping me a line at www.samanderson.com. Hope to hear from you soon.

[Fishmaster]

Lower Grand River Dunnvile has lots of Walleye...

[Guest gbfisher]

anywhere from 4 to 40 fow. Get a map. Picks some spots, shoals. flats, points and go fish! It may take you a couple tries but this way you can say you did it yourself!!!!

[trapshooter]

Fish will be in different locations throughout the day (usually deeper mid day and shallower at the prime feeding times, morning and evening). Andy was very right to suggest they can be found in the wide range of 4-40 feet.

 

They also make seasonal migrations over the course of the winter. In General, at first ice they aren't far from where you'd fish in the fall. They will still be relating to main lake structure, near a basin. Find a nice point or shoal with deep water nearby and swiss cheese the ice with holes until you connect. Mid winter they are still deep and this can be the most difficult time to catch finicky walleye. As last ice approaches they migrate towards spawning areas. Creek mouths, bays with gradually tapering rock rubble shorelines, areas where weeds growth will begin to occur etc. They will stage on structure near where they spawn after the ice goes out.

 

On a shallow/weedy lake like scugog you can fish them in/around the weeds all winter long.

 

Bottom line is, you need a map and a willingness to move around and explore new spots and different structure. A flasher or fish finder will shorten your learning curve by showing if there are fish present and just not biting on what you're offering.

 

Learn from what you see as well, if a certain point has huts or fishermen on it all the time, there's probably good reason for it.

[pirlo06]

its pretty plain and simple, find that drop off, and stay on it!!!!! they cruise the edges!! quick tip, if you have a vexilar you can dip your transducer in your minnow bucket then put it on the ice and it will show you your depth without puncjing a hole.

[coreyL]

 

 

it all depends where your fishing lakes/rivers etc the best way to figure it out is to play around with depths 14-30 feet and stay till at least till 5 o clock cause thats when they bite!!