Ice Fishing Rookie Skunked Again on a High-Rated Solunar Day—Need Advice

[waterfrontdinning]

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum and just started ice fishing this winter.

Today, I was ice fishing at Miner’s Bay on Gull Lake and rented a hut there. By the way, the hut was very clean and in great condition compared to the other three huts I’ve rented elsewhere. I deliberately chose today because, according to the solunar calendar, fish activity was predicted to be very high (96 out of 100 on the app). I’ve fished on a 15-rating day twice and got nothing, and on a 55-rating day, I caught 3 or 4 small perch. So, I had very high hopes for today—until I got skunked again. To add to the sting, my neighboring hut caught two arm-length lake trout. It hurts a little, not gonna lie.

This was my first time targeting walleye and lake trout. The hut operator helped me set up a dead stick with live minnows, which I relied on throughout the day. I got a few bites but wasn’t able to set the hook. I was fishing in about 40 to 50 feet of water. I also knew the barometric pressure had recently risen (mostly clear skies), which might have played a role.

I’m feeling a bit confused and would love to know what went wrong. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Edited Saturday at 04:08 AM by waterfrontdinning

[limeyangler]

I went through a very brief period 20 years ago following the solunar chart, it took six months to realize I had done well on days touted to be great days but had also had awful days with similar ‘best’ day forecasts,  similarly I had great days and bad on ‘poor’ solunar forecast days. Just wondering if you have a sonar unit? Definitely helps. Deadsticking trout can work, but the LOVE to chase. 3”-4” white tube jigs, blade baits and lipless cranks a good start for lakers.

Edited Saturday at 09:43 PM by limeyangler

[waterfrontdinning]

6 hours ago, limeyangler said:

I went through a very brief period 20 years ago following the solunar chart, it took six months to realize I had done well on days touted to be great days but had also had awful days with similar ‘best’ day forecasts,  similarly I had great days and bad on ‘poor’ solunar forecast days. Just wondering if you have a sonar unit? Definitely helps. Deadsticking trout can work, but the LOVE to chase. 3”-4” white tube jigs, blade baits and lipless cranks a good start for lakers.

That’s very reassuring to hear. I guess the fish were active but just not near my hut. A sonar unit is something I’m considering, it seems to be challenage to make a "run" for the trout without one. I guess I’ve reached the point where I need to decide whether to commit to being a serious ice angler or to keep it more casual.

 

Thanks

[Orca]

On 3/15/2025 at 12:06 AM, waterfrontdinning said:

Hi everyone, I’m new to the forum and just started ice fishing this winter.

Today, I was ice fishing at Miner’s Bay on Gull Lake and rented a hut there. By the way, the hut was very clean and in great condition compared to the other three huts I’ve rented elsewhere. I deliberately chose today because, according to the solunar calendar, fish activity was predicted to be very high (96 out of 100 on the app). I’ve fished on a 15-rating day twice and got nothing, and on a 55-rating day, I caught 3 or 4 small perch. So, I had very high hopes for today—until I got skunked again. To add to the sting, my neighboring hut caught two arm-length lake trout. It hurts a little, not gonna lie.

This was my first time targeting walleye and lake trout. The hut operator helped me set up a dead stick with live minnows, which I relied on throughout the day. I got a few bites but wasn’t able to set the hook. I was fishing in about 40 to 50 feet of water. I also knew the barometric pressure had recently risen (mostly clear skies), which might have played a role.

I’m feeling a bit confused and would love to know what went wrong. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated!

Well you sure have done your homework!
Have you seen the LiveScope sonars?
The fish don't stand a chance.  Not within many peoples' budget, at around $3K.
Im making do with Flasher.
First you find the fish...

[waterfrontdinning]

5 hours ago, Orca said:

Well you sure have done your homework!
Have you seen the LiveScope sonars?
The fish don't stand a chance.  Not within many peoples' budget, at around $3K.
Im making do with Flasher.
First you find the fish...

I know, it blew me away when I fisrt found out the price. Even the flasher is like $500+. 

So when you say "first you find the fish", do you mean using the flasher to see if there is fish, if not, then move on to a new spot?  And you preplaned those spots?

[waterfrontdinning]

On 3/15/2025 at 5:40 PM, limeyangler said:

I went through a very brief period 20 years ago following the solunar chart, it took six months to realize I had done well on days touted to be great days but had also had awful days with similar ‘best’ day forecasts,  similarly I had great days and bad on ‘poor’ solunar forecast days. Just wondering if you have a sonar unit? Definitely helps. Deadsticking trout can work, but the LOVE to chase. 3”-4” white tube jigs, blade baits and lipless cranks a good start for lakers.

What about barometric pressure? Is that something you take into consideration?

[limeyangler]

1 hour ago, waterfrontdinning said:

What about barometric pressure? Is that something you take into consideration?

No… lol… maybe I should. I just go fishing and if they bite they bite. You don’t have to spend loads on a flasher, just get the cheapest regular colour humminbird or garmin , the iceducer would be extra but you could easily just put the boat transducer that comes with them on a stick and drop it down the hole. Get an old cooler and mount it in that with room for a battery. Battery, Fishfinder and cooler probably under $280.

 

 

I use the one above with an ‘iceducer which runs about $140. Basic but does everything you need. 

[waterfrontdinning]

16 minutes ago, limeyangler said:

No… lol… maybe I should. I just go fishing and if they bite they bite. You don’t have to spend loads on a flasher, just get the cheapest regular colour humminbird or garmin , the iceducer would be extra but you could easily just put the boat transducer that comes with them on a stick and drop it down the hole. Get an old cooler and mount it in that with room for a battery. Battery, Fishfinder and cooler probably under $280.

 

 

I use the one above with an ‘iceducer which runs about $140. Basic but does everything you need. 

Thank you so much, I'm definitely going to look into it.

I was a bit obsessed with the thrill of a 'fish-on' moment, but i've colled down now and realize that spending time relaxing with friends and family on ice is the real cake, and catching fish is just the cherry on top.

But I still going to improve my knowledge and equipment. Other than not catching much fish, my wife and kids love the experiences.

Edited 9 hours ago by waterfrontdinning

[CrowMan]

On 3/15/2025 at 12:06 AM, waterfrontdinning said:

 

I’m feeling a bit confused and would love to know what went wrong. 

Don't beat yourself up...fishing is just that...fishing, it's not always catching.

There was an Ice Fishing Derby  in Elliot Lake this weekend...182 anglers participated and payed $100 each to enter, and not a single fish was caught. It can happen to the best of us..

 

https://www.elliotlakestandard.ca/news/elliot-lakes-fishless-ice-fishing-derby

Edited 21 minutes ago by CrowMan