What is the
best depth
to
ice fish
for walleye?
On clear lakes, the best depths are usually in the 10-foot to 20-foot range However, fish movement does vary and depths as shallow as 2 feet and deeper than 20 feet can often be very productive as well. Live bait is most often used on tip-ups.
What depth are walleye at in winter?
Throughout a winter’s day, the fish will range in depth from 20 to 50 feet Walleyes in the tailraces tend to hug the bottom, so you should select lures that reach the river’s floor in a hurry.
Is it safe to ice fish on a river?
Fish on River Coves and Backwaters Undoubtedly the safest place to ice fish on rivers is in coves, eddies, and backwaters These spots usually remain solidly frozen throughout the winter and can provide
ice anglers
with some great fishing opportunities.
How do you target a walleye through the ice?
We recommend drilling 10-15 holes spaced in a grid pattern or in a zig-zag line at each location Using the point structure as an example, drill 5 holes along the shallow area, 5 along the transition, and 5 along the deeper section. Jig your walleye ice fishing rod for 5-10 minutes in each hole until you find fish.
How do you attract walleye to ice fishing?
Use Swimming Lures : Swimming lures are a great piece of bait for the aggressive Walleye. Try using a minnow as bait or even a Northland Tackle or Lindy that make swim heads can be very effective leads. Stick a minnow on one of the heads of these aforementioned hooks to make a deadly combination.
What is the best bait for ice fishing walleye?
- Live minnow.
- Dead minnow.
- Rapala jigging rap.
- Rapala slab rap.
- Northland buckshot rattle spoon.
- Leech flutter spoon.
- Northland whistler jig.
- Clam drop jig.
Is it better to ice fish in shallow or deep water?
For many lakes, the best depth to start ice fishing is in the 8 to 20 foot zone However, depending on the species, time of year and underwater structure, depths less than 5 feet or more than 20 feet might hold more fish.
What is the best month to ice fish?
March is my favorite month for ice-fishing. The days are longer, the weather isn’t as cold, and the fish like to get caught in March. Following are some things to keep in mind to catch more fish through the ice until the end of the ice season. First, be safe.
How do you catch a large river walleye?
You want to be sure your jig is heavy enough so that you’re not at the mercy of the flow All your favorite walleye jigs will work for river fish, but they work better if they’re tipped with a live minnow or some type of flavored soft-plastic such as a Gulp Minnow or a curly-tail grub. If you’re feeling bold, use both.
How many inches is safe for ice fishing?
ice fishing safety thickness guidelines
Stay off of any ice that is 3 inches or less thick. Remember that a minimum of 4 inches of clear,
solid ice
is a requirement to support an average person’s weight.
When should you stop ice fishing?
Ice thickness is one indicator of whether or not ice is safe. The following are suggested guidelines for safe ice thickness for different activities when the ice is new, clear and solid. 4 inches – a minimum of 4 inches thick is considered safe for ice fishing and other recreational activities on foot.
What should I look for when ice fishing?
Look for points, breaks, weed lines, and underwater humps During first ice fish the points and bars that extend from shore and the weed lines. Midwinter look for fish around the deeper structure like mid-lake humps and rock piles.
Should you go ice fishing alone?
Leave your car or truck on shore. Wear a personal flotation device and don’t fish alone Ice varies in thickness and condition. Always carry an ice spud or chisel to check ice as you proceed.
What’s the best time of day to catch walleye?
Generally, the best time to fish for Walleye is early morning and late evening When the sun is high at midday, Walleye move deeper and hold tightly to shade providing Cover. During periods of low light however, Walleye will move in shallow to feed on baitfish holding close to shore.
What time of day is best for ice fishing?
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.
What color lures do walleye like?
The most basic and most productive colors for targeting walleye are purple and green These colors come in a variety of shades and can be used in a large range of depths. For sunny days, select bright or flashy purple or green, and for cloudy days try a solid, darker green or purple.
What is the best time of year to fish for walleye?
Walleye fishing season is the best in spring during and after the spawning season However, summer nights and fall months are just as good for fishing for walleyes.
Is ice fishing better before or after a storm?
Weather does affect ice fishing. Generally, ice fishing is best before bad weather and when barometric pressure quickly drops. On the other hand, fishing can be tough during clear, sunny skies when air pressure is high.
Which state has the best ice fishing?
Wisconsin Wisconsin is on top of the hit list when it comes to ice fishing, Green Bay is a basin of Lake Michigan that covers 2,000,000 acres and has some of the best ice fishing on the planet.
What is considered a trophy walleye?
So, you have to decide what a trophy walleye will be for you. Honestly, an 8-pound walleye for most folks is a trophy walleye. If you don’t fish 100 days or more each year for walleyes, then the chances of catching a 10-pound walleye are slim.
What’s the biggest walleye ever caught?
So let the record be known in the walleye world that the world record walleye of 25 pounds which measured 41 inches in length was caught by Mabry Harper in the great state of Tennessee in 1960 was a most well documented claim and there has never been any evidence to prove the contrary.
What is the world record walleye?
A recent release by the current governing board at the FWFHOF stated, “So let the record be known in the walleye world that the world record walleye of 25 pounds which measured 41 inches in length was caught by Mabry Harper in the great state of Tennessee in 1960.”.
References
https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/walleyes-thru-the-ice-on-the-river/
https://www.gameandfishmag.com/editorial/deep-secrets-for-cold-weather-walleyes/372995