CHanging The Game
in Ice Fishing ELECTRONICs
CHanging The Game
in Ice Fishing ELECTRONICs
Show Your Loyalty with Latest MarCum Apparel.
Show Your Loyalty with Latest MarCum Apparel.
Whether you’re ready for it or not, the ice season is coming to an end sooner than later. For many of us anglers, it was an odd season riddled with less-than-ideal conditions – including lack of ice and excess amounts of snow and ice. With snow melt in full force and deteriorating ice conditions, we can’t help but think of what’s coming next.
We’re nearing the end of walleye season in MN, and things have gotten a bit tougher. Snow is deep and ice is thick(er), and the amount of available light at depth has been cut dramatically. Your early season haunts are likely nowhere near where you are ice fishing now, and at this point, it’s more about just getting bites rather than talking about how many you’re catching.
Crappie are probably the trendiest fish to pursue. If there is a hot bite out somewhere it doesn’t take long for the multitudes to find out about it. They are also pretty willing biters and some of the tastiest fish out there. Crappie can commonly be found in and amongst the good bluegill areas although the crappie will be found higher in the water column. Crappie will also be found suspended over deeper basins throughout any given lake. This makes them relatively easy to find with your flasher or digital sonar. Find your way out onto the basin and drill a hole and look for suspended fish. When you get on top of them then drop your presentation down right away. Be warned, because it is a basin with no structure to hold them in a certain area, a lot of times these fish will roam about. The challenge will be to stay over them the best you can by drilling extra holes and hole-hopping. Using lithium batteries in your electronics makes this much more doable. Do your arms and back a favor and replace the heavy lead-acid battery in your electronic unit.
There’s something special about a quality fish picture. Whether you plan to share it with friends, post it on social media, or simply keep it to yourself, it’s the perfect way to preserve those memories of a great day on the water. That being said, taking a decent picture isn’t always the easiest task. Thankfully, a little practice and some attention to detail can make all the difference. If taking better fishing pictures is a priority, the following notions should be valuable.
Panfish, walleyes and other game fish receive the lion’s share of angling pressure throughout the winter months – mainly because they are so accessible. Some of the more neglected targets during the ice season include stream trout species – rainbow, brook, and brown trout more specifically. Fortunately for ice anglers, states like Minnesota and Wisconsin put forth a great level of effort to ensure there are catchable trout opportunities available.
Stream trout are stocked across the Midwest in a variety of lakes and ponds. They are worthy adversaries for any ice fisherman and offer a unique experience. Determining the right combination of preparation, location, and presentation can lead to winter trout fishing success.