LINCOLN, Neb. — Catching fish through the ice can be a fun way to spend a winter day. Winter days are shorter, so any time spent outdoors is a bonus. But with ice-fishing, safety always should come first. It always starts with ice thickness. When is the ice thick enough to go out for...
The best days are days when fish will eat anything but as ice fishermen, we know that is unlikely. Choosing a bait that does not coincide with fish behavior can lead to inefficiency and greatly decrease angling success. While fish behaviors are out of our control, we can control educated bait choices and potentially increase...
The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges winter anglers to use extreme caution when venturing on the ice. Jackie Lundstrom, operations supervisor for the enforcement division, said ice conditions are some of the worst she has seen for this time of the year. “Especially thickness varying over a short distance,” she said. “Ice...
To be incredibly obvious, one of the unique things about ice-fishing is, well, the ice. An angler stands on the ice, and the fish are literally below your feet. To get to those fish, you have to have some specialized gear to make a hole. I once watched three new ice anglers set out to...
If targeting Maine salmon and brook trout, don’t miss the early season for these species as the best fishing generally occurs within the first two weeks of ice-in. Tip two is the same as last year, learn to jig! – Fisheries Resource Supervisor Jim Pellerin The number one tip when it comes to ice fishing...
While there won’t be early ice as many hoped, it’s time to get ready for those angling opportunities that will come when the ice is finally ready. Two weeks ago, it appeared that ice-on-the-pond was going to happen soon. Today, it doesn’t look like that so much. Not so long ago, for many of us,...
Henrys Lake has been good to anglers this year and catch rates underneath the ice are continuing that trend into the colder months. By James Brower, Regional Communications Manager Anglers are hitting the ice early on Henrys Lake this year Henrys Lake has been good to anglers this year and catch rates underneath the ice...