Late Season Ice Fishing

by Bob Jensen

Late Season Ice Fishing

Iced Perch The calendar tells us the winter of 2000-2001 should start to wind down in the near future, although a look outside may make one question that. Nonetheless, avid ice-anglers know that this time of year can provide some excellent ice fishing. Although walleye and northern pike season is closed in some states, crappie, perch, and other panfish are still fair game. And they can be very cooperative this time of year.

There are a few things to keep in mind when ice-fishing this time of year. One of the keys to remember is that these fish have been seeing a lot of baits over the past few months in pretty specific areas, especially this winter. The heavier than usual snowfall has prevented anglers, in some areas, from going wherever they want on the lake. Roads have been plowed on most lakes only to certain areas. The areas that have access to them have been hit pretty hard by anglers, so those fish could be conditioned to certain lures and presentations.

If you can, try areas that haven't seen a lot of fishing pressure. Those will be the areas where the fish might be most susceptible to a lure.

If you decide to continue to fish the areas that have been seeing a lot of fishing pressure, try different lures. If yellow jigs have been the hot bait all winter, try using black jigs, or even go to the extreme and use just a hook/split-shot set-up. Try something different.

If you are going to continue fishing the spots that have been hit all winter, at least get to the edge of the area where the pressure has been most intense. Try to find some fish that aren't as conditioned to fishing pressure as those right in the middle of the action.

When the fish get really aggressive, as they often do this time of year, go with a larger bait. A larger bait will often result in more fish and bigger fish. An eighth ounce Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon is a great perch catcher right now, but when the perch are really hitting, go to the quarter ounce size. I would bet you'll have even better success.

This is the time of year my Frabill Sit'N Fish gets a workout. The Sit'N Fish is a pail that you put your ice-rods and other gear in, then sit on when you get to your fishing spot. It enables an angler to be very mobile, and mobility is important right now. If you don't get bit quickly, move to another spot.

Although the end of another ice-fishing season is in sight, there are still plenty of opportunities to get on the ice. As long as the ice is safe, you should try to get on it. You just might find some of the best ice-fishing action of the year.