Move

Getting out to a noted hotspot and icing several walleyes during the initial part of the season is my favorite time of the entire hard-water season. However, when the bite starts to slow in a hotspot, that is probably a good time to move to another spot. Finding other areas that haven’t seen early ice fishing pressure can often mean a couple more productive fishing trips.

For me, that means keeping my portable shelter packed and equipment organized so that I can branch out and explore new spots. Often these spots will be smaller, less obvious spots I’ve had winter success on in the past, or they can also be spots I’ve located while open-water fishing. In fact, using a GPS to mark summer spots and then to relocate them in the winter has increased my on-the-ice successes.

Seeing is believing

Staying mobile helps increase ice fishing success. The use of good sonar equipment also helps land more fish. As an added bonus, using these tools makes for more enjoyable ice fishing as well.

Sonar is important when jigging for walleyes for various reasons. First, it helps me know just how many fish are in the area I am fishing. Plus, sonar shows fish near my bait. This allows me to adjust the depth my jig is at and, helps me know when adjustments to my jigging motions might be necessary.

Of all the refinements to ice fishing in recent years, the development of good sonar rates near the top. I use a MarCum LX-3 sonar unit for my winter fishing and have been impressed with its ability to show fish very near the bottom. It can also be set to zoom in to a certain area of the water column and it’s very dependable as well.

Be prepared

Earlier I said that I like to keep my portable shelter packed and gear organized so that I’m ready when the time arrives. As I’ve said before, my Ranger Solo is great for toting gear to fishing spots and it doubles as a comfortable, convenient portable fishing shelter.

I try to keep my fishing gear to a basic minimum and keep it well-organized so I can be as mobile as possible. As was mentioned last time, a jigging rod and bobber rod are about all I need to target walleyes through the ice.

Another important part of winter fishing is staying warm. Recently, I’ve been using Cabela’s Polartec underwear as part of my cold weather layering system and have been impressed with its warmth and comfort.

Staying warm and comfortable is important to winter fishing, but so is catching fish. 

For me that means staying mobile in finding fish and using good sonar to help catch them. Hopefully, some of these ideas can help you land more walleyes this winter as well.