Bass through the ice??? 2024
Ineedanewscreenname20161031 reply :
Can anyone give me tips on finding bass during the ice fishing season in southeastern Minnesota
MassYak85 reply :
I would personally target weedlines or large holes in the weeds to start. Bass can be found shallower than you might think in the middle of winter. I saw some big ones pulled out by people fishing in 3 feet of water last winter. A lot of the same logic from open water still applies in the winter. Bass will find spots where they can easily ambush prey without using much effort. Finding cover is often key. Bass also usually relate to the bottom in the winter a lot and fishing just off the bottom (usually 6" to a couple feet) above the bottom or the tops of weeds can be the ticket. If you are using tip-ups shiners do well. I don't know what the baitfish regulations are like in Minnesota but guys around here use BIG pond shiners and BIG suckers (8+ inches) to target the big girls. But many bass can be had on small or medium regular shiners you might get at a bait shop. Some guys also use perch and pumpkinseeds (again, check your baitfish regulations) as well. If you are looking to jig for bass stuff like a Lindy Darter can be effective. I might be mistaken but Minnesota has a pretty good population of Pike does it not?
Part of me likes ice fishing even more than open water fishing (notice profile pic). There's nothing like seeing the flag go up on the tip up you put the BIG bait on and running 200 feet to get it, and then getting to the hole and seeing your spool screaming out to one direction. Then you turn around and 2 more flags are up and you've got yourself 5-10 straight minutes of frantic fun ahead, and you pull up one line with the possibilities lurking in your head of what's on the others behind you as you pull in a fish.
"hamma" reply :
No matter where you ice fish, if your new to it?,....Just be careful out there on the ice please,..Ice fishing can be alot of fun. The guys I used to ice fish with? We had a blast, no shelters, but a gas grill,a coleman stove, a huge cooler with plenty of food and drink were staples. It was like a cookout on the ice with a radio, a frisbee, and so on. Hot off the grill steak tips, chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs, etc, are a welcome fare when its cold out there,..Like I said alot of fun, but that was on "safe" ice, at least 8 to 10 inches of ice.
One day I was out fishing alone, on thinner than that Ice, But being alone all i needed was like 4 to 6 inches of ice to be safe, and If I recall it was slightly thicker, and as I headed home I unknowingly walked over the spring, and ended up swimming instead of treading "safe ice"., And yeah, even though Ive been icefishing for years? It was truely a rookie mistake.. Nonetheless,...Ive since given up on ice fishing. So, please ,...be careful out there.
frogflogger reply :
On 10/31/2016 at 10:17 AM, MassYak85 said:I would personally target weedlines or large holes in the weeds to start. Bass can be found shallower than you might think in the middle of winter. I saw some big ones pulled out by people fishing in 3 feet of water last winter. A lot of the same logic from open water still applies in the winter. Bass will find spots where they can easily ambush prey without using much effort. Finding cover is often key. Bass also usually relate to the bottom in the winter a lot and fishing just off the bottom (usually 6" to a couple feet) above the bottom or the tops of weeds can be the ticket. If you are using tip-ups shiners do well. I don't know what the baitfish regulations are like in Minnesota but guys around here use BIG pond shiners and BIG suckers (8+ inches) to target the big girls. But many bass can be had on small or medium regular shiners you might get at a bait shop. Some guys also use perch and pumpkinseeds (again, check your baitfish regulations) as well. If you are looking to jig for bass stuff like a Lindy Darter can be effective. I might be mistaken but Minnesota has a pretty good population of Pike does it not?
Part of me likes ice fishing even more than open water fishing (notice profile pic). There's nothing like seeing the flag go up on the tip up you put the BIG bait on and running 200 feet to get it, and then getting to the hole and seeing your spool screaming out to one direction. Then you turn around and 2 more flags are up and you've got yourself 5-10 straight minutes of frantic fun ahead, and you pull up one line with the possibilities lurking in your head of what's on the others behind you as you pull in a fish.
MassYak85 is correct about how shallow you can catch them in winter - we used marabou jigs and beetles on ultra lights and caught them in 3' - 4' it was a blast - don't get that kind of winters much around here any more.
MassYak85 reply :
On 10/31/2016 at 6:38 PM, "hamma" said:No matter where you ice fish, if your new to it?,....Just be careful out there on the ice please,..Ice fishing can be alot of fun. The guys I used to ice fish with? We had a blast, no shelters, but a gas grill,a coleman stove, a huge cooler with plenty of food and drink were staples. It was like a cookout on the ice with a radio, a frisbee, and so on. Hot off the grill steak tips, chicken wings, burgers, hot dogs, etc, are a welcome fare when its cold out there,..Like I said alot of fun, but that was on "safe" ice, at least 8 to 10 inches of ice.
One day I was out fishing alone, on thinner than that Ice, But being alone all i needed was like 4 to 6 inches of ice to be safe, and If I recall it was slightly thicker, and as I headed home I unknowingly walked over the spring, and ended up swimming instead of treading "safe ice"., And yeah, even though Ive been icefishing for years? It was truely a rookie mistake.. Nonetheless,...Ive since given up on ice fishing. So, please ,...be careful out there.
Yes PLEASE be careful. The ice is never 100% safe. I don't care if there is 2 feet of it. You don't know where those underground springs are or where a group of geese decided to rest up. There was one pond last year that got to over a foot thick but guess what....there was about a thousand foot swath that NEVER froze because about 20 swans decided that's where they wanted to spend the winter. The type of ice is also important. Clear black ice while it may look the sketchiest, is going to be the strongest. I would recommend buying an ice pick so you can "test" the ice as you walk out. Go with another person if you can, or fish in reasonable distance of others if you are alone.
Yeajray231 reply :
Your personal best is over 15lbs huh... not in in Minnesota if so ! Ha-ha. if its true I think you're the one that should be giving some pointers on this site.
CrustyMono reply :
On 11/1/2016 at 1:57 AM, Yeajray231 said:Your personal best is over 15lbs huh... not in in Minnesota if so ! Ha-ha. if its true I think you're the one that should be giving some pointers on this site.
lol i didn't notice that
Sam reply :
All I can add is for you to watch out for flying pucks and crazy defensemen as they skate around you.
Growing up in south Louisiana makes it impossible for me to comprehend fishing on ice.
Have fun and be sure to duck.
soflabasser reply :
On 11/1/2016 at 1:57 AM, Yeajray231 said:Your personal best is over 15lbs huh... not in in Minnesota if so ! Ha-ha. if its true I think you're the one that should be giving some pointers on this site.
Maybe the OP means Striped Bass?
Yeajray231 reply :
Doesn't look like he is going to respond... maybe he's talking about his biggest fish ever regardless of species.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
heres my trick! shallow pond. 10 feet deep or so. fish near cover. the love trees and stumps. shiner on tip ups
but ive also caught them jiggin before
i catch a lot of bass through the ice!
Mainebass1984 reply :
I fish for bass through the ice pretty often. First ice is usually the best action. January is good as well. February can be tough. Warm march day can be fantastic. I like to use the biggest shiners I can find. It can be very fast action. I target green weeds most of the time. Another tactic I have had good luck with is targeting the middle of a spawning cove 2-5 ft off of bottom. You can have some excellent days through the ice and catch some very large bass, the largest I have got through the ice is 6 lbs 8 oz. The action can be insane, 50 fish days are possible. We are allowed 5 lines in ME, 6 in NH, 8 in VT and 15 on Lake Champlain. The past couple years I have been actively jigging for them use a vexilar flasher. t is far more exciting then waiting for flags if the fishing is slow.
Ratherbfishing reply :
I have always heard "shallow in early and late season and deeper during mid-season but since I generally only ice fish smaller bodies of water, I haven't really practiced this and can't verify its truth. Weedy flats in around 5 to 7 feet of water always seem to work best for me. If there is a submerged brush pile or other cover, all the better.
Tip ups using live bait is somewhat of a numbers game where you spread out "lots" of tip ups (check your state regulations to see how many are allowed). The other method is to use a flasher to "pin point" a good spot (or spots). Some people do both tip ups and using a flasher. I prefer the latter (only) as I'm not very good at multi tasking and, really, I don't stay on a hole very long if it's not producing anyway. I was apprehensive about buying a flasher as the cost seemed prohibitive but it really does provide"real time" information about what is happening under the ice and if the location is worth bothering with at all. AND it it easy to see where your lure/bait/jig is in relation to the bottom and in relation to the fish.
Once thing I've noticed is that if you are marking and/or catching smaller fish (such as sunfish or crappie) and it suddenly "dries up", don't move right away as sometimes a larger predator fish (such as a bass, catfish, or pike) has moved into the area and has frightened off the smaller fish. It isn't always the case but I've seen it enough to know not to leave immediately.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
i normally fish shallow ponds usually small. one pond i fish frquently i catch bass up along the shoreline trees but there is a good dropoff along this side. another pond i normall fish bass can be anywhere from 4 feet deep along the shore to the middle in 8 feet. another pond we fished the middle in about 6-10 feet of water and smoked em
so experiment, try along shore and out towards the middle! youll get em
gimruis reply :
Here's the best advice I can give you about ice drinking: don't go. You can't fall through the ice if you just stay off of it.
If you must go, wait for at least a foot of ice and bring a lot of beer because that's what 99% of its all about. Don't risk your life on thin ice for a few dinky panfish.
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 8:46 AM, gimruis said:Here's the best advice I can give you about ice drinking: don't go. You can't fall through the ice if you just stay off of it.
If you must go, wait for at least a foot of ice and bring a lot of beer because that's what 99% of its all about. Don't risk your life on thin ice for a few dinky panfish.
Ice drinking and ice fishing are completely different sports.
No ice is 100 % safe but 4 inches of black ice and I will be out there.
Some of the best fishing is first ice. If you wait for a foot ice you missed the first ice bite.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
yes 4 inches of ice in my minimum thats for a small amount of people. at first ice i tie a rope around my waist and tie that off to a tree. then i walk out with my spud,( heavy ice chisel). i also have spikes around my neck.
ive fallen through the ice TWICE!!
Yeajray231 reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 8:46 AM, gimruis said:Here's the best advice I can give you about ice drinking: don't go. You can't fall through the ice if you just stay off of it.
If you must go, wait for at least a foot of ice and bring a lot of beer because that's what 99% of its all about. Don't risk your life on thin ice for a few dinky panfish.
Sounds like personal experience to me. Being from Michigan ice fishing is a part of life for alot of folks there. And I've seen HUGE pike, musky , crappie , perch, walleye , and damm near everything in between get pulled up through the ice. And I'm talking HUGE for all of those species. So some remark about ice fishing not worth it "for some dinky panfish" truly shows your lack of knowledge on the subject.
MassYak85 reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 8:46 AM, gimruis said:Here's the best advice I can give you about ice drinking: don't go. You can't fall through the ice if you just stay off of it.
If you must go, wait for at least a foot of ice and bring a lot of beer because that's what 99% of its all about. Don't risk your life on thin ice for a few dinky panfish.
Again with the ice thickness thing....there are times where 3-4 inches of pure solid black ice will hold people for ice fishing, and there are times you will have poor quality white ice a foot thick and it won't hold. You have to personally determine the ice safety EVERY TIME you go out. Just because other people are out there doesn't make it safe. Just because you saw an ice thickness safety chart and it "should" be good doesn't make it safe. Just because it was good yesterday doesn't make it safe.
On 11/3/2016 at 8:39 PM, swamp hawgs said:yes 4 inches of ice in my minimum thats for a small amount of people. at first ice i tie a rope around my waist and tie that off to a tree. then i walk out with my spud,( heavy ice chisel). i also have spikes around my neck.
This is some good advise, spies and a chisel are a must.
Ratherbfishing reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 8:39 PM, swamp hawgs said:yes 4 inches of ice in my minimum thats for a small amount of people. at first ice i tie a rope around my waist and tie that off to a tree. then i walk out with my spud,( heavy ice chisel). i also have spikes around my neck.
ive fallen through the ice TWICE!!
A couple of winters ago I was out fishing on the ice (safe enough for me but was not super thick) when a large group of curious Asian people (clearly students from from the nearby University) came out onto the ice to investigate. Nothing happened (fortunately) and they were a nice bunch but I did caution them that they needed to be careful as the ice could not support TOO many people standing in one spot. I don't really know if they understood me or, if they did, they might have thought I was just a "stick in the mud" but the ice is NOT something to treat lightly.
soflabasser reply :
Nice catches. Ice fishing is on my bucket list of things to do.
Yeajray231 reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 5:08 AM, soflabasser said:Nice catches. Ice fishing is on my bucket list of things to do.
Bass fishing in Florida is one of mine ha-ha. I hope we both succeed!!
soflabasser reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 5:12 AM, Yeajray231 said:Bass fishing in Florida is one of mine ha-ha. I hope we both succeed!!
We will,all we have to do is go on vacation.I been wanting to go Ice fishing since I was a child.Might make another trip up north during the next winter for some ice fishing.Let me know in advance when you go to South Florida and I will give you locations for both freshwater/saltwater fishing.
MassYak85 reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 3:00 AM, Ratherbfishing said:A couple of winters ago I was out fishing on the ice (safe enough for me but was not super thick) when a large group of curious Asian people (clearly students from from the nearby University) came out onto the ice to investigate. Nothing happened (fortunately) and they were a nice bunch but I did caution them that they needed to be careful as the ice could not support TOO many people standing in one spot. I don't really know if they understood me or, if they did, they might have thought I was just a "stick in the mud" but the ice is NOT something to treat lightly.
Last year wasn't that great for ice fishing due to the unseasonably warm weather in MA, so we had a very late first ice. I watch the temps pretty close when it starts getting time for ice fishing so the first weekend after a week of 30's or below I went out with a buddy to test it out and do a little fishing. We get to the pond and I walk about 10-20 feet from shore to test it. My spud bar has water coming up through in one solid hit. Now it was pretty sharp and I can do that to about 5 inches of ice so I decided to drill a test hole. It's about 3 inches thick. I would have been comfortable had it been solid pure black ice but it wasn't perfect so i was a little nervous. I decided to put one trap out and then we decided it was too sketchy to venture from shore, we left all our gear on shore and put out one more trap very close to see if there was anything shallow but we didn't want to risk anything over our heads should it give. The ice was making sound while I drilled our 2 holes and not just the usual cracking a pond will make. We had a few guys stop and talk to us since many people scout the ponds around first ice to see which ones froze up best. Then this one guy pulls up with a little sled and some gear, asks us how thick it is and I tell him 3 inches but it's pretty sketchy. Without another word this dude takes his gear (albeit light) and walks straight to the center of the pond and starts fishing. Doesn't test the ice at all. I told my friend there was a good chance we might have to rescue this guy or call for help (there was an ice ladder on the shore the town provides). Thankfully he didn't fall in, but he walks back past us about an hour later and says he was fishing on about 2 1/2 inches of ice.
Don't be that guy. People get eager to go out but make good judgement when you get to the pond or lake.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
thats ballsy man! wow! way to sketchy for me.
i had good winter open water fishing in my yak last year!
MassYak85 reply :
On 11/5/2016 at 3:55 AM, swamp hawgs said:thats ballsy man! wow! way to sketchy for me.
i had good winter open water fishing in my yak last year!
I mean realistically 2-3 inches of solid black ice can hold a single light guy (I'm not saying it's safe), it's just that with all the other unknown variables that will affect and vary the thickness in different spots you can not take that kind of risk.
BrianSnat reply :
On 11/4/2016 at 3:00 AM, Ratherbfishing said:A couple of winters ago I was out fishing on the ice (safe enough for me but was not super thick) when a large group of curious Asian people (clearly students from from the nearby University) came out onto the ice to investigate. Nothing happened (fortunately) and they were a nice bunch but I did caution them that they needed to be careful as the ice could not support TOO many people standing in one spot. I don't really know if they understood me or, if they did, they might have thought I was just a "stick in the mud" but the ice is NOT something to treat lightly.
I was fishing on late season ice with my buddy. The ice was thin enough that we made it a point not to stand too close to each other. In Retrospect we probably shouldnt have been out there at all. Anyway, we hear a couple of ATVs buzzing around the woods. Apparently they saw us on the ice and figured it was good so they took their machines on the ice, with us frantically waving them go back. They got the message and slowly backed up the way theh had come.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
On 11/5/2016 at 5:29 AM, briansnat said:I was fishing on late season ice with my buddy. The ice was thin enough that we made it a point not to stand too close to each other. In Retrospect we probably shouldnt have been out there at all. Anyway, we hear a couple of ATVs buzzing around the woods. Apparently they saw us on the ice and figured it was good so they took their machines on the ice, with us frantically waving them go back. They got the message and slowly backed up the way theh had come.
you probably save their life
salmotrutta reply :
If you know where they are in the late fall they will be there in the winter.Usually schooled up.End of points,bottom of the first drop and basins.I personally like shallow basins or mid depth flats.I no longer set out traps but now jig for them.I will drill a series of holes and start hole hopping.I give a hole 5 minutes to produce.If nothing i move on to another.I am searching for that reaction bite or active fish.Don't let people tell you bass don't bite during the hardwater period.It is very common to catch multiple bass out of one hole.Once you locate an active hole drill a series of holes in proximity to that one.As far as lures the Rapala jiggin shad rap is my go to.1/8 oz. rat l traps and blade baits are also good.
soflabasser reply :
There have been several big bass that have been caught ice fishing. The current state record for Massachusetts(15 pounds,8 ounces) was caught ice fishing and that record still stands after 40 years.
DogBone_384 reply :
On 11/2/2016 at 8:31 PM, swamp hawgs said:heres my trick! shallow pond. 10 feet deep or so. fish near cover. the love trees and stumps. shiner on tip ups
but ive also caught them jiggin before
i catch a lot of bass through the ice!
Mike, you just plain ole catch a lot of bass - everywhere!
Mr. Aquarium reply :
On 11/10/2016 at 4:07 PM, DogBone_384 said:Mike, you just plain ole catch a lot of bass - everywhere!
i love bass fishing!!
DogBone_384 reply :
On 11/12/2016 at 4:10 AM, swamp hawgs said:i love bass fishing!!
No kidding..... It's a lot of fun and challenging to figure out what they're looking for based on 1,000+ variables.
Good for you!
Mr. Aquarium reply :
thats exactly why i love it so much! i learn something new everyday! so many different factors and variables that play a roll. to consistently catch good fish takes skill and many hours of fishing to hone those skills. im not the best fishermen but im not bad either. still so much to figure out and when im 85 on my death bed i still wouldnt have figured it all out!
gimruis reply :
On 11/3/2016 at 8:53 PM, Yeajray231 said:Sounds like personal experience to me. Being from Michigan ice fishing is a part of life for alot of folks there. And I've seen HUGE pike, musky , crappie , perch, walleye , and damm near everything in between get pulled up through the ice. And I'm talking HUGE for all of those species. So some remark about ice fishing not worth it "for some dinky panfish" truly shows your lack of knowledge on the subject.
Don't even start with me I have this conversation with way too many people every winter and every single one admits that its about drinking beer not catching fish
Yeajray231 reply :
On 11/13/2016 at 5:01 AM, gimruis said:Don't even start with me I have this conversation with way too many people every winter and every single one admits that its about drinking beer not catching fish
I sounded a little rude after I re-read what I typed.
But I disagree big time..my grandpa used to take me when I was little and we would catch huge perch and crappie.. I have a couple buddies in michigan that target pike/musky/ and walleye through the ice and I assure you the main goal is to catch fish and not a buzz. Who wants to pack all that gear and sit in the cold drunk ? That's not how I like to spend my buzz but I guess everyone has a preference.
MassYak85 reply :
On 11/13/2016 at 5:01 AM, gimruis said:Don't even start with me I have this conversation with way too many people every winter and every single one admits that its about drinking beer not catching fish
The most crowded I've ever seen some ponds up here is in the middle of February, not June. And the guys going out in 0 degree weather on a sunday while the Pats are playing surely aren't doing it just for the beer, they have warm bars with 50 inch flatscreens for a reason. I get that Ice fishing is not everybody's cup of tea but I don't get your comment about it just being all about beer and catchy dink panfish.
gimruis reply :
That's exactly what they're doing out there. Sitting in their Ice Castles with flat screen TV's, playing cards, and drinking beer.
MassYak85 reply :
On 11/13/2016 at 5:42 AM, gimruis said:That's exactly what they're doing out there. Sitting in their Ice Castles with flat screen TV's, playing cards, and drinking beer.
Forgive me if my sarcasm detector is just low on batteries but I hope that was a joke.
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