Basics for Ice Fishing Walleyes

There's no need to wait for Spring, Summer, or Fall when it comes to fishing for walleye. Fishing through the hard water is a great way to get you through the Winter months.

Factors that affect movements of walleye

There are numerous reason that would affect the movements of walleye during the winter. For example, they tend to move into deeper water which may be due to the dropping of the water temperature. The walleye can fall into their comfort zone of a preferred and maximum temperature of approximately 39 degrees.
In the Winter months the there is also the fact that the daytime is shortened coupled with snow cover and ice. These factors will greatly deteriorate aquatic plant life and cause the weeds to turn brown until they wilt and die. The elimination of weeds can mean the loss of their food source, protective cover and oxygen.
Walleye will also move deeper when they are bothered by different types of fishing traffic such as snowmobiles, cars, and noisy trucks. Any ruckus happening on the top of the ice will force the walleye to move to the bottom. This is more common on shallow lakes where as on deep lakes the surface noise isn't much of a concern.

How to find Walleye

To truly succeed ice fishing walleyes, you should know when to fish. You may just have to settle for a late trip during the Winter. As Spring nears walleye will be getting ready to spawn as soon as the ice goes out especially on the rivers.
Ice fishing is very challenging in the dead of winter because you will need to think of the water below such as structure and currents, deep holes, river bends as well as the movement of the fish during the day. The top priority to finding walleye is locating the bait fish and some type of structure.

Flexibility is another important key in locating walleye when you are on the ice. You will need to be able to move from one location to another. This is due to the fact that the walleyes will move throughout the day, and you should be able to locate the school of walleyes and follow their movement. Always being mobile is the key to catching more walleye.

Know where they will likely spawn

When late winter settles in, the walleye will begin to move looking for specific locations where they can spawn. If you are aware of their spawning routes, you can start drilling holes at different depths and wait for the walleye to swim through. They usually swim in big schools. So the action can be fast and furious for a time. It will make it very easy to catch the walleye if you know where they are likely to spawn. Once the water temperature starts to rise they will begin moving into the area. They are usually hungry and will make you a happy fisherman with a bucket full of eyes.

When is the best time to fish

Late afternoon, evening or early morning are usually the best time to ice fish for walleye The reason you fish at these times for walleye is that the chances are greater for success and there are not as many anglers at these times. It would also be extremely helpful if you can drill holes in different locations and in varying depths. You shouldn't expect that you will be able to get fish when you settle for fishing the same depth with all your tip ups. Spread your holes out, some shallow some deep and jig some holes along with the tip ups.
Most anglers use many different jigging techniques to attract walleye because it offers something different to the fish besides just tip ups. Since they will be somewhat aggressive during their feeding frenzy, you can use Gulp Alive or plastics to tip your lure as opposed to live bait. Sometimes when fish are aggressive using no bait or plastic at all on your jigging Rapala or Chubby Darter works just as well.

Remember safety first

Always remember ice isn't totally safe ever, so be prepared when out on the ice. Bring a safe line, ice picks, flotation vest, ice cleats for your boots. Ask the locals for the ice conditions, good ice depths are 4" to walk on, 6" for ATV's or snowmobiles, and 16" for trucks. Don't take chances if you're not sure, stay off the ice. It's not worth an accident for a fish. The fish will always be there for next time.

Good luck and keep fishing,

Gary

Strike Master Lazer Mag Express Ice Auger

Well the ice fishing season is well under way as we are into February now. With the cold weather this year we have a lot of ice. Some lakes are up to 30” of ice and some auger extensions will be needed, especially if the cold weather stays in place through the end of the month. By now you have drilled many holes and you either love you auger or hate it. Now’s not the time to have an ice auger that doesn’t cut well or isn’t very reliable. My wife wanted to get me one big present for Christmas which was great. I told her if you get me one just one, I want the Strike Master Lazer Mag Express. I used the Jiffy STX Pro and the Strike Master and liked the Lazer Mag Express better. It cuts much smother and does not collect ice in the auger. It saves from pulling the auger out of the hole to free the ice and then go back down to continue cutting the hole.


The Jiffy bogs down much more and doesn’t seem to have the torque the Strike Master does. I’ve had my Lazer Mag Express for 5 years now. I have never changed or sharpened my blades and it still cuts like butter. The only maintenance I’ve done is change the spark plug this year. It runs like a top and starts on 1 or 2 pulls, always. I was recently out fishing with a very popular fishing guide in the Midwest who fishes over 300 days a year and he’s a Jiffy guy. But after he used my Strike Master Lazer Mag Express, he was hooked and went out and bought one. He cuts thousands of holes every winter and said it cuts without putting any force on the auger and is faster. Remember time is money to a fishing guide.

The Lazer Mag Express has a 8” or 10” auger with a 42” drilling auger depth, has a 2hp Tecumseh engine, with steel blades and a powder-coated auger. The 8” model weighs only 24lbs. and the 10” is 27lbs. From my experience the Strike Master Lazer Mag Express 8” is faster and much smoother on the cut than the Jiffy. The 8” runs about $425 If that’s a bit high on price get the Strike Master Mag 2000 ice auger, it has the single chipper auger and is available in 8 ¾” and 10 ¼” cuts and the 8 ¼” runs about $399. - Gary

Check out the StrikeMaster Mag 2000 Power Ice Auger

Frabill Ice Fishing Pail Pack and Ice Skimmer

Ice fishing without my Frabill Pail Pack just wouldn’t be the same. It keeps all my gear organized, and my ice rods tangled free. I put my ice rods, scoopers, and wooden tip ups on the outside of my bucket. That frees up the inside for my catch, or other lures, and accessories. When ice fishing, you want to be very organized and only carry out what you need. The Frabill Pail Pack keeps it simple. These are a pretty hot item and may be sold out, but you check Fleet Farm, Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops or Dicks Sporting Goods.

Another great tool to have is the Frabill Ice Skimmer with the 30" Handle. This model features Polypropylene reinforced nylon construction, a 30-in engraved ruler on the handle and a large scoop to remove ice shavings more effectively. The long handle design prevents stress on your back, less bending over to keep the ice clear. The ruler comes in handy to measure the ice thickness too. - Gary

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Timber fishing isn’t just for Spring

When I use Northland short shank jigs and minnows fishing in 30-40 foot of stained water lakes in Northern Wisconsin I win Spring Walleye Tournaments. Fishing in these deep water conditions and winning a tournament is rare. Walleye’s stay close to spawning area’s especially the males sometimes well into June. The shoreline timber and drop off underwater timber is great for spring Walleye. This is because the Walleye doesn’t want to chase dinner any farther than they have to. The best thing about timber is that you don’t have to search far for food, because their food source is always around timber for protection and cover, just like the Walleye’s are. They hang around timber because their food is close and prey is easy. The Walleye also need timber and weeds for their protection from other predators such as Northerns, Musky, and bigger Walleye. Just remember, everybody needs food and all fish are food.

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Fishing in timber takes a lot of patience and stealth, you need to be quiet, have a rod with good back bone and a fast tip. I recommend a 6’3” St. Croix Walleye Tournament Legend, Medium with a good reel, like the Shiman Stradic 1500. Also a must is either Power Pro braided stretch 8lb. test line (red or green) or Fireline Crystal. Great jigs to use are the Northland Weed Weasel or the Lindy Timber jig which helps you from snagging. I do not use weedless hooks because I’m so used to timber fishing. I set up right over the timber and use my polarized sunglasses to look into the trees or brush and drop the line down between the limbs and twigs. As soon as the Walleye takes your jig you need to set the hook and get him out of there ASAP. This is when a good rod reel and no stretch line come into play. If you’re fishing a large tree or timber area there could be a lot of Walleye down there. I’ve caught as many as 10 Walleyes and a few Northern from 1 big tree. Don’t think because you see 1 little tree there wont be anybody home, just like an iceberg there’s a lot more tree underwater than you see above. When fishing open water timber you can vertical jig, cast and retrieve, or even drag jig. If you are casting and dragging you should use a weedless jig that way you can jump your jig over the snag. Always remember if you use a weedless, always trim the weedless part of the jig to only the length you need, just to cover the hook. You will get a better hook percentage and less chance of spooking the skittish fish.

If you are in the Northwood’s…Northern Wisconsin, the U P, or Minnesota look for fallen Cedar trees or Birch which provide a lot of cover and limbs. If you are not in the Northwood’s where trees are everywhere, then any timber or tree would do.

Fishing timber is something I do all year long not just in the Spring. It can definitely be a challenge though, getting snagged can be good thing. It means that you are where the fish are, so be patient. Minnows, leeches, or night crawlers work best depending on time of year. I’ve also hammered a lot of aggressive Summer and Fall Walleye with Berkley Power grubs and Northland Slurpies Swim'n Grubs.

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Timber fishing can be very productive and rewarding if you put your time in and use the right equipment. So just remember to stay quiet, still and be patient and you’ll end up with a great day on the water.

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Be prepared on your next fishing adventure

Before venturing onto a new body of water, or out for the first time fishing, getting yourself well prepared will make your fishing trip much more enjoyable. First of all get yourself the best map available. They are easy to find at Bass Pro Shops, Dicks Sporting Goods, Gander Mountain, or your local bait shop. You can always contact someone who has some knowledge of the lake like a fishing guide, local bait shop, the DNR, or other fisherman you know who might fish the body of water you choose.

Another great source of information in the Midwest is Lake-link.com. Be sure to choose a lake that has a good population of the fish species you are looking for and head out around the time of year that the fish are most active. Sonar tables are also useful in any fishing or hunting magazine, this will give you the most active times of day for fishing. Don’t forget your gear, a great place to start shopping for your fishing gear is Bass Pro Shops, Dicks Sporting goods and Gander Mountain. A good jig to start with is the Northland Gum Ball Jig in a yellow or green. Look for the short shank that way you can put the minnow or night crawler on and cover up the whole shank of the hook. As always…Good luck and keep fishing - Gary

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Northland Forage Minnow Jigs

Northland Forage Minnow Jigs are one of my favorite ice fishing jigs. It’s not too small so you can target a wider range of fish. They come in sizes 6 or 8 and in 6 different colors.

The Northland Forage Minnow Jig is holographic which gives it a shiner fingerling image with 3D eyes and hard for fish to resist. I tip mine with about 3 or 4 waxies or even Gulp Alive colored waxies to cover the hook…it’s almost a sure thing. Perch, White Bass and Crappies are my usual target with this jig. But you would be surprised with how many Walleye’s I catch too…What a bonus!

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