How to Pick Ice Fishing Spots

Ice fishing is an old sport with a new lure. There are ice fishing huts to keep people warm, ice fishing devices to locate the fish, and lots of company to keep the trip lively. Because of all the new devices to help an ice fisher, the sport is gaining in popularity. Here's how to pick an ice fishing spot where the fish abound.

Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a location with which you are familiar and where you can find the fish you want. Choose the time of day that has been the best for you in the past. Late afternoon is said to be best for most fish. Choose deeper waters in the winter.

    • 2

      Pick an ice fishing spot with electronics. Buy a good depth finder. The Vexilar FL-8 has been known to be very reliable. Pour water on the ice. Aim the flash type depth finder through the ice. Record bottom density so you can mark the fish.

    • 3

      Start fishing by digging a hole. Put proper bait on the lure and drop it down to the bottom. Wind the lure up 5 inches and fish for 15 minutes. If there are no bites, move up 5 more inches. Begin fishing for 10 to 15 more minutes. Continue this until you find fish or reach the surface of the water. Dig a new hole if there are no fish and continue the quest.

    • 4

      Pick an ice fishing spot someone else has told you about. There are several web blogs about ice fishing. Especially in winter, there are regular updates on which lakes are producing the best catches and at what times of day. Ask at a store that sells ice fishing equipment where the ice fishing hot spots are located. People might not give out their favorite hot spot, but they will share the general location.

    • 5

      Search deserted ice for existing holes. Do not choose the dispersed holes because these indicate searching holes. Search the lake until you find several concentrated holes. This indicates that there were fish and anglers here. Start fishing and see if the people left without the fish.

    • 6

      Search among rock, gravel and weedline areas just before the deep water. Fish need food and protection. Look in areas where these would be abundant. Temperature and light play a role in fish distribution and are usually better in these areas.

    • 7

      Look in areas where no one else is. Search the secret areas where less anglers travel. They might have found something adequate and stopped searching for the big one.