Ice fishing is much like deer hunting from a stand. In order to be successful you must be in the best place at the correct time using the right gear or you are just not going to do very well. Knowledge of the fish you plan to take is also a very important when still fishing on ice. I know of no deer hunter who would go to the woods and set up next to a group of other hunters. There are just to many things that can spook off a deer or walleye for that matter. Yet as you look across any ice covered lake, it is clear that most ice fishermen do not apply the same technique they do when setting out a deer stand. I feel I am a successful walleye angler, not the best, not a pro, but I do catch a fair share of the old marble eyes and I do so by following the same techniques used to hunt for deer. Knowledge, Location and Presentation are the three items I follow when hunting down walleyes during the ice season.
Knowledge: OK - so I am not the smartest man on earth - BY FAR! However, I do know a few things about walleye. I have spent most of my life on the lakes of Minnesota and read alot of information on fishing. It is also important to know about the lake you are fishing, the DNR web site will provide you with information on almost any lake in Minnesota ( LAKE MAP SITE ). I will review all the information available on every lake I fish. Local bait stores are also an excellent source of information on lakes in the area. Reading articles and books is also a wonderful way to gain knowledge - well if you are reading this now - you know that!! If you take all I know and shorten it into a simple statement - here it is.... Walleye prefer harder bottoms, near deeper water, and they feed most during low light conditions. They also rely on sight and smell the most when deciding what to eat.
Location: This is were I have the most fun! If you're a hunter, then you know that if you are in the wrong place - you just are not going to see anything. The same idea's apply here - look for area's that will hold walleyes. Hard bottoms, near deep water are my favorite spots! So I will often take a topographic map and mark my favorite spots in numbers from 1 to 5, starting with the largest reef, bar, or hump, near the deepest water available on that lake. I will then mark my second best spots the same way only in a different color. These spots include large weed flats near deep water, inlets, or any other structure that would hold food. With plenty of spots to fish marked on the map its time to go to work and get that Walleye stand on a spot!
When I arrive on the lake, the first thing I look for is other fishermen, as does everyone. However, I mark any spot covered with other fishermen off my map and in most cases will work my way well past them to a different spot. I like to set my walleye stand were there are no existing fishermen. Once on a spot, I use a Vexilar FL-8 to find the main structure, lets say it's a long point dropping into deeper water. In this case, I like to find a starting point. Let's say the spot closest to the deep water and I will move 5 yards at a time along this point looking for anything different. What I am trying to find is structure on structure, like a rock pile sitting at the end of a point. When you have found something of interest, check it out! Mark all the way around the spot (if small enough) or follow the structure until you find something even better. Now is a good time to start fishing. I will often put a tip up in this spot and move around the structure looking for even more spots. I like to have a couple of spots near by as a back up plan if needed. I have had more than one time were I have spent the time to find a wonderful spot, only to have 15 other fishermen show up just before dark and come fish next to me. This is a good time to have a back up plan!
Presentation: Simple. If you know everything there is to know about deer, put you stand in the worlds best location but if you splash on a ½ cup of Old Spice aftershave and use a wolf call not a doe call - you are not going to do so well!
When it comes to presentation, nothing is as important to me as environment the fish is living in. Walleyes prefer clear, cool, moving water. In the best of locations I use the least amount of presentation and vise A versa. On a clear lake, with ideal conditions - I will size down my bait and tackle and will use a simple jigging pattern. (just off the bottom, bring bait 2-6 inches up and drop, repeat). The same goes on a soft bottom lake with colored or stained water conditions were I will use a larger bait, often glow in the dark with rattles and use a faster jigging style. (just touching the bottom, up 6 inches with a snap, then up and down 5 times 2-4 inches, and drop to bottom, lift up 3 inch and drop, Repeat). My favorite set up for this type of jigging is a medium action rod and reel combo with a spoon and a minnow head.
I hope you all have a safe and wonderful fishing season! Remember - watch the Vexilar FL-8 at all times! Watching a 3lb walleye (or bigger) coming in and hammering your bait on the screen is like seeing a beautiful 8 pointer standing to its side in your scope!
Enjoy the Experience and happy Walleye Hunting!
Randy "RandyMan" Johnson