Ice Fishing
A Guide To Successful Ice Fishing
In the realm of fishing, there is nothing more user-friendly or inexpensive than ice fishing! Over the past decade, the technology and quality of ice fishing equipment have advanced tremendously. And while there are benefits to having all the latest technology and gear, anyone can get out, fish, and compete with geared up anglers with just some basic equipment. I think that is why this sport is exploding across the country.
In Colorado, trout are an easy species for beginner ice anglers to target. Colorado Parks and Wildlife operates 19 hatcheries that breed, hatch, raise, and stock over 90 million fish per year, with trout being a large number of those fish.
Here are a few tips and tactics for making your day on the ice epic!
Lake Location and Water Depth
In general, across the western United States, productive trout fishing occurs in semi-shallow water (8-12 feet deep). So, how do you know you are fishing in 8 to 12 feet of water without a depth finder or graph? Go simple. When I started ice fishing, the options and availability of graphs were minimal and costly. My father used to take a 25’ construction tape measure and extend it down the hole to figure out depth. This seems a little odd but it worked great and we were always able to figure out depths and find the ultimate spot. Keep this affordable solution in mind if you do not own a graph.
To increase your odds of success, begin fishing adjacent to shoreline points or in areas in which the contour of the lake bottom transitions from shallower water to 8 to 12 feet. These areas typically gather fish looking to feed, a sure-fire win for success!
Timing
Trout will feed throughout the day but in my opinion, the earlier and later hours of the day are usually more productive. I break the day down into two-time slots and options for fishing opportunities. I consider the peak fishing windows to be from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Aligning your fishing around these times will increase your opportunities of putting fish on the ice.
Line, Lures and Presentation
Once you have found the ideal location, depth, and time of day, it is time to fish! As a tournament director, tournament angler, guide, and ice fishing pro, I recommend pairing the type and size of the fishing line with your lure. Use a fishing line that allows your jig to have full motion and is not hindered by line stretch or twist. For example, when using a small tube jig, I prefer to use green 4lb Trilene XL. This line is strong enough to handle a majority of the fish you will catch and gives you full control of the action of your jig.
Fishing Tips
Ice Fishing Rainbow Trout
Join experienced angler Bryan Johnson and his friends as they fish for rainbow trout on 11 mile reservoir in South Park, Colorado.
Technique
I recommend beginning fishing approximately 6” to 10” off the bottom of the lake; however, I am not afraid to fish the entire water column. Many ice anglers miss opportunities to catch fish by solely targeting the bottom portion of the water column. I also pay attention to what jigging cadence attracts the fish and triggers bites. Next time you are ice fishing, try jigging for 30 seconds and then let the bait sit still for 1 minute. Think about the range or height of the jigging stroke. I like to keep my jig in a 4” to 8” window of movement to draw fish into the presentation and to make it easy for them to commit to biting the bait. Generally, it is a combination of the two styles, but whatever is producing the most bites, stick with it!
A very important element is to pay attention and observe what patterns are leading to your success. The excitement of getting a bite and catching a fish usually consumes us, and often, we forget about what we were doing or what we did to get the bite. Paying attention to those details so you can repeat it is one of the single most important things you can do.
Bait
There are limitless options of bait to tip your jig with but at the end of the day, I narrow it down to two characteristics: Scent and Size. I prefer to use baits that produce a scent in the water for at least 30 minutes and I do not want the bait to decrease the action of my jig. The two ultimate baits that I recommend are live wax worms or small cooked salad shrimp from the frozen food section of your local grocery store. Waxworms can be placed whole on the hook and I recommend using ¼ of the salad shrimp on the hook at a time. I use only these two bait options for trout.
See you out on the ice!
Need a Fishing License?
Annual fishing licenses are valid from March 1 through March 31 (13 months). CPW provides a range of options for anglers, from the annual fishing license to the one-day fishing license. Youth under the age of 16 fish for free.