Trout often cruise just a foot or three beneath the ice, and one of the reasons many ice fishermen only encounter them on rare occasions is that they’re fishing far below most of the fish. Third, fish relatively shallow areas. Flats of four to 10 feet are plenty deep for finding trout under the ice.
What is the best depth to ice fish lake trout?
between 80 and 160 feet
Lake Trout are typically found in water that is 60 to 200 feet or deeper. Typically, you will want to fish your lure in depths between 80 and 160 feet. Two of the best tactics to catch lakers are pounding the bottom and playing keep away.
What’s the best bait for ice fishing trout?
Ice Fishing Techniques
Some anglers prefer to still-fish bait (maggots, earthworms, frozen krill, or pieces of cooked shrimp) or synthetic/artificial baits (like Power Bait or Gulp). Place a small sinker or split shot on the line 30 centimetres above a baited hook.
What is the best depth for ice fishing?
3-to-20 feet deep
In my experience, I’ve found that most of the best ice-fishing action comes in water from 3-to-20 feet deep. I like to set up my traps so that they cover a variety of depths. Areas with rock piles, weed beds, or dramatic contours are all good spots.
What is the best time of day to ice fish for lake trout?
The best time of day to ice fishing for lake trout is late afternoon right around sunset. Early morning can be really good too but late afternoon seems to be the golden time in the winter for hungry lake trout.
How deep are lake trout in January?
10 to 35 feet deep
The nice part about fishing with the absence of a thermocline in the cold months is that many fish are not as deep as during the summer months. Anglers can capitalize on catching trout from 10 to 35 feet deep in ice-cold waters during December, January, and February.
Where can I find trout under the ice?
Work all depths from 6 inches off the bottom to a few feet below the ice. Trout will tend to suspend in depths that run parallel to the shallow ledge depth. So if the water is only 4 feet deep where the ledge quickly drops off, the fish may be suspended at 4 feet over deeper water.
Does Powerbait work for ice fishing?
Re: power bait under the ice
Occaisonally it does work better than worms or other natural baits. So if you have sucess with it, keep using it I say. I have seen it catch brookies and cutts as well. Even saw a guy catch a laker on a small ball of powerbait.
Do trout feed on top or bottom?
Trout are not bottom feeders like carp or catfish. But, they do feed predominantly near or just off the bottom. Trout prefer to wait and cruise in the bottom 2-3 feet of water to intercept any food that drifts by.
How many pounds can 4 inches of ice hold?
about 200 pounds
Ice is not considered safe to walk on until it is at least 4 inches thick. At 4” the ice is suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and walking and can support about 200 pounds. At 5 inches of new clear ice should be enough to hold a single snowmobile or ATV or about 800 pounds.
Is 3 inches of ice safe to fish on?
With 4 inches of new, clear ice, an average-sized angler is generally safe to venture out on foot. Anything less than 4 inches is considered too risky. Many avid ice anglers look forward to first ice as the fish are often eager to bite. These anglers travel light with minimal gear.
How long should an ice fishing leader be?
8′-12′ works for me. I check them for nicks after every trip out as well.
How deep do lake trout go in winter?
20 feet to 60 feet
Depth is doubly important in winter. Early in the ice fishing season, lake trout can be caught in a variety of depths — typically from 20 feet to 60 feet — but often into water approaching and exceeding 100 feet deep. As winter progresses, though, usually in February, a midseason lull begins.
Do trout bite at night through the ice?
Re: trout at night
Though the ice the bite is usually good shallow, morning and evening, deep throughout the day, then typically dying off as darkness falls. A trout’s diet is limited under the ice(depending on location) to mainly minnows, backswimmers, waterboatman, and insect larva.
Does time of day matter for ice fishing?
The best time of day to ice fish is during the first couple of hours after sunrise, and for about 2 hours both before and after sunset. These are the times when most fish are heading to their feeding grounds, and when most species are active.
Do trout hide under ice?
Lake Trout Depth in Winter
Since the surfaces of deep waters are too cold for trout, they tend to linger near the shore. You usually see them hiding under boulders, neck-down channels, and shoals. They are most active near areas with small fish and insects in those places.
How do you find lake trout through the ice?
Concentrate on structures rising up to 30 to 60 feet found within lake basins and on deep flats. Rock walls adjacent to deep water are another hotspot. Trout trap baitfish against the steep breaks. Icy water temperatures give trout the freedom to go where they please.
How do you fish rainbow trout in the winter?
Look for areas on the lake that offer flat shoals with a drop off ledges. Rainbows like to cruise the ledges adjacent to weeded areas seeking forage. Drill your holes close to shore in about 3 feet of water. If you drill into weeds, then move out 4 to 5 feet at a time until you locate the weed line.
Can you jig for trout at night?
The answer is yes, trout bite at night and you can often get a better bite from them during the night than in the day. This is especially true for brown trout, which feed very actively during the hours of darkness, but also applies to brook trout and rainbow trout (including the ones in stocked ponds).
How do you attract fish when ice fishing?
10 Ways to Attract Fish While Ice Fishing That Really Work
- Chumming and scents. Chumming is the most obvious way of attracting fish to a centralized location.
- Glow lures.
- Bottom bouncing.
- Turn on the transducer.
- Change up your presentation.
- Match the hatch.
- Cover the hole.
- Bring in some flash.
Are Leeches good for ice fishing?
They actually work great. The secret is to keep them in your mouth so they are warm. I’ve used the Gulp Alive Leeches, they work well at times. Like any bait, they have their time and place.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.