How to Ice Fish For Walleye

Ice fishing for walleye is an art, and there are several techniques you can use to make it work. These include changing the light levels and staying in place while fishing. You also want to avoid spooking walleyes with drills. In addition, you need to find out when walleyes are most active.

Using erratic and aggressive lures

Using erratic and aggressive lures can get the walleye’s attention. They are less likely to avoid erratic lures, and they will chase them up the water column. They also have a tendency to crush the bait. This is one of the best ways to catch a walleye.

The key to catching walleye is knowing where to find them. Often times, the best spots are in transition zones, such as drop-offs. But even flat lakes can have good zones. Learn where they are feeding and move around to find them. By using the proper technique, you can successfully catch them. But before you can try this technique, you’ll have to learn some basic fishing knowledge.

First, choose a lure that will entice the fish. Jigs with flashabou, bait, or minnow heads will attract fish. When combined with a gentle shake, these lures will drive the fish crazy and get them to strike.

Using one-two punch

Using a one-two punch when ice fishing for fish is a proven technique that works in most ice fishing situations. A one-two punch consists of fishing horizontally with a fast-moving lure. Then, you’ll follow it up with a smaller, duller lure. This strategy will cover a lot of water and give the fish an opportunity to hit something else.

The technique is also effective when fish are near drop-offs or rocks. The fish are most likely to commit to the bait that is suspended half-way down. This technique also works well when a fish is spookened, and using the best call-in lure can turn a fish that has just spouted away into a hookup.

A one-two punch can also be used when fishing on your own. The first rod can be a jig or a Senko, while the second is a floating jerkbait. This combination will allow you to switch out whichever bait is most effective for catching the fish. A jig with vibration is best, but if a rattle is not necessary, try using a minnow head on the bottom of your ice rig.

Using rattle baits

Using rattle baits as an ice fishing lure will attract fish that otherwise wouldn’t strike. The rattling sounds and glowing lights help fish find the bait and trigger strikes. Since fish can’t see bright colors, rattle baits are especially effective at attracting fish that are up to 30 feet below the surface.

Rattle baits are best used with a medium action baitcasting rod. A rod of around six feet and four inches is recommended. If using a spinning rod, use one with a large spool and large enough line to quickly work the bait. Generally, 12-14 pound fluorocarbon line works best.

If the walleye are lethargic, you can also use a lipless crankbait. These are most effective in shallow water as they give walleyes more time to react to the lure. This will make a big difference for sluggish walleye in icy water.

Finding walleyes in the dark

During the early part of the winter season, walleyes typically hold down in deeper waters, far from any major structural features. They will suspend off a rocky point or drop-off and position themselves just below a school of forage fish. This means that it can be tough to find walleyes during this time of day. However, there are a few tricks that you can use to increase your odds of success.

First of all, try to avoid drilling holes in the ice. This is because drilling holes in ice can scare the fish away. As the day turns to night, walleye will move from deep areas toward the flats to find food. You will end up spending more time fishing if you don’t drill into the ice.

Secondly, try using a jigging spoon. These will help you locate the walleyes hiding in the deepest areas. Also, try fishing with minnows. The larger the bait, the better.

Choosing the right lure

The lure you use can make a difference in whether you catch a walleye or not. Choosing a lure that mimics a baitfish is essential if you want to land the big one. A LiveTarget Rattlebait is the perfect choice because of its powerful rattles and realistic paint job. This lure is great for catching walleye and is one of the oldest styles of lures for ice fishing.

In addition to using the right lure, you should also pay attention to the way that the lure looks and acts on the fish. If the lure looks too slick, the fish might not bite. This means that you need to adjust your technique to attract more bites. Jigging is an effective technique that will get more bites from walleye when done right.

Shiner lures are another popular choice. These baits mimic the food that walleye eat. They are easy to set up on a jig head, sink fast, and can be hooked so that the hook point is only exposed when a bite is detected. Shiner lures are also good choices for ‘bumping’ the bottom.

Finding walleyes in mud flats

Finding walleyes in mud flats can be tricky, but if you know what to look for, you can increase your chances of catching one. Generally, walleye will hang out in shallow waters, but they can be found in deeper basins as well. When the water temperature drops, walleye will move in deeper waters to find food. You can also target walleye near spawning grounds in late winter.

A good way to find walleyes in mud flats is to find them early in the day. You can take advantage of the early walleye feeding period, when they are actively searching for prey fish such as yellow perch. You should also search for weed-covered flats with shallow bays.

When searching for walleye, it’s important to know what type of lure is most effective. Jigs with a large rattle attract walleyes, but smaller rattles call out to less aggressive walleyes. Minnows fished on a jig are also effective, such as the Lindy Fat Boy or the Genz Worm XL. Another great option is a Glo-Ball Jig.

Choosing the right depth

Choosing the right depth to ice fish is a critical element of successful walleye fishing. While walleye often inhabit depths of 15 to 25 feet, early ice anglers should look for concentration points along the edge of the ice. Using a depth chart, anglers can select three to four locations that feature a transition between different depths. This will help anglers identify the optimal spots for sending a transducer through the ice. During the early part of the ice fishing season, anglers can start establishing contours using their transducer. Once these contours have been established, anglers can begin drilling holes.

After determining the location and depth at which walleye are active, anglers can then work their lures to that depth. Walleye often mark their lures without biting. This technique can be helpful during night time because walleye often feed in the dark. Using a flasher is another helpful technique. This helps identify a fish that has passed by and may be feeding nearby. Choosing the right depth to ice fish for walleye can make the difference between a successful day and a disappointing one.

Targeting walleyes with large spoons

Targeting walleyes with large spoons can be a fun and effective way to catch more fish. These lures have several advantages, but one of the most effective is their ability to cover more water. They also tend to attract more aggressive fish. Some people like to use a minnow head on the spoon to induce more bites, and others like to rub scent on the spoon before fishing. Whichever you choose, be sure to use the appropriate color for the water and the forage.

While there are countless ways to catch walleye with a spoon, long spoons tend to do best during summer months. Walleye prefer baitfish that are long and thin, so long spoons are the ideal presentation. Many anglers have also found success with a spoon with a gold or silver back. Copper spoons also seem to be a popular choice in overcast conditions.