Quetions about winter cats

[Quetico]

Ok I've been fishing a small relatively shallow metro lake for cats the last few days. We've iced only 2 cats on a lake that the DNR stocks massive quantities. Both have been taken on tip-ups with live fatheads on a hook.

We can't seem to find them schooled up. Are they always tightly schooled? We catch one and drop a fresh minnow down the same hole to the same depth and nothing. The first time we moved all other lines to relatively the same area, within 10-15'. It resulted in nothing.

The lake appears to be just a shallow weedy basin with no distinct deep holes. Are they relating more to the weed lines? Both fish we have picked off have been in the more weedless waters in deepest possible spots we could find, 7-8'.

Are we just not finding the schools or are the cats just scattered in this lake cruisin and acting like pike covering a weedy flat?

Thanks

[SteveD]

Ok I've been fishing a small relatively shallow metro lake for cats the last few days.

The lake appears to be just a shallow weedy basin with no distinct deep holes.

Both fish we have picked off have been in the more weedless waters in deepest possible spots we could find, 7-8'.

Are we just not finding the schools or are the cats just scattered in this lake cruisin and acting like pike covering a weedy flat?

Thanks

Based on your description of the lake I would suspect you just have cruising fish that are hunting throughout the lake. There are no deep holes or distinct breaklines to target. Probably not a lot of bait so I would try to locate bait and that should up your odds of finding cats. A small, weedy lake probably has a lot of small sunfish and that would most likely be the primary forage base. Those sunfish or whatever else may be forage bait for the cats are probably relating to all the weed cover. I would try to target weededges if you can find them or small open pockets in the weeds.

Do you have a camera - that shallow of a lake and at this time of year you should be able to see cats on the camera. I would pop a lot of holes and hole hop with a camera and see if you can find fish.

One other thing to consider. A small, shallow lake can be hard to fish for predator type fish. When you walk around the ice, especially now with crusted snow, you make a lot of noise and it will spook fish. I see it all the time when I am fishing with my camera. I will be watching fish and if somebody comes walking by the fish will just scatter.

One of the reasons you are catching fish on tipups may be that there is no noise around your holes until your flag goes up and you run to it. Maybe you should try fishing all tip-ups and spread them out so there is little or no noise near them. Get 3 or 4 guys and you can cover a lot of territory if you spread out your tipups.

Just my thoughts on your questions, for what that is worth.

Steve

[Quetico]

Thanks Steve

The weed lines seem to taper from super thick and just fade out. I'd love to get a camera out there.

We've been trying to focus on one area once we get one thinking they are schooled up tight. Everyone has always said they school up tight. I am now thinking they are just cruising alone.

Next trip out we will scatter tip-ups and cover water.

[DTro]

Cold water cats can be a very finiky creature. In fact, I'm surprised you were able to catch them on tipups.

Are you marking them on a flasher?

If so, next time you are out there, downsize to a small jig with an icebuster bobber cut down so it is just above the water line. Put a piece of cut minnow on the hook. Then watch for ANY movement of the bobber. Sometime just a twitch is all it takes.

Watch this vid at 4:00 and then the small bite at 4:18