Does North/South Make a Difference?

[Getanet]

I've read a few posts recently where guys recommend trying the north side of lakes this time of year when ice fishing.

Perhaps I'm showing my ignorance here, but is North/South one of most people's indicators? When I'm trying a new lake I typically study a map for depths and such, but I've never given much weight to to what side of a lake to be on.

Is there a general rule of thumb that the South end is better for early ice and North end for late ice (or visa versa)?

[AndersonOutdoors]

Well, the water is usually warmer on north end of the lake because of the sun, and you will find fish most of the time in the warmer water,better chance of where the weeds are growing but you will also find this on the south end as well,but doing the best research you can before you go and fish a lake will improve your odds of finding them.

[OnAFly]

It's simply because the north end get more sun exposure due to the sun riding the southern edge of the sky. These are the parts of the lakes that have the potential to warm the fastest, therefore the fish will congregate there first for spawning in the spring.

[BobT]

Right now north/south is of no consequence until the snow melts off to let the sun penetrate. After the snow is gone and the sun starts to penetrate, the water warms and the extra light wakes up phytoplankton, algae, and such and this draws other creatures, which eventually attract fish.

[scott b]

South east side early is because right before freeze up the wind blows from the NW. I don't follow this but makes sense. Always watch wind direction right before ice up. This I do follow.