How do you start your season?

[popriveter]

I know a small, shallow lake that produces nice panfish and has no boat launch and requires a long enough walk to access that it gets very little pressure. Because it is so shallow (10-12'), it freezes over early.

This was where I made my first ice outing last year. I cut a lot of holes on my way from shore to the basin. I found 5", 5", 5", 5", 5", 2"-panic! I followed my footsteps back to the 5" mark and fished shallow. I fished about 6 FOW and caught some crappies in the weeds.

I plan to go to the same lake this year, but I think I'll just stick shallow to begin with and not risk finding thinner ice in the basin area.

I fished relatively big baits-using the smallest swedish pimple and the smallest chubby darter. I am going to try and get confident with plastics this year, so I'll downsize a bit and give them the first shot. I bought some little atom micro nuggies and some horizontal jig heads. Can't wait to try 'em. I am considering launching a canoe and trying some pre-ice fishing in the area to locate fish before freeze-up, but we'll see if I can make the time.

How do you start your season? What strategies will you use before houses and trucks and power augers enter the picture?

[reinhard1]

we will see what the cold weather brings. i normaly go just a little north of Duluth to a small lake after Thanksgiving, a week or two after. usualy i have found 5 to 6 inches of ice at that time and fish shallow in 8 feet of water. although there are plenty of walleys in this lake we seem to get more crappies though, along with small pike for pickling or fish patties. the crappies are nice and the long drive is always worth it for us. it is a dark stained lake so the best bite i have found is mid day and the bite trails of after 4 to 5 PM.

we have found the best baits are medium fatheads with a red hook under the bobber and dead sticking with light line with a red/white tear drop jig with euro larva. we do put out a couple of tip ups also with fatheads. never cought any big pike in there so i dont use dead bait there. but the walleys are quality and so are the crappies. all i take is my flip up portable and hand auger.good luck.

[pushbutton]

I start out waiting. Waiting for the wheelers before i walk, and then wait to drive my car until i see trucks, then wait to drive my truck until after the superduties pulling the mansions appear.

[RiverFish]

First time out I always go with some one who is bigger than me with full sled. I then follow 20 feet back

Honestly, I let others get out first to test the ice.

Plastics work well, especially for crappies. Fish them with confidence, change your movements with plastics from erratic to pulsing, to being still, you will find out what they want.

[toughguy]

The older and fatter I get the longer I wait. Although there is nothing better than first ice. I try and hit a good small pan fish lake early in the year.

[LMITOUT]

I start out waiting. Waiting for the wheelers before i walk, and then wait to drive my car until i see trucks, then wait to drive my truck until after the superduties pulling the mansions appear.

Pretty much the way it works for me too.

[LeeMB]

I will start my season like I ended last year, fishing walleyes on Lake Winnipeg

[wayne123]

Well said - I do the same except I do not have a truck yet.

I am starting today trying to figure out a better way to fit 3 cars and a fish house into a garage not big enough for 3 cars. It works every year but I always want to figure out a better way. If this is my biggest problem this year it will be a good year.

[pushbutton]

I do the same except I do not have a truck yet.

I am starting today trying to figure out a better way to fit 3 cars and a fish house into a garage not big enough for 3 cars. It works every year but I always want to figure out a better way. If this is my biggest problem this year it will be a good year.

Kill two birds with one stone........sell two of the cars and buy a truck

[Rippinlip]

As I get older I am not sure the wiser part came along with it.

I still am usually one of the first to hit the local lakes, venturing out with 2-3" of ice to get some early biters.

Not sure its really worth it, my best bites have came when I could be really mobile with the wheeler.

See you on thin ice...

[popriveter]

I was very good at waiting until last year. I went out that one time and then gave it about a week. We had a big snow in between and the whole lake was slush the next time out. I'm just hoping a strong cold snap hits this year before the first big snow. I haven't seen sheet-of-glass ice for several years now. Maybe I'll chase the smarter guys north this year.

[Glockwinger]

I start the year camping in my wheelhouse in the driveway with the 10 year old dreaming of thicker ice!

Actually I look for a smaller lake and walk out just looking to wet a line and get some pannies.

[tjbassmaster]

I am young and stupid so I go out as soon as there is 2 inches of ice. But I do take a lot of safety precautions like bring life jacket,ice pick and etc. I only fish the shallow lakes like around 3-4 feet deep when the ice is thinner like that. I also never drive on the lake until after i see several big trucks out there and a good amount a permanent houses.

[tsande00]

I usually wait until I see a half dozen portables out and then I walk out with a chisel. I don't like to venture out on first ice alone.

[toughguy]

When I was young and dumb I would never go out my first time each year alone and would always head out in daylight. Bringing rope, a life vest and hand picks are a must too.

[silverbulletguy]

I follow the crowd making sure to stay behind someone bigger than me. And bring chisel and picks etc....

[20lbSloughShark]

6" of ice and game on.