Targeting panfish through the ice - locations?

[mainbutter]

I'm going to hopefully put in some actual hours ice fishing this winter (assuming the lakes decide to put some ice on sooner or later!).

This past May and June, I went out and learned 5 different lakes well enough to figure out where panfish were holding in those months. I didn't get out as much as I would have liked the rest of the year due to general busy-ness.

I'd like to finally get around to learning to ice fish (beyond renting an ice house and relaxing and catching a fish every now and then), and I've got a feeling that learning to catch panfish would be a good way to start.

So I guess my question is, when there is finally plenty of ice on those lakes to do some fishing, where should I go on those lakes? Should I go to where the fish were in May/June? Should I AVOID those areas because they may likely be too shallow? Are early summer spots sometimes winter spots?

Should I just head towards the nearest community area and drill a few holes?

How do I dissect the underwater topography to make educated guesses of where to try in winter?

P.S. these are smaller lakes, if it makes a difference.

[mainbutter]

Still waiting for some choice pieces of advice if anyone wants to send it my way

[Chad Peterson]

Mainbutter, if your fishing smaller lakes the fish should be easy to find. You will have to put some work in by punching holes in shallow and next to the deeper basin. Normally during the day the fish will over the deeper water and will be shallow in the morning to later afternoon. I always look for weedlines in the 8-15FOW to help find those panfish. Once you find them, start a log and develop the pattern. Jig size and color will be another key part to getting them to go to. My advice is to work the lake your on until you have mastered the patern and then move to the next lake to work.

Keep in mind that every lake is different and the summer time patterns may not be winter spots. For example, I have a lake that the fish will be in 12-16FOW during the summer and the winter spots are shallow.

I hope this helps.

Sniffer

[th64]

Just read an article from a pro-he has a lake that he fishes in the spring, he and his friends do extremely well-he has had 3 trips in the ice season and has yet to get more than a couple-can be tricky

Good Luck

[simple1]

I fish smaller lakes and have a navionics map on my iPhone that helps me locate good starting spots. As mentioned, if you can find weed lines that have a drop off next to them, that is where I will start every time. I have weedlines marked on gps I found during summer so I can relocate when the ice is here. I have also found these spots to be good for walleye as they will be feeding on bait fish throughout the weed line. If you can find one of these locations, just try different presentations. I think too many people just set up over the deepest hole and bang their head on the ice until they catch a fish.

Another advantage with weedlines iis relocating fish. When they stop biting i Start drilling in a half circle about 30 yards from the weed line hitting different depths, as sometimes the fish will move out. It's fun to find your own spots away from crowds. Good luck.

[Bass Whacker]

I'm with everyone else on finding the weedlines. I also study maps alot and I look for tiny little irregularities in the bottom that I hope the average person misses. I also like to stay away from the crowds I seem to have better success, and then people dont have to listen to my auger because I've been known to drill a few holes during the day.