Tip Up Locations

[Lunker]

I have ice fished for years, but am just now getting into the northerns. I really enjoy catching them on the tip up while I fish for other species. What is the best area, depth, structure to put out the tip ups? I have just been putting them in about 10ft out from the weedlines and doing very well, but there isn't much method to my madness. Any ideas?

[Fisher Dave]

The proper location greatly varies on the body of water your fishing. For the most part, you have a good system that should always be somewhat effective. Weed lines and drop offs are a good place to start, or any hole in the weed bed(on a flat for example) at a productive depth at that particular lake. I usually set my tip up about 1/2 way down(or 1/2 way to the weed tops) as a rule, or at least a couple feet off the top of the weeds, and vary my presentation from there if need be. Often large pike will suspend around deep water structure. I have caught many northerns in less than 2' of water(under ice), and the deepest northern to date was suspended 20' off the bottom in 80 feet of water(fishing for trout).

An easy way to keep track of how deep your tip ups are set is to attatch a tiny clip on bobber at the depth your fishing... this way you will always know exactly where your line was previously set, and makes it easier to make accurate adjustments.

[Chad Anderson]

If I do not really know much about the lake I usually find an area of cabbage weeds and i set my bait right above the weeds or just into the weeds. I have had a lot of luck this way.

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