First Ice Eyes

[pushbutton]

Ok....well....not really....but they will be Often where you find fish later in the fall is close to where you will find them come first ice. These fish, in particular, came from a classic point location. Right now on many lakes the walleyes will start to stack up in the crux of the inside turn on the steeper side of the point where deeper water meets the shallower water. It is a natural collection point, very similar to a game trail. Other similar areas are transition lines and any remaining green weeds. If you have not yet put the boat away, and similar to Jason's GPS thread, now is the time to get out and find your first ice locations.

These literally came within less than 10 casts, at about 10 at night, in less than 5 ft of water. The fish are actively feeding and choice of bait is not as important as finding the right spot. Come ice however, these same fish will slide out into the low to mid teens and slide up and hold more out on the point of the point.

This little guy was in the halloween spirit masquerading as a bass.

My treat to him, and all the fish I caught, was to let them go....we'll see if I am still as giving when I catch some of them again come first ice

[Lunker Luke]

Nice fishing. How many inch?

[Rick G]

Nice use of your Lucky HSO sweatshirt

[pushbutton]

Rick, am sure you will be smelling that hoodie sometime this winter

Lrod, these fish were pretty small but well fed....mostly 16 -17. Welcome to the site! Hope to hear about some of your outings this winter...sounds like you might already know a few people back here

Anyway, my apple started taking a crapple in the middle of the post, and just got it back from being fixed. Was also going to add a few maps to a little better illustrate how a particular pattern on one lake is currently setting up as described. This is just a lakefinder map, but closer view on a chip will show the u shaped lines funneling where the deeper steeper water is meeting the shallow water on the point, and where the fish are currently holding and actively feeding during low light periods.

This second map shows where the fish will start to slide out to come first Ice and for the most part hold in close proximity for a most of the winter. Will essentially just keep following the "tip" of the point outward and deeper as the season progresses. Some days they will be on top and others holding on the lessing break, but regardless, will not be far away.

[Matt Breuer]

Good stuff, pb. Lots of good info there!

I am the opposite from most anglers, as I learned/learn how to fall fish from my early ice experiences. I don't get out a ton in the fall, thanks to a heavy dose of hunting, but I hust think of typical early ice spots and it usually works out in the fall...

[Lawrence Luoma]

Hey that's my favorite lake, just wish I could get out there nowdays to fish it more!!! Good thing there is a tournament on that lake this year!!

[Eric_Kruger]

Hey that's my favorite lake, just wish I could get out there nowdays to fish it more!!! Good thing there is a tournament on that lake this year!!

Mine Too! I wanna spend more ice time up there this year as well...

[pushbutton]

You will have fun there next week Eric, been a great bite all year. As far as the ice goes, always can find nice slabs and eyeballs, but if either of you two figure out how to dial in on the big gills let me know. Can find plenty of medium sized with a few bigger ones mixed in, but those lbers are elusive. Suppose they are just out roaming most of the winter......suppose its what also helps keep a nice population in the lake.

[Eric_Kruger]

I wish I was going up next week, were short handed at work so I signed up for Saturday. Im still thinking of trying to sneak north on sunday and maybe monday.....who knows.

[amateurfishing]

thx for the great info. does anyone know why they school up or congregate on those inside point/turn areas? just trying to learn a little more

[pushbutton]

For sure in the fall they are crashing the area to feed on the minnows which are schooling up at night. If you look hard enough with a light you can actually see the zooplankton swarms that the minnows are after. What makes them stay near the point during the winter really can't say for sure, would suspect the same thing, although do not see the baitfish like you do now. Not really a fish behavioralist .......hopefully someone more in the know will chime in.