Ice Team Tip: Fishing in Your Backyard

[Matt Johnson]

Fishing in Your Backyard

By: Tod Todd, Ice Team Pro

All though you may not live on a river or lake, I would have to bet in your daily travels you past multiple bodies of water that hold fish. On your next trip to work, or to a store, take notice of how many lakes, rivers or subdivision ponds you past that may allow you to fish. Finding your new spot may be as easy as just wetting a line on the way home from work and catching a 5-pound bass or a hand-sized bluegill. Some of my biggest fish have come from county forest preserve lakes that are located in the same county I live in, and many I pass multiple times a month, if not daily.

Also having the right tackle in your vehicle at all times will help pay-off on these recon fishing missions. I prefer a medium-light spinning rod with 6# mono and a jig head dressed with a white twister tail. I have found that many fish species can be caught on a jig and twister—from gills to pike—you might not land that pike, but you can return with your favorite pike tackle to land the big one on another day. If fishing subdivision ponds, bring a bag along to pick up some trash left behind by others—this goes along ways with the residents that live on the lake.

So, just remember these hidden secrets that you found during the summer months, and that they could now be your winter-time honey holes that you will have all to yourself, when most are sitting indoors keeping warm watching football.

[muskie hunter]

I'm very lucky I live off the Wisconsin River and fish every day.