"Reading" hardwater

[styx]

I have read about systematic ways to "read" water during the summer. I have a question for those with a lot of ice fishing experience. How do you approach a new body of water when ice fishing? Do you go through a systematic process to try to target productive areas or is it mostly dependent on previous experience. How does your process vary when targeting different species? How do you modify your approach when promising areas are heavily pressured?

[icehousebob]

For a new body of water, if possible, I get a map. Then Load my Vex and power auger and jigging rods on my Eskimo sled and just run and gun. It helps if you have a team that spreads out to cover more area. If its heavily fished, you don't want to stand and yell,"Hey Jim, I got a BIG bunch of fish under me! " You'll be hip deep in neighbors in a matter of seconds. When we fish as a group, we have a signal with our augers that lets the other guys know from a distance that we've found fish, without letting the rest of the world know. Then walk, don't run, to get to where the fish are biting.

[Matt Johnson]

Wow, this could be a lengthy response

A lake map is defintely a good idea. Having a plan of attack before you hit the ice is very important and is often over-looked by a lot of ice anglers. Your goal is to find fish and take the least amount of time doing it. You don't want to spend time over unneeded water and you cover as many "fish-holding" areas as possbile.

I always like to have five areas picked out before I hit the ice. Depending on what period we are in during the winter and what species I'm targeting will dictate where I search. ie: shallow vs. deep, structure vs. flats, etc. I try to find new areas even on lakes I've already fished in the past. Sure, you have your yearly productive spots, but often times there are still better spots to be had. When I approach a lake I've already fished, I usually pick out two or three new spots I want to hit, and then I also have a couple of my old spots to fall back on. You'll be surprised, some of those new spots my turn into your new honey holes.

The species game can get rather complicated. What species do you want to target?

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[styx]

Matt,

I have fished walleyes mostly but only on LOW. Went with the resorts so not much work there. I live in the metro so will try for panfish, northerns, and any walleyes if I get lucky.

[Matt Johnson]

Think weeds at first ice. A good majority of your fish will relate, in someway or another, to the weeds at early ice. Now, this is not always the truth, but you will find it to be true in a majority of the Metro lakes you will fish this winter. I try to key on depths between 3-12 feet at early ice. This goes for walleyes too. A lot of anglers go "deep" right away for walleyes and they miss out on some excellent opportunities. Walleyes will relate heavily to the weeds at early ice, and often times it consists of shallower flats or weedlines. A good area to look for is the weedline. This is a good multi-specie area. Some of your panfish will hold in the weeds and might not utilize the weedline as much, but you can still find slab crappies and bull bluegills venturing near the line from time to time. Large pike will cruise the weedline as well. Also, don't be afraid to fish up in the weeds either. Some of my better early ice days were when I was only in about 4-6 feet amongst some thick vegetation. Fish are attracted to the weeds both because forage is present as well as oxygen. The weeds attract forage, no doubt about it, and the predator fish will be right behind them.

Another prime area during early ice are the narrows. Narrows are over-looked, but will often times be the first spots to freeze and the first spots to hold trophy fish. Fish use the narrows as migration routes, and they will hold in them from time to time as well. Keep in mind, when those fish are in the narrows, they are hungry.

I also like to pay close attention to shallow depressions and other forms of structure. Humps and saddles will hold fish, as will deeper holes in shallower bays. Grab a lake map, look for structure that stands out, often times fish will use those areas. It sounds simple, and it can be if you prepare before you hit the ice. Some of the most obvious spots on a map are where you can have a field day out on the ice, but too many anglers fail to realize the importance a map can have.

Know what you are going to do before you hit the ice, thats first and foremost. Cut down the amount of time you spend searching useless water, and you will increase your chances for a successful day on the ice.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[augernaut]

Matt, as usual, has given you some great advice. I actually almost never fish a lake that I don't have a map for. Not sure how it is in MN, but here in WI, the DNR has mapped just about every one of our lakes. The maps usually aren't dead on, but they give you a very good idea of what is happening. Those maps, combined with the better quality lake maps you can buy (Hotspots,etc.), are invaluable tools. One thing I'm doing more of is taking my boat out with my sonar and GPS. I search for spots I've previously identified on the map,weedlines, humps, bars, etc, and enter the coordinates. This saves me a TON of time on the ice. One of my favorite things to do is to sit down at night with some maps and just look at them - think about seaonal changes, weedlines, etc, and how the fish will relate. Some maps, it seems like every time I look at them, I find a new spot.

[PikeTipper]

Matt kinda made this point already but I'm a firm believer in getting a lake map and picking your own spots before you get to the lake. A lot of people just follow the crowd and head right to the community hole that everyone has fished for years. There is no doubt that this is probably a productive spot at times but most of those people have probably been doing that same thing for years and never bothered to try and find a new spot. I think most lakes have plenty of good spots that never see pressure due to nobody ever giving it a try so just because there are no fish houses on a spot doesn't mean it is not worth fishing.