need trout answers

[icepike]

while not slayin the crappies durning this past ice season i mainly focused on trout on a big lake hear in Connecticut.i put alot of time on a mid lake hump that i found and came up with pretty decent numbers but i feel like i could of have done better not only with quanity but with quality of fish.i fished the top of the hump with very little numbers but as soon as i started to skirt the outer side of the hump thats when action picked up.can anyone tell me why?i was thinking maybe sun angle and a few other factors.but any opinions would be greatly appreciated.also.this is jiggnig only remind you.while using a big 4 inch trolling spoon (silver black and yellow) all sizes of trout would hit.i preffer to use the light trolling spoon for one effective reason and that would be the way it flutters on the downfall.for the guys who jig alot for trout what do you look for when looking on a lake map and how do you go about starting off when jigging?i have a lx3 so i can tell how the fish are reacting to my lure.but are there anytimes when i should with the color or size of my lure?let me also say this lake has a huge alewife population.is there any known facts on where they might be durning the winter months? appreciate input..-joe-

[Captain B.R.K]

I'm assuming you are fishing for rainbows, browns and not lakers?!?!?

[icepike]

mainly browns correct any answers????

[hanson]

icepike-

You may want to click on this link and post your question in FishingMinnesota.com's Trout Forum.

Trout Forum

While I am not a huge trout fisherman, my experiences with our other finned friends might be able to help you out. When ice fishing structure such as a hump, I generally find the fish (walleye, perch, etc.) to be off of the structure. Either way off the structure on the flat, right at the base of the hump, or suspended off to the sides of the hump. Predatory fish like to use the sides of the hump to herd & catch baitfish.

There are times you'll find the fish (walleyes) on top of structure and that is during the low light periods of the day. Early morning and late evening you'll find the walleyes up on top feeding and then they slide off the hump during the midday. They may suspend out to the sides or head down to the nearby flats.

I like to auger a series of holes in a line across the hump so I can cover the bottom, middle, and top of the hump. Fish each hole for awhile and keep an eye on your locator. You'll have them patterned after a little while.

My limited trout experience has shown me a small trout has no problem with a big bait, both open & hard water so its kind of hard to keep the little guys off.