Fish pattern questions...

[Kylersk]

Last year, early ice (but not this early) I hit the same spots as I did tonight. But, last year I caught crappies and sunnies. Now this year, I didnt catch one pan fish, just 2 small walleyes. I didnt catch my first walley last year till the Rainy Lake trip in mid march.

This is only my second year Ice fishing, so I'm trying to learn as much as I can... What reasons would cause Walleyes to be in the spots rather than pannies?

thanks in advance.

[CrappieJohn]

Panfish can be fickle. And this is not an unusual question at all.

Way too many people miss the boat on the earliest pannies because they put the boat away too early. Late open water pannies will be found very close to where the early ice catching will take place. Since weather/water temperature are the greatest driving factors late in the year in both the water system and food that these fish feed on, being on the water real late in the season helps immensely in knowing where to begin looking when the ice is ready.

If you know of areas where the panfish/crappies were on a late season tear, I'd head right into that area and begin to pick things apart. If such an area is not an option, then I'd start with the traditional shallow spots and work my way to deeper water covering all of the water column from top to bottom.

Peoplecan be dead give-aways as to fish location. Find clusters of people and you will have also found fish. Another hint....don't always rely on permenants to give up fishing spots....someof these get plopped down and never move again until they have to come off. Those with crank up wheels and the portables will give away more fishing locations....but don't horn in. If someone packs up, move to that spot.

[oil painter]

First ice can be a challenge. today we hit craps in8-12 feet but it is intirely possible that 30feet would work to. P.S. wallies were moving through the same water as the craps! Look for green weeds and you will find fish. depends to as to what time you are out.