Catfish Through the Ice...

[Matt Johnson]

Here's a short video that I put together from a day on the ice last week chasing cats with Corey Bechtold...

www.mattjohnsonoutdoors.com

Always a fun time chasing cats through the ice. They put up an excellent fight!

[Guest]

Is this on the Horse Shoe chain, or south-eastern Minnesota.

Nice fish and it looks like a blast. It would be nice to know where a person could fill their tank and head to enjoy some of the action for themselves. No secret spots, but a body of water would be nice.

[hanson]

Dave- I think I know that spot.

Nice fish there Matt! I've still got a few weeks before I can make it up there. I decided to waste my next few weekends away on Upper Red & Lake of the Woods instead.

[IceHawk]

I definately know that spot. Nice fish Matt!!! What was the ice thickness in that area?

[so haaad]

I know that spot, too!

I was out on the chain on Friday and got my first true monster through the ice. I released it, but would say it was 12+ lbs. On 6 lb test.

[Matt Johnson]

I don't know what you guys are talking about

The ice was about 2-3 inches on average when we were out there on that spot. Some spots couldn't have had more than about 1 inch (river channel... and we stayed clear of those spots) and then there were a couple places that had about 5-6 inches. Once you head back out onto the main lake you could find 6-8 inches.

However, some of the spots are open now, so I wouldn't advise heading up there to those holes until the weather turns around again...

[Guest]

I'm not the thin ice guy.. weighing in a little over #200 leaves me comfortable at a consistent 5", and real nervous standing on 3 1/2". I will be up there before too long(if the weather ever cools off?). Until then, I know better than to be playing around in any area with current with warm fronts... good way to get wet!

I know a few places close to home to pull cats from the open water if I get that desperate.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Quote:

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I know a few places close to home to pull cats from the open water if I get that desperate.

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I'm guessing that you know more than a few

[Guest]

RW .. I was referring to the open water now. There isnt much left thaks to old man winter... But I know where a few are always hiding.

If this weather ever cools off, I am positive I have a good hard water cat spot(crappies and walleyes too) near home. The ice was 6"-8" before the water levels dropped 2 weeks ago, then the warm front came and I have no idea what it did to the ice.. Considering its a area with minimal current, I will not step foot on the ice until it cools off.

However, it was nice to look down below the light*(that was a hint) in the daylight hours and see a ton of healthy shiners in the 1' area of open water.

[hanson]

Matt walks on water.

Nice little kitty BTW!