spring ice technique

[srh1093]

My grandpa used to talk about going to the lake in early spring when the ice was just edging away from the shore. He would then cast a jig out onto the ice and do a low retrieve until the jig dropped into the water. His claim was that on warm, sunny days the fish would be atracted to that spot by the warmer water coming off the ice. He also claimed that it was some of the best fishing he ever did.

My question is this:

Has anyone here ever heard of this?

Is it legal nowdays even if it was done back then?

Thanks all

Shawn

[CrappieJohn]

Shawn....

Welcome to FishingMinnesota.com!

To answer your question, yes you can do this IF the fish you are fishing for has an open season. Panfish are open all years so this would be legal. Walleyes, bass, northern, muskie, no....the season has yet to open for those.

Was Grandpa right? You had better belive it!

As shorelines open up the water founs exposed will allow a much quicker warming. Fish at this time of year are very acutely aware of temperature change in their living quarters. Crappies might be drawn to this open water with as little as a single degree of temperature change.

I fish a lake where a run of open water becomes available about now. I too cast jigs/plastics into that open water and find the fishing much better and productive than people standing on the ice not far away. The water temp( I carry a thermometer with me and hang it below a float about 6-8 feet under the surface)right along the ice-line will be one temp, but by tossing the thermometer out where the fish are hitting I will usually find around 8 degrees of temp change. This is why tose fish are being found there. Grandpa was right on the money!

Again, welcome to FishingMinnesota. Enjoy your time here!

[Blake]

Brings back many fond memories of Grandparents Why didn't they write a book??? Have asked my father who is now 81 to write about his lifes lessons before he passes. He asks me why and I tell him....because I'll want to know after your gone and you won't be here to ask! The best lessons in life are not taught in school......

[icehousebob]

I've fished with South Dakota relatives where there is no closed game fish season and you're allowed two lines. One spring tactic that is used out there is to find about 20plus yards of open water and cast a bobber line with a dead bait about half way out. Then cast a flash lure like a Daredevil onto the ice. Pull it till it drops into the water and reel it past the bait. Big Northerns will lay just under the edge of the ice and will follow the flash lure. Sometimes they grab the lure, sometimes they grab the bait under the bobber.