Panfish question

[Rivernut]

Getting back into ice fishing after several years away. This may sound like a dumb ?, but is it the norm that sunnies bite better during daylight hours and crappies from dusk on. Thanks

[Matt Johnson]

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in time of day. Fish go through phases and will feed prodically throughout the day and night. We just don't become as accustomed to fishing after dark so we generally assume the fishing stops once the sundown flurry ends. However, I've experienced some of my best sunfish bites well after dark, like around 11pm-1am. While you are more likely to have better numbers during the day, I would challenge to say that you're chances of hooking big fish is just as good at sundown and after dark for sunfish. 3 of my 5 biggest gills caught ice fishing were either at sundown or when it was dark...

However, you are right to say that in a lot of cases you'll experience a better crappie bite as the sun drops or rises, those twilight periods really light a fire under the crappies butt

During the day however, don't neglect targeting crappies. Look in more unlikely spots. You'll be surprised as to what you can find. Crappies in 4-8 feet of water during the day, and big ones at that. One of my favorite ways to target crappies is during the day and over shallow flats...

[Rivernut]

Great reply Matt, thanks again for the info. I have to give the hard water a try again, used to love it. I have some good lakes for big 'gills by Little Falls, hopefully7 can find them through too. Good fishing, Mike.