Ice Fishing for Smallies

[ARMAN-21]

Hey Guys,

Dumb question, but can I get some feed back on how to best fish for smalllies through the ice? I know what I'm doing in the summer, and fall, but I have never tried them durning the winter season, and would love to give it a shot. So if anyone could fill me in a little as far as depth, and what type of structure ( if its different then the summer/fall time) and bait. I don't do a ton of ice fishing, I'm a muskie guy, and when they aren't biting I chase smallies. thanks guys! I look foward to hearing what you have to say, and Happy New Year to you all!

Scott

[cjac]

Hey Scott,

I put this on ther main page too, he's a link that you'll find interesting, we talked about this a couple weeks ago...

Icing bass

Chris

[ARMAN-21]

Thanks man, Have a great New Year!!!!

[cjac]

RK has some pretty interesting info on why not to chase smallies thru the ice, I had no idea!

Look at it this way, only 5 months until 'ski season is back!

[ARMAN-21]

I hear ya, but I do thinks its funny that you see all these TV Shows, and see all these Guides that offer small mouth fishing durning the winter via ice. I've seen some Fat pigs caught as well, and that's why I was asking. The lake I fish up north has some big crappies, and I've seen some guys nail 21" smallies, but wont share how they caught them. So with that said, I'll stay clear, and hold off till spring. thanks again for the info!

[cjac]

To clarify, as the question was raised in the ice fishing forum.

Smallmouth season is Catch and Release only from 9/15/2007-2/28/2008, not closed, meaning it is legal to target smallmouth, but an angler cannot have one in possession.....

If not a lot of guys on Mille Lacs and Vermillion would be in trouble!

Chris