Have you fished Rainbow's thru the ice???

[St_Croix_Banks]

I was wondering if anyone has ever fished Rainbow Trout thru the ice? I'm going to Island Park Idaho and thought we'd try fishing a resevoir known for Rainbows. I've never fished them before and wondered what kind of rod, line, lure set up would be recommended. From what I gather so far, I think a light line (something like a walleye set up) tipped with minnow and maybe a a jigging spoon might work...but I need to do more research. HELP!!!

[BobT]

Ice fishing for rainbows for me has been limited to northern MN pits that were stocked and then designated trout lakes. Live bait was not permitted. We usually set up over deep water since most of the pits were basically structureless anyway. Set our lines a few feet below the surface as it was common for the rainbows to cruise just under the ice. We used kernal corn but since then I have learned that it is not a very good bait. Not that it doesn't work but I have heard there are potential problems with the corn in their digestive system, maybe? Anyway we also just tied on small pieces of yarn or wax worms and even pieces of crawlers.

Bob

[St_Croix_Banks]

Yes BoB. The MN DNR HSOforum says that you should 1st target just below the ice as you did. Then move deeper if you're not getting strikes. They also mentioned wax worms as a good option. Thanks.

[FishOn!]

Ive caught lots of rainbows through the ice. All were 1 to 5 feet below ice, even in very deep water. It seems they cruise around the lake at random, so it hasnt even mattered for me where I set up. I use micro ice by trilene, 4 pound test, or fireline crystal for line. a plain red hook and a small shiner minnow, only because the lake I fish is not a designated trout lake.

[fishgutz77]

I'm also looking for info on this. I went to Big Watab in the summer and my daughter,son and I caught 7 nice bows with the down riggers last fathers day. they went with their dad so I could give my dad some fish for fathers day, kinda fun. If they are cruising just below the ice will electronics be of any use? or is thid a dead stick thing?

[FishOn!]

Ive never needed electronics, but i would think it cant hurt! Maybe a camera would be fun! I always fish on sunny days and velcro my portable's window closed. Then, I basically sight fish and always leave the bale open on the rod not in my hand. They sometimes come in like torpedos and it wouldnt be hard to lose a rod! Then again, the biggest ive caught was a brown that was 22 inches and he just sat in front of it then lightly inhaled it!

[DEADhead]

If you check out the trout forum, there have been numerous posts on the subject with the recent opening of the winter season. There's lot of info there for catching stream trout through the ice. Good luck!

[St_Croix_Banks]

Good info and I'll check out the trout forum.

With regard to electronics. I would think it would be useful to set the zoom on my Marcum to cover the top 10 to 15 feet. I forget what the zoom window is.

[DonBo]

I've been catching them this year in shallow water, under 10', on a small panfifh jig with eurolarva. I also have been sight fishing about 3' - 4' under the ice.

Idaho trout may be different. I would look up a local baitshop for info on what works in that area.

[Quickstrike]

Check out the Duluth BWCA area forum as well. A lot of info on Trout through the ice in there as well.