Hard Water Fishing

[nyantler]

How about this? I am an avid trout fisherman and also enjoy lake fishing... But, I have never ice fished or even been on a frozen lake. I have a lot of friends that ice fish, but have never had an invite to go. Probably the only outdoor related thing that I have never tried.

[The_Real_TCIII]

I used to fish Silver Lake just about every weekend and we caught some big pike. The last few times I went we didn't get a flag or see anyone else get one. Not sure what happened to that lake. Since I took up 3d archery I pretty much gave up ice fishing. I go to Chautauqua once or twice a season to get a few dozen perch though

[Pygmy]

I fished Keuka yesterday out of the state park at Branchport.

It was my first time fishing for lakers through the ice. There were at least 100 fishermen on the ice.

Fishing was slow, but I managed to land two lakers and my partner got one. I also hooked thre others that I did not land.

We were fishing in about 150 feet of water. I was jigging a one oz. silver diamond jig.

[Lawdwaz]

How about this? I am an avid trout fisherman and also enjoy lake fishing... But, I have never ice fished or even been on a frozen lake. I have a lot of friends that ice fish, but have never had an invite to go. Probably the only outdoor related thing that I have never tried.

 

There isn't much I haven't done either but like you, I've never ice fished in my life.  I'm going to do it......NEXT year.

 

One other thing that I have never done (and it is no biggie) is ride/drive a jet ski...............................

[The_Real_TCIII]

I fished Keuka yesterday out of the state park at Branchport.

It was my first time fishing for lakers through the ice. There were at least 100 fishermen on the ice.

Fishing was slow, but I managed to land two lakers and my partner got one. I also hooked thre others that I did not land.

We were fishing in about 150 feet of water. I was jigging a one oz. silver diamond jig.

do you fish the bottom?

[Pygmy]

Yeah... All but one of the 8-9 strikes Had had yesterday were within a few feet of the bottom. The bait ( smelt,sawbellies) tends to stick close to the bottom this time of the year, so that's where the trout are.

I don't have a depthfinder for icefishing, but I am pretty familiar with depths all over Keuka due to fishing open water with my boat and depthfinder.

My method is to drop the jig to the bottom, reel up a couple of cranks, and then snap jig for a few minutes. Many of the hits come after you snap the rod while the lure is fluttering back down, so you have to be alert for ANYTHING that feels "different" because it is probably a trout. I frequently reel the lure back up to the surface, which can trigger hits from fish that happen to be suspended higher up in the water column.

Often in cold water you can catch large numbers of lakers if you find a school concentrated near bottom. Last year in early April, a friend and I landed 45 legal sized lakers in 3 hours in about 130 FOW near Hammondsport, fishing open water. That day it took longer to get the lure to the bottom than it did to get a strike after it got down there !

[BizCT]

How about this? I am an avid trout fisherman and also enjoy lake fishing... But, I have never ice fished or even been on a frozen lake. I have a lot of friends that ice fish, but have never had an invite to go. Probably the only outdoor related thing that I have never tried.

Same here.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Culvercreek hunt club]

When I was younger and healed faster My buddies and I used to participate in full contact ice fishing...lol. We all set out our tip ups and then jigged to kill time. No matter who's tip up went off, the first man to the hole got the bring in the fish. no rules...lol.

[grampy]

For next year or even now,within the next week or so,for safe ice. I have all the equipment needed and more to take anyone who wishes to try ice fishing in the capitol region. I will supply everything,including bait.

[Pygmy]

What a generous offer, Grampy...THANKS.

As por MOI, I'm heading for South Carolina for a few days..

My sister has a place on a lake down there and I may see if I can catch a few crappies or spotted bass.. In open water and 70 degree temps....<<grin>>...

[Lawdwaz]

What a generous offer, Grampy...THANKS.

As por MOI, I'm heading for South Carolina for a few days..

My sister has a place on a lake down there and I may see if I can catch a few crappies or spotted bass.. In open water and 70 degree temps....<<grin>>...

 

Tell your sister and her hubby I said hello...........

 

[The_Real_TCIII]

When I was younger and healed faster My buddies and I used to participate in full contact ice fishing...lol. We all set out our tip ups and then jigged to kill time. No matter who's tip up went off, the first man to the hole got the bring in the fish. no rules...lol.

LOL we did that too! Its a vicious hip check before yelling FLAG!! 

[hunter49]

   I ice fished yrs. ago but really wasn't into it.   Now my idea of ice fishing is in July with a Ice cold beer in hand trolling down the lake in the boat!