You also agree to receive email updates on new posts and offers. Whether using live bait, jigs or a combination of the two, it is important to … “The Sébile Vibrato has been a killer bait for me,” he says. Finding Walleyes on Hard Water Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Since joining the magazine, he has won two Outdoor Writers of Canada awards, in 2008 and 2011, and contributed to numerous National Magazine Award winning or nominated stories. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom of every email. ... hammered, williams whitefish ice jig.....get some!!! There’s a misconception that whitefish are always down deep, Whyte says, especially on his home water of Lake Simcoe. Use a hurry-up offence, Gary Cooper from Nice Fish TV shares his 5 favourite B.C. So there are a few tried and true whitefish tips that will help you catch more whites this winter. Once you get a grasp on the basic understanding on how to locate the active fish you will be in for an enjoyable day of non-stop ice fishing action! Whitefish mainly eat from the bottom of lakes or rivers, so you want to place your bait where they will feed. to increase your coverage. Like clock work, whitefish pack into the northern most point of the lake across from North Dam Park in mid-December. Drill holes over four to 10 feet of water and plan to be fishing as the light hits the horizon. Another popular lure for targeting whitefish is the tried and true jig. Once the fish move to the flats, which can be large areas, a little bit of hunting is required. Thorny has been kind enough to try to help me out with the cisco. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. % of people told us that this article helped them. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The heavier rod lets you control the Meegs properly, maintain contact with the bottom, and ensure your presentation is on point.” Ontario ice fishing specialist Justin Girard says he relies on a Meegs Jig … That way, when a school of whitefish comes in on bottom, as well as a sus­pended fish or school, you can both move to target them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Rather than seeing through the water, you have to drill a hole through the ice and fish through the hole. They certainly have for me. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Ice anglers accidently catch whitefish while chasing perch or walleyes but the ice angler who has learned to fish whitefish successfully will find it well worth the effort. Most anglers ice fishing for whitefish do so using artificial lures. The disruption signals a struggle of feeding activity in the area which calls in Perch. You can catch them with live bait or a jigging spoon, either in the early morning or at night. They will be hanging around shallow areas of the lake close to drop-off areas and flats. Whitefish are aggressive and when encountered on the submerged flats are usually in a feeding mood. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Without it, it is very difficult to locate the fish. Whitefish tend to be more active in the morning during the winter. Sexton is the past president of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Research catch and release laws based on where you are fishing. Whitefish have small mouths, so you should use small eggs or worms when selecting live bait. These fish mainly live on the floor of rivers or lakes, spanning primarily across northern United States and Southern Canada. There’s a misconception that whitefish are always down deep, Whyte says, especially on his home water of Lake Simcoe. A species best known for providing mid-summer action, cats also offer incredible mid-winter fishing. This is how I target and catch whitefish on Lake Simcoe from 20fow to 120fow once the ice build up nicely over the lady Simcoe. Get on the lake at dark. In many of the streams I fish, there are sculpins, which are a favoured meal for large rockies. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Start by fishing the bait right above the poofed bottom and slowly work it up a few feet. I’m hesitant to write about ice fishing for catfish, as I consider it to be somewhat of a hidden gem; however, the reality is that the cat is out of the bag (pardon the pun) and folks have already started to realize how fun it can be to target these whiskered beasts through the ice. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. This winter season I wish try to catch Lake Whitefish. These top-of-the-line predators are fast and powerful, a fish that can actually become more active under the ice. This late winter ice fishing mission in Central Alaska revolves around a small hole in the ice, a trusty spear and white meat perfect for a smoker. The electronics are also effective to understand if the whitefish are in an active or negative mood, as … You will meet up here with your Fishing Guide and head out on the Frozen Bay to the Heated 8 x 10 Ice … All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The same goes for moss. If the fish meets local catching protocol, you can keep it and make it for dinner. Ice fishing for Walleye has a broad range of methods and time-tested tactics. Heavier lures get down to the bottom and into the strike zone quickly. Choose between salmon eggs, wigglers, maggots, and waxworms. When ice fishing, you will cast into the hole in the ice, rather than across a lake or stream. Big whitefish will still eat nymphs, but what really gets them going is the opportunity to grab a small baitfish. fishing hot spots, What long-range shooters need to know about parallax error, 3 of Canada’s wildest winter fishing and hunting destinations, 7 pro tips for getting kids excited about hunting and shooting, 12 must-have items for your fishing and hunting first-aid kit, 3 ways to be tick safe during your outdoor adventures, How to rescue someone who’s fallen through the ice, How much is your vintage firearm worth? Rapidly pick up and drop the tip of your ice fishing rod to create a ruckus on the bottom. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Whether you are an experienced ice fisherman or just learning how to fish, whitefish are pretty easy to catch! Learn more... Whitefish are a family of fish including cod, haddock, and pollock, to name a few species. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. “When they’re not actively feeding,” he adds, “they’ll go out and suspend in 10 to 15 feet off the bottom around the structures.”, Whyte starts the day with an untipped jigging lure. Tullibee and whitefish spawn early in the ice fishing season. Fry, 15 inches above a Badd Boyz jig on the bottom. Clinch knots aren't required, though they help assure your line and lures are tied tightly and securely. When fishing for whitefish through the ice, you will need a power auger and a Portable Flasher. “They’re not an ambush fish,” he says. In many cases, the whitefish I was catching on Paxson Lake came up through the hole and swam onto the surface of the ice. You can search online to find popular fishing spots in advance. By using our site, you agree to our. Follow us on social media and keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority. Last Updated: July 31, 2020 It isn’t uncommon to catch several whitefish or herring at the same time when this happens. I am working my way through the species list and I have 4 left, the whitefish being one. Small bait like eggs or small lures will only need 1 puncture, while longer, thin worms may need 2 punctures. And since 64-year-old Whyte (below) is widely regarded as one of Canada’s best ice anglers, we asked him to share his advice on how to catch more lake whitefish throughout the hardwater season. wikiHow's. Electric Ice Augers, Cusk and Lake Whitefish through the Ice The Electric Ice Auger After suffering a back injury, battling blizzards last December, I realized that if I wished to have any hope of continuing my passion for ice fishing, I needed to find a better way of hacking a hole through the ice. If the fish are going, a limit of whites will be on the … During the winter, however, they’ll visit various structures in the shallows to feed. Whitefish fillets are a very delicate flavor that accepts a variety of seasonings extremely well. Solving the whitefish puzzle would open up loads of incredible new ice fishing opportunities. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 23,748 times. A wireworm or fly worked slowly will therefore catch more fish than one that is jigged more aggressively. The combination I use is a 30-inch, medium heavy action, Fenwick Aetos ice rod. 1. “They’re a vacuum fish.”, The best time to target whitefish is at first light, when they’re up on the structures and easier to find, Whyte says. Ice fishing for whitefish is very popular because it is the easiest time of the year to catch these delicious bottom feeders. Blue Fish Radio: Fitness secrets from an expert who trains pro anglers, The #1 tactic for putting big reservoir walleye on the ice, 12 of the year’s best Canadian outdoor adventure photos. Rather than seeing through the water, you have to drill a hole through the ice and fish through the hole. Growing up in Gander, Newfoundland, and Peterborough, Ontario, Outdoor Canada's managing editor Bob Sexton jumped at every chance to wet a line and head afield. If I’m keen on trying to catch the biggest mountain whitefish in a river, I’ll change things up. Says Whyte: “It’s surprising how little movement is required to get bit—and how more movement can be a repellent.”. After spending half of the 1990s working as a tour guide in Latin America, he completed a Bachelor of Journalism from Ryerson University in 2001 and was hired on as Outdoor Canada's assistant editor. Go long Snagging your fish is when you scrape it with the hook rather than piercing it. Choose the models over 40 inches long with some action in the tip to protect knots, but plenty of stiff backbone for setting hooks down deep. ... After looking through the Off road Mapbook, i decided to try Big Sandy Lake, only half an hour away which also held Lake trout. References. You will be sent an opt-in email to confirm that you would like to receive emails from us. If you want to get rid of any slack in your line, reel in your line a little. How to catch more fish through the ice ... in a white perch while ice fishing on Hermon Pond in 2018. We picked the brains of ice anglers who obsess over these fish to offer interesting insights. These Outdoor Canada readers find out, 4 cool new outdoor accessories for the season and beyond, Outdoor Canada’s 2020 holiday gift guide for anglers and hunters, 3 great numbers (and one that’s not so good) about fishing and hunting in Canada, Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation expands its family membership plan, Alberta to allow new coal strip mines that could kill four blue-ribbon trout rivers, Recipe & video: Roasted blueberry-pepper elk tenderloin with sweet and spicy sauce, Recipe & video: Scrumptious duck schnitzel with a hearty potato sauce. In no way are Perch trophy size fish but they do provide a lot of enjoyment to catch, especially during ice over. Whitefish can easily grow to 2 feet in length, but a typical catch is in the upper teens to low twenties of inches. A room with a view. As publisher of the popular Time on the Water group of fishing websites, Orillia, Ontario’s John Whyte is fully immersed in the angling world—especially considering he also fishes up to 300 days a year, for everything from bass and pike to walleye and trout. Here are 7 straight forward tips on finding and jigging for walleye ice fishing. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. You can park your vehicle and launch your boat, kayak, canoe, or whatever via the two spots marked on the map below. The Cat Is Out Of The Bag. Watch the video to see how the team does from this dark Alaskan ice shanty. For ice fishing, sonar is extremely helpful. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Ice-fishing Friday: How to make an ice livewell for perfect live releases, Want to score more ice-fishing wins? Once the fish move to the flats, which can be large areas, a … In May and June when the lake water is still cool, you may be able to see Whitefish within a couple hundred meters from the boat launch. So naturally, the pike will be in these shallow areas and easiest to catch, but the ice will be thin this time of year. John Whyte. All of those types of structure can hold zebra mussels, round gobies, crustaceans and aquatic insect hatches, making for a whitefish smorgasbord. Imagine being one of the first to get in on the action and catch and release 100 or more fish a day. You can lose your fish if you don't set the hook securely. Ice fishing is more difficult than regular fishing because your visibility is limited. And since 64-year-old Whyte (below) is widely regarded as one of Canada’s best ice anglers, we asked him to share his advice on how to catch more lake whitefish throughout the hardwater season. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Catch-Whitefish-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Catch-Whitefish-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7d\/Catch-Whitefish-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid9742435-v4-728px-Catch-Whitefish-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"