What time of day is best for ice fishing?

Asked by: Bob Smith

The best time of day to ice fish is during the first couple of hours after sunrise, and for about 2 hours both before and after sunset. These are the times when most fish are heading to their feeding grounds, and when most species are active.

What is the best temperature for ice-fishing?

If the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it is almost impossible to keep the hole open, so be sure to choose a day when the temperature is at or below freezing, but above zero.

What is the best bait for ice-fishing?

For ice fishing live bait, try wax worms (bee moth larva), maggots, spikes (fly larvae), wigglers (mayfly larvae) or minnows. You can drop your bait and leave it alone, or you can slowly jig to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigging also works with artificial ice fishing bait.

What should I look for when ice-fishing?

Look for points, breaks, weed lines, and underwater humps. During first ice fish the points and bars that extend from shore and the weed lines. Midwinter look for fish around the deeper structure like mid-lake humps and rock piles.

What barometric pressure is best for ice-fishing?

What is the best barometric pressure for ice fishing?

How deep should you ice fish?

In my experience, I’ve found that most of the best ice-fishing action comes in water from 3-to-20 feet deep. I like to set up my traps so that they cover a variety of depths. Areas with rock piles, weed beds, or dramatic contours are all good spots.

How far apart should ice fishing holes be?

Here’s the quick answer: If you’re fishing next to someone else on the ice, your holes should be at least 5-6 feet apart to avoid fish getting tangled in each other’s lines when you pull them up. If you’re using a camera for ice fishing, the hole for the camera should be at least 2 feet away from your fishing hole.

Do fish bite when it’s cold ice fishing?

If you have had stable and cold weather for a few days and you hear that the weather is going to moderate with a low pressure system heading your way, make plans to go ice fishing on your favorite lake because most of the time the fish will be biting.

Is ice fishing good when it’s really cold?

Yes. Weather does affect ice fishing. Generally, ice fishing is best before bad weather and when barometric pressure quickly drops. On the other hand, fishing can be tough during clear, sunny skies when air pressure is high.

Is fishing better when barometer is rising or falling?

Medium Pressure (29.70 – 30.40/Fair Weather) – Normal Fishing using different gear or baits to meet the needs of the fish. Low Pressure (29.60 and under/Cloudy/Rainy Weather) – Fishing Slows. Go at them slow in deeper water or near cover. Rising Pressure/Improving Weather – The fish are slightly active.

Do fish like high pressure or low pressure?

Fish usually prefer to feed during periods of stable high pressure. When a cold front begins to arrive (often preceded by low pressure), the fish sense a drop in barometric pressure and start to feed furiously.

What does the barometric pressure have to do with fishing?

Slight changes in barometric pressure can dramatically impact the behavior of fish. The main reason for this is that everything in water sinks, floats, or suspends midway through the water column. Changes in pressure are similar to changes in gravity, upsetting the ways in which fish move.