. “There are untapped whitefish lakes with huge potential, such as Last Mountain Lake and Lake Diefenbaker in Saskatchewan and many other similar prairie-type systems,” she says. Yellow and Green colors are recommended again, being the main color that Lake Superior Whitefish have eyes for. Bio Baits patented formula breaks down 99% quicker than the industry standard. The Williams Ice Jig is a light, flashy spoon that’s near the top of my list. Then, rip it up 6 inches and let it hang perfectly still. That wasn’t the case when there were smelt in the lake, but it’s the case today.”. You also agree to receive email updates on new posts and offers. Powered by WordPress. Mimicking a Round Goby or … If the spoon is tipped … The fish haven’t seen a lure in months, they’re hungry, aggressive and bunched up big time. Many whitefish specialists use this dropper rig with a #6 treble hook and yarn fly. The Sabiki Rig would actually work well ice fishing for other species like perch or crappies. Tackle/Bait: You'll need basic tackle such as hooks, sinkers and bobbers. “Find the gobies and you find the whitefish. Read Article. Try lures in the basic colors of black, silver, gold, pink and orange. “So, as an angler, do you use a subtle lure that blends in with the available choices? Ice Fishing Whitefish - Best Fishing Tackle And Fishing Tips Each lure … See https://fishncanada.com/live/ for details. Popular bait choices include salmon eggs, worms, corn and even marshmallows, depending on where you're fishing. fishing hot spots, 3 of Canada’s wildest winter fishing and hunting destinations, What long-range shooters need to know about parallax error, 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? Perch crave thumbnail-sized crawdads as crazily as kids in a candy store. Whitefish season runs from First ice (mid Dec) until ice out (end of March). Whitefish Ice Fishing Rigs. Here’s a couple rigs you can try next time you visit Green Bay to fish for Whitefish. I use a 32- to 34-inch medium-heavy ice rod spooled with 10-pound braid and a 6- or 8-pound-test fluorocarbon leader. Any small jigging spoon will be effective. This in return has ignited the ice fishing craze for Whitefish! Even in lakes that once hosted a thriving ice fishery, like Shoal Lake at the western end of Lake of the Woods, as soon as the smelt population collapsed, the whitefish immediately changed their behavioral patterns and seemed to disappear. Want to learn whitefish on Lake Simcoe? Whatever you choose, the lure or bait has to be convincing,” she says. When you combine the dynamic nature of whitefish feeding behavior, movement, and the lake environments where they make a living—you realize you truly have a complex fish on your hands.”. Get Licensed. Simply remove the treblehook from the split ring and slide the eye through the centre of the meaty part of the shiner head so it exits the mouth. Find the Food, Find the Whitefish Eberts and Whyte agree that knowing what the fish are eating helps solve the winter whitefish conundrum. Small bait like eggs or small lures will only need 1 puncture, while longer, thin worms may need 2 punctures. In fishing for whitefish, set the hook firmly, but without a jerk. Lure and bait selection is also easy. Use a hurry-up offence, Gary Cooper from Nice Fish TV shares his 5 favourite B.C. Lures and bait. Ice Fishing/Casting/Trolling Lures. “Whitefish are dynamic feeders,” Eberts says. Often times you never feel the bite at all, but rather just the weight of the fish holding the bait … 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. Where to Find Whities There is good fishing for whitefish throughout the West. The lake whitefish is more highly regarded as a game fish than the other whitefishes. While most bass, walleye, pike, and trout anglers can take what they’ve learned, fish new waters, and be successful, Whyte says that it’s more difficult to do with whitefish because they behave in so many different ways—even in water bodies that lie adjacent to one another, like his home waters of Lake Simcoe and Georgian Bay. And, well, how do I say this kindly? “You can carry as many tackle boxes as you like, but I think you’re much further ahead learning how to use one or two whitefish baits well. I’ve experimented with lighter leaders but found they made no difference.”. Another popular lure for targeting whitefish is the tried and true jig. Lake whitefish have small heads and mouths which indicates that they feed on small invertebrates, insects and minnows. 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. It’s time for a whitefish ice fishing road trip. Show the same rig (but with a slightly larger 21/4-inch Wabler) to a mud-sucking whitefish and it will storm up 20 feet from the bottom to devour your bait and rip the rod from your hand. Well, you could certainly do worse, but surprisingly, there are much better options. If you’re a trout angler, you probably already have what you need. Even within a group of whitefish, Eberts notes, there’s often a mix of specialists and generalists. Ice fishing again leads this sprawling raw-file Midwest Fishing Report, but there are other options, even some river fishing. “Whitefish are found in a variety of lake types, proving that they are incredibly adaptable. The Chubby Darter is an ice-fishing legend, and you won't find a more effective vertical lure. Learn amazing fishing tips about how to catch Mountain Whitefish, different fishing methods, what tackle and bait to use to catch Mountain Whitefish and more! I like to fish tight to bottom for these bottom-feeding fish, stirring up mud as I jig. By signing up for our newsletter, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. And yet, in other than a few locales where they’re pursued with passion, like lakes Simcoe, Nipissing, Temagami, Lake of the Woods in Ontario, and Green Bay in Wisconsin, they’re phantom fish for most anglers. Tipped with a small 1.5 to 2" tube jig, the Badd Boyz is one of the deadliest lures for Whitefish on Lake Simcoe (And also catches its fair share of Lake Trout too!). John Whyte, one of Ontario’s savviest whitefish anglers, agrees. Consider: Would you prefer thin, processed hamburgers that taste like cardboard or thick, juicy, barbecued steaks? SUBSCRIBE NOW $1 for 3 months. Ice fishing for whitefish is one of the most enjoyable and fastest growing segments of the fishing industry…and for good reason. Ice fishing can be one of the most productive times of the year. Over the years, I have put countless hours into fishing Lake Simcoe. One of the long-standing winter traditions I look forward to each year is getting out on the ice as soon as it’s safe, usually the week before Christmas, and catching a mess of fat, pot-bellied yellow perch. Daily bag limit is 10 per person with limits very common. Yellow and Green colors are recommended again, being the main color that Lake Superior Whitefish have eyes for. Ice Fishing Giant Whitefish The In-Fisherman formula—Fish + Location + Presentation=Success—is the most fish-savvy concept ever developed, because the … “These prairie lakes also have higher productivity than deep, oligotrophic whitefish lakes so the whitefish grow much faster. Get the Drop To capitalize on their eclectic taste in foods, Whyte typically offers the fish the choice between a full-fledged fish dinner and a bug lunch, employing a dropper-line system developed on Lake Simcoe more than a century ago. It’s a modified drop-shot rig with a 1/4-ounce firetiger Badd Boyz jig, a legendary Lake Simcoe whitefish lure that is a nose-heavy specialty jig that looks like a small minnow and features a center line tie. If you don't have a tent… Fry, 15 inches above a Badd Boyz jig on the bottom. We have 12 ice … Steve likes to combine bait and fly fishing techniques to stack up the whitefish. I like to fish tight to bottom for these bottom-feeding fish, stirring up mud as I jig. Ice drill/auger: A good hand auger should be enough to handle most ice fishing … 5 Prime Ice Fishing Destinations in the U.S. Ice anglers intent on catching them need to follow suit. Its slow sink rate and unique shape imparts a tantalizing swimming action that … ... Live Bait for Lake Erie Ice Fishing… And I interviewed Lake Simcoe whitefish guru, Justin Girard, for his take on the best tactics to catch the amazingly sporty and tasty species. The flavor is considered supreme. Lindy’s Slick Jig is another option of similar style. Known in fishing circles as Doctor Pyzer, he worked for 30 years as a senior manager with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources before devoting all his energies to fishing. Join one of our Sport Fish Michigan's ice fishing Guides to take advantage of their knowledge of local fishing for a variety of species like yellow perch, bluegill, walleye, pike, crappie, whitefish, lake trout, smelt, burbot, and even steelhead, while you beat the winter blahs. If you’re keeping fish to eat, have a look in their stomach and see what they’re eating. Follow us on social media and keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority. Bio Bait is a revolutionary, patented, water soluble, safer alternative, fishing lure and apparel company. But they’re also quick to alter their feeding choices when new opportunities arise. When winter drops its icy fingers across the fisheries of the northern United States, ice anglers grab their augers and tip-ups and head for the hard… Read More >>> Anglers don't need special tackle to target whitefish. If this is your fir st time ice fishing for whitefish or could use help with the technique this may not be the option for you. Spanish. When the panfish ice-bite slows, it’s time for a change of venue to break free of the mid-winter doldrums. Start typing to see results or hit ESC to close, Want to score more ice-fishing wins? And keep up-to-date with Canada's fishing and hunting authority! “Whitefish are camera shy,” Whyte says, who is the publisher of the Time on the Water (-timeonthewater.ca) website, which provides up-to-date information on a number of popular ice fisheries. Girard filled us in on the best structures in a lake to focus your ice fishing efforts, and he started to tell us about his rods, reels, and lure presentations. The clean, blue aquarium-type tops look nice but they don’t have whitefish on them. Its slow sink rate and unique shape imparts a tantalizing … When you hang it perfectly still, they either hit the egg dangling above the cloud or the lure itself. That generally means December-through-March action. His “Dirty Pool” method involves tipping a fly with a small waxworm which really ups your catch rate. Anything goes when the goal is a heavy stringer. Daily bag limit is 10 per person with limits very common. They also have a realistic minnow profile and action. Because it’s nose-heavy, just tap the bottom with it ever so gently, to imitate a feeding minnow, then slowly lift it up a couple of inches and let it hang. The top of the structure has to be rich and dirty with food.”. For that, he suspends a soft-plastic bait, such as a Berkley Gulp! They’re the only fish that won’t stop biting, given the right presentation, even after watching their entire clan get hauled to the surface. This bait is a jig spoon lure. When fishing this rig or any other vertical method, the rod must be held in your hand at all times, with a "Jig, Pause and Lift" technique, in order to detect light biting fish. https://www.outdoorcanada.ca/best-lures-for-perch-and-whitefish In other words, using lures like spoons in the middle and upper water column to imitate pelagic forage fish like smelt and shiners, and softbaits on the bottom to mimic nymphs, worms, and gobies. What are you waiting for? And make no mistake, whitefish are a worthy winter competitor. Tipped with a small 1.5 to 2" tube jig, the Badd Boyz is one of the deadliest lures for Whitefish on Lake Simcoe (And also catches its fair share of Lake Trout too!). Small bait like eggs or small lures will only need 1 puncture, while … The more I think about this ice fishing … A member of the Canadian Angler Hall of Fame and the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame, the 62 time award-winning writer is also an internationally sought out speaker, tournament angler and field editor with In-Fisherman Magazine and Television. They also often add a treble hook to the top split ring, small flippers and beads on each barb to take their limit daily. The Williams Ice Jig is a light, flashy spoon that’s near the top of my list. Whitefish are one of the biggest, hardest-fighting, most plentiful, nutritious, delicious, and ubiquitous species that ice anglers have to chase. 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