| One of the first steps to successful | | | | and no visible appearance from the walleye, |
| wintertime walleye fishing relies on | | | | pick up and move to the next hole. However, |
| understanding weather figures into the | | | | if you see walleye hanging around your hole |
| equation just as it does in the summer. | | | | but not biting, then takes things one-step |
| Another essential tool is lighting | | | | further. Use more vibrantly colored lures |
| conditions. Walleye go into frenzy over low | | | | with more action. Keep in mind that walleye |
| light settings. This is similar to what | | | | move slower in the winter. So does their |
| occurs during an overcast day in the summer. | | | | attention span. You might have to keep at one |
| Walleye have a keener sense of lighting than | | | | lure a little bit longer than normal in order |
| their favorite baitfish snack. So times of | | | | to attract the walleye's attention. |
| lower light levels are prime feeding | | | | |
| opportunities for them. | | | | Tips |
| | | | |
| Start winter ice fishing season off on | | | | When fishing for walleye, it is always a good |
| smaller lakes and slowly work your way inward | | | | idea to vary the size, shape and color of |
| as the season progresses. This method follows | | | | bait you are using. This holds true for ice |
| the principle that a small lake is going to | | | | fishing as well. Any lure in chartreuse, |
| freeze over much sooner than a big lake. | | | | silver or black is effective for ice fishing. |
| Therefore, your ice-fishing season naturally | | | | Another popular lure color selection is |
| extends. Steps At the start, ice levels are | | | | rainbow trout. Go an extra step in hooking |
| thinner and mostly snow covered. For that | | | | bait by using a bigger treble hook. This will |
| time, it is best to work one ice hole spot so | | | | let you place a minnow on the hook and still |
| as not to spook walleye that might be | | | | have that all-important wiggle room left |
| lounging just below the surface. As your | | | | over. Creating natural minnow replication |
| ice-fishing season moves into full swing, | | | | using this method will go a long way in |
| cover as much ice ground as possible in those | | | | attracting walleye attention in the |
| first trips out. January and February are | | | | wintertime. |
| the ideal months to begin moving around. By | | | | |
| now, the ice levels on the lakes are thick | | | | Another ice-fishing tip is to minimize the |
| enough that walleye will not hear you coming. | | | | amount of jigging action you actually do. |
| | | | Keep action in tune with the reaction of the |
| Use a depth finder to help determine where | | | | walleye. The slower movement of walleye in |
| the fish are hanging out under the ice. Once | | | | the winter will make slower jig movements on |
| you feel that a good area is located, begin | | | | your part more successful. Do not expect the |
| making hole openings. With the hole now open, | | | | walleye to give a big chase for bait. Keep it |
| check water depth levels. Move approximately | | | | slow and simple. This is how walleye conduct |
| fifty feet in either direction and make a new | | | | life during the cold winter months. When you |
| hole. Check the water levels in the new hole. | | | | must have a slight jigging motion to your |
| Make a note if the levels are getting shorter | | | | bait, try to pair it with the sound of |
| or longer. This will let you know whether you | | | | rattles. |
| are moving towards shallow or deeper waters. | | | | |
| An ideal ice fishing setup will have several | | | | To do this, you can use a rattling hook to |
| holes spanning various water depth levels. | | | | send sound waves resonating through the icy |
| Now it is time to start ice fishing. | | | | waters. This new sound will spark the |
| | | | interest of walleye and bring them in your |
| Notice the action going on around the hole | | | | direction. Sometimes the easy meal trap is |
| you have created. After about five minutes | | | | the most successful one. |