| Matt Johnson Outdoors Cats Play in the Snow Too |
| Matt Johnson Outdoors |
By: Matt Johnson
When one thinks about ice fishing they
typically picture walleyes, crappies, sunfish,
perch, pike, maybe a lake trout or eel pout,
but not many people think of catfish. Even
the mere idea of catching a catfish under the
ice results in scowls and even sometimes
laughter. But for those of you who venture
out chasing these whiskered critters you’ll
find yourselves smack dab in the middle of
not only a harsh tussle but one of the better
tasting winter fish across the ice belt!
So just where to these catfish spend their winter? Oftentimes these
fish will hold in deeper pockets, but I've found them as shallow as 5
feet. It all depends on the type of lake. Ponds with very little deep
water will find catfish holding in the deepest parts of the lake,
providing there aren't any areas where there is an influx of water. For
these situations, targeting catfish can be relatively easy. But in other
bodies of water where deep water is the norm, you're going to find
yourself seeking other forms of structure...
In lakes/reservoirs with deep water, I like to search out for the
"channel." Most of these reservoirs have main channels where rivers
(at one point) ran strong... or at least now provide minimal current.
These channel areas oftentimes create burrows along the bottom
giving away to cuts and depressions where catfish gather for comfort.
It's almost as if these cuts are "roads" for catfish to follow. Tough part
about this equation though is that it’s hard to pick up fish on the
flasher in these areas unless right on top of it.
Sometimes these cuts are only a few feet wide, while in other
situations you can find them several hundred feet in width. It all varies
on the given body of water and from spot to spot. I prefer areas where
you can find deep water leading from a shallow inlet (or at one time an
inlet). These areas seem to create the best "rut" for these fish to hold
in. And if you are fortunate enough to have some current (more than
the natural current of a lake) then you found yourself a gold mine!
Other areas of interest include spots where parts of the lake neck
down causing current. Flats just upstream from these areas will
generally hold catfish. Catfish rely heavily on their sense of smell and
will move up current to grab the bait once detected. This is why we
fish just upstream from snags during the open water months, so when
a fish smells what's cooking they come out to take a taste. The scent
travels downstream and pulls the fish out. While this doesn't give you
the end all answer for winter catfish, it does give you a few more
chances.
One of my more favorite spots to fish for winter catfish is holes along
the main river (if ice is safe). Warning!!! These spots rarely see more
than a foot of ice so proceed with the utmost caution. Even during
extreme winters we might still only see a few inches of ice because of
current conditions. But if you are fortunate enough to take advantage
of these situations then the rewards can be great. Heavy spoons
packed with pieces of minnow will do the trick and hold on!
There are spots similar to these holes along stretches of lakes where
there is less current and safer ice. Lakes that form off of rivers will
present similar spots and can be fished just the same. In all actuality, if
you can find spots off the main river that are pushed back into lake
chains and backwaters then you're going to also find consistent action
for fish of all sizes.
Techniques for these whiskered fish are simple... rely on scent as
your main weapon. What I mean is, use pieces of minnow and don't be
afraid to have entrails hanging out and multiple pieces. Walleye
anglers are supposed to be more sophisticated when attaching just a
minnow head or tail, but for catfish, you gob those babies on!
However, there are times when just a small piece is all they want, but I
oftentimes error on the side of excess :) Jigging spoons are a great
tool for these situations in my opinion. You can pack a treble hook and
present a nice ball of meat. I always replace my trebles with a size
larger and with a forged hook if possible.
Techniques for getting these fish to bite can at times depend on their
mood... much like all species. Let your Vexilar be your fish's mood
indicator and tell you what type of action they prefer. Oftentimes you
won't have kamikaze catfish, but rather light biters like we experience
with our crappies at times. Subtle shakes and quivers will more than
enough on most occasions and watch your line! These fish are
notorious for just sucking in the bait without anyone knowing. Spring
bobbers and definitely help, but by constantly moving you rod tip you
can tell when a fish has the bait but an abrupt deadening of the rod
tip. When that happens, you better set the hook into that cinderblock!
Catfish through the ice can provide a lot of action and excitement out
on the ice! And most areas across the ice belt have lakes nearby
where catfish are abundant. Like all fish, practice selective harvest, as
catfish can and will school up in the winter and over-harvesting can
still take a tool on the catfish species. But if you do decide to take
home a catfish for a meal, there is nothing better than a nice battered
catfish fillet from cold water!
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
When one thinks about ice fishing they
typically picture walleyes, crappies, sunfish,
perch, pike, maybe a lake trout or eel pout,
but not many people think of catfish. Even
the mere idea of catching a catfish under the
ice results in scowls and even sometimes
laughter. But for those of you who venture
out chasing these whiskered critters you’ll
find yourselves smack dab in the middle of
not only a harsh tussle but one of the better
tasting winter fish across the ice belt!
So just where to these catfish spend their winter? Oftentimes these
fish will hold in deeper pockets, but I've found them as shallow as 5
feet. It all depends on the type of lake. Ponds with very little deep
water will find catfish holding in the deepest parts of the lake,
providing there aren't any areas where there is an influx of water. For
these situations, targeting catfish can be relatively easy. But in other
bodies of water where deep water is the norm, you're going to find
yourself seeking other forms of structure...
In lakes/reservoirs with deep water, I like to search out for the
"channel." Most of these reservoirs have main channels where rivers
(at one point) ran strong... or at least now provide minimal current.
These channel areas oftentimes create burrows along the bottom
giving away to cuts and depressions where catfish gather for comfort.
It's almost as if these cuts are "roads" for catfish to follow. Tough part
about this equation though is that it’s hard to pick up fish on the
flasher in these areas unless right on top of it.
Sometimes these cuts are only a few feet wide, while in other
situations you can find them several hundred feet in width. It all varies
on the given body of water and from spot to spot. I prefer areas where
you can find deep water leading from a shallow inlet (or at one time an
inlet). These areas seem to create the best "rut" for these fish to hold
in. And if you are fortunate enough to have some current (more than
the natural current of a lake) then you found yourself a gold mine!
Other areas of interest include spots where parts of the lake neck
down causing current. Flats just upstream from these areas will
generally hold catfish. Catfish rely heavily on their sense of smell and
will move up current to grab the bait once detected. This is why we
fish just upstream from snags during the open water months, so when
a fish smells what's cooking they come out to take a taste. The scent
travels downstream and pulls the fish out. While this doesn't give you
the end all answer for winter catfish, it does give you a few more
chances.
One of my more favorite spots to fish for winter catfish is holes along
the main river (if ice is safe). Warning!!! These spots rarely see more
than a foot of ice so proceed with the utmost caution. Even during
extreme winters we might still only see a few inches of ice because of
current conditions. But if you are fortunate enough to take advantage
of these situations then the rewards can be great. Heavy spoons
packed with pieces of minnow will do the trick and hold on!
There are spots similar to these holes along stretches of lakes where
there is less current and safer ice. Lakes that form off of rivers will
present similar spots and can be fished just the same. In all actuality, if
you can find spots off the main river that are pushed back into lake
chains and backwaters then you're going to also find consistent action
for fish of all sizes.
Techniques for these whiskered fish are simple... rely on scent as
your main weapon. What I mean is, use pieces of minnow and don't be
afraid to have entrails hanging out and multiple pieces. Walleye
anglers are supposed to be more sophisticated when attaching just a
minnow head or tail, but for catfish, you gob those babies on!
However, there are times when just a small piece is all they want, but I
oftentimes error on the side of excess :) Jigging spoons are a great
tool for these situations in my opinion. You can pack a treble hook and
present a nice ball of meat. I always replace my trebles with a size
larger and with a forged hook if possible.
Techniques for getting these fish to bite can at times depend on their
mood... much like all species. Let your Vexilar be your fish's mood
indicator and tell you what type of action they prefer. Oftentimes you
won't have kamikaze catfish, but rather light biters like we experience
with our crappies at times. Subtle shakes and quivers will more than
enough on most occasions and watch your line! These fish are
notorious for just sucking in the bait without anyone knowing. Spring
bobbers and definitely help, but by constantly moving you rod tip you
can tell when a fish has the bait but an abrupt deadening of the rod
tip. When that happens, you better set the hook into that cinderblock!
Catfish through the ice can provide a lot of action and excitement out
on the ice! And most areas across the ice belt have lakes nearby
where catfish are abundant. Like all fish, practice selective harvest, as
catfish can and will school up in the winter and over-harvesting can
still take a tool on the catfish species. But if you do decide to take
home a catfish for a meal, there is nothing better than a nice battered
catfish fillet from cold water!
Good Fishin,
Matt Johnson
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