James Lindner, Jake Wallace, and Hays Baldwin share some ice fishing catfish tactics. They cover how to find and catch catfish through the ice.
Ice Fishing Catfish Tactics
Most anglers target channel catfish throughout the summer months. Once the weather begins to change and the cold moves in a majority of anglers fish for other species. I’m here to tell you that you shouldn’t forget about channel catfish in winter.
They are a great species to target through the ice. These hard-fighting fish grow to big sizes, can be found in large schools, and are surprisingly willing biters in the winter months. In this article we are going to share some ice fishing catfish tactics that you can use to catch channel cats this winter.
Finding Catfish Lakes With OnX Fish
One invaluable tool for finding lakes with big channel catfish is the onX Fish app. Simply open up the app and select the lake you want to fish. Select all species and the scroll till you find the species you are looking for. In our case it’s going to be channel catfish. Click on it and it will show you the abundance and size structure of the catfish in that particular body of water. This information is gather by the state’s Department of Natural Resources. One thing you want to pay attention to is the year that survey was completed.
If a survey was completed in 2018 and a majority of the fish were nineteen to twenty-four inches long. Six years later a majority of those fish are going to be around twenty-six to thirty inches long. Looking at this older fish survey data is a great tool to plan your fishing trips now and in the future and it’s all right there on the onX Fish app.
Understanding Catfish Behavior Under The Ice
Before delving into the specifics of ice fishing catfish tactics, it’s important to understand how these fish behave in the winter months. The first thing you need to understand is that the colder water temperatures slow down catfish movements. Catfish don’t move as fast in the winter as they do in the summer. They tend to prefer slow or stagnate water and this directly impacts their wintering locations.
The colder water makes channel catfish more predictable allowing anglers to located them rather quickly. They often school together, so if you find one, chances are there are more nearby.
In the winter, they prefer deep, slow-moving, or stagnant water. On smaller lakes, they are typically found in the deeper basins, often in the same areas where you’d look for crappies. On rivers they are going to be found in deeper holes and areas with little to no current.
Most channel catfish in winter are caught between twenty and forty feet of water. They also have a tendency to suspend off the bottom. Typically the higher they are suspended off of the bottom the more active they will be.
Baits For Catching Catfish Ice Fishing
There are a number of baits that work when for ice fishing catfish but the top three are a heavy spoon, a plain treble hook, and a Rapala Jigging Rap.
A heavy spoon like the Northland Fishing Tackle Tungsten Buckshot Spoon is a great option for channel catfish. Tungsten is much denser than lead which allows ice anglers to use a smaller profiled presentation that can still get down to deeper depths. Tip the spoon with a minnow head and you will be ready to catch some catfish.
A light split-shot weight and treble hook tipped with a full minnow is another great presentation for catfish in winter. This simple, yet deadly presentation can be fish anywhere channel catfish live. Set the split-shot about a foot above the treble hook. For the best success hook the minnow in the middle of the body. This allows it to hang horizontally.
The Rapala Jigging Rap does a great job imitating small baitfish that catfish commonly feed on. The size seven and nine are perfect for catching catfish when ice fishing. Both are heavy enough to get down to the deep water that channels cats commonly patrol. Minnows can be tipped on the treble hook and back hook of the Rapala Jigging Rap.
No matter what bait you choose the key is to tip your presentation with livebait. This is one of the most important ice fishing catfish tactics. Channel catfish use their keen sense of smell to locate food.
Tipping your presentation with a whole or half of a minnow is the best way to trigger a strike. Fathead minnows, crappie minnows, shiners, and sucker minnows all work well for catfish.
Harvesting Channel Catfish In Winter
Due to their schooling nature and predictable locations, channel catfish are susceptible to over harvest in winter. This is especially true in lakes with catfish present, because ice conditions often make travel and access easy.
As anglers it’s our responsibility to use angling ethics and only harvest the amount we want to eat. Selective harvest is also recommended. Keep a few smaller fish for dinner and release larger fish to continue to grow into trophy caliber fish.
This will ensure future generations can enjoy the resource for years to come.
FAQ’s
What is the most important ice fishing catfish tactic?
Remember to slow down your presentation. The less you move your bait the more likely it is a catfish will bite it.
What is the best bait when ice fishing for channel catfish?
Minnows are a must when targeting catfish through the ice. They can be used on spoons, Rapala Jigging Raps, and plain hooks. Fat head minnows, shiners, and sucker minnows all work well for catfish.
What is the best sized eating channel catfish?
Smaller sized channel catfish between one and four pounds produced the best eating fillets.
How big do channel catfish get in lakes?
Most channel catfish are between one and seven pounds, however many lakes can produce channel catfish reaching twenty pounds or more.
Can you ice fish for catfish in rivers?
Yes, catfish can caught on rivers in winter. However, you always need to check ice conditions and be cautious on sections with fast current or deeper water.
Conclusion
For those looking to chase something a little different out on the ice, channel catfish are the species for you. These fish can be found in large schools providing consistent action for ice anglers. With the proper baits and a few ice fishing catfish tactics you can have a great time on the ice chasing channel cats.
