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Forums > Ask the Pros > Ask Randy Johnson
Subject: Finding panfish at iceout
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No Clue (guest)
4/08/2006 11:08 AM  
randyman,
I have always had trouble finding fish right after iceout. it seems that they just vanish. do you have any suggestions?
RandyManUser is Offline
JustNorth Pro
JustNorth Pro
Posts:619

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4/12/2006 6:22 AM  
Yea Hey!!

At ice out is some of the hardest fishing you will find all year - that being said, there are LOTS of reasons to fish this time of year!

things like few people on the water make this a wonderful time to get on the water.
birds are just returning and are a blast to watch
I like to test my equipment out before the season starts
etc!!

Now - to find fish this time of the year you will need a lake map and good electronics. Panfish hold just off of thier breading grounds this time of the year. When I go to a lake that I have never fished before I will offen bring a map into the local bait store and ask them were I would find fish after the water temp gets over 50 degrees. The bait store owners are often your best bet for this information.

Now look at these spots and find deep water near them. By moving over the deep water edge near these spots with your electronics you will find small groups of fish. I like to use a small jig and minnow at this time also to hunt them down! The panfish will hold at depths from just under the surface to holding to the bottom. So keep a good eye on the depthfinder. Most of the time you will need to stay on the move as panfish this time of the year will feed and move, feed and move.

In short - hunt them down in deep water near the area's you will fish them during May! I was out last weeknd on a lake with a 30 foot deep spot and there was still ice on the lake. We fished for 2 hours along a 120 yard shoreline with a nice drop and got one limit of crappie with two people in the boat.

The real key this time of the year is hunting the fish down! Hope this helps!!

RandyMan
Randy "RandyMan" Johnson
JustNorth Outdoors Columnist
JustNorth Outdoors Pro Staff
Team JustNorth Core Team
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Forums > Ask the Pros > Ask Randy Johnson > Finding panfish at iceout


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