Fish Not Biting?

Here we sit, that time of year when most ice anglers are scratching their heads wondering why the fish aren't biting anymore.  Well, to be honest, I am left scratching my head this time of year also wondering what is the best way to put some fish on the ice.  Yes, there are lakes that have excellent bites going right now, but, for the most part it is that time of year. Typical Mid-February in Minnesota, about 3 feet of ice another foot of snow which equals tough fishing.  You know that time of year when people start thinking they have had enough of this cold and snow and are taking a vacation to a warmer destination.  Well, here we are!

So, what do we do to up our odds at putting some fish on ice?  First, you can forget those lakes that had great day bites going on early in the year.  When lakes first ice up, the dissolved oxygen levels are much higher than they are right now and fish are active throughout the day.  At this time of year I prefer to stick to the peak periods at first light and last light.  The bite may still be tough but I prefer to fish when they want to bite versus when they don't.  Fish have to move to feed and when oxygen levels get low, they keep their movement to a minimum and only move when they need to feed.

I don't want to get to into dissolved oxygen levels that much but next to forage levels in lakes they effect the bite the most.  Essentially when Oxygen levels get low fish go into survival mode and restrict their movement to things that they need to survive, which, for a fish, is basically breath and eat.  The good part about having low oxygen levels for the angler is that in general it concentrates the fish in the part of lake with the highest Dissolved Oxygen levels.  Usually this is the deepest part of the lake or near a water inlet.  When Oxygen levels get extremely low however, fish are usually found over deep water near at the top of the water column, just under the ice.  Occasionally these fish will bite but for the most part are just trying to survive and often times hard to catch.

If you want to up your odds at catching fish this time of year see the following list:

• Fish Deep Water
• Target Lakes that are River Fed
• Fish the Peak Times the Day
• Slow Down your Presentation
• Fish Deep Lakes
• Try Open Water Fishing While on Vacation

There is no doubt the bite gets tough this time of year.  There isn't anyone that would tell you different as it happens every year.  The list above should help you choose the lakes you fish this time of year and may help put some more fish on the ice.  The other option is to pack up your ice house and head up to the International Eelpout Festival in Walker MN this weekend.  Usually the Eelpout are willing to bite any time of year and even if you don't wet a line you can have a great time spending the weekend on the ice.