Finding First Ice Walleyes

First ice is one of the most exciting times of the year in the Midwest! Anyone that lives here knows the anticipation and desire to get back onto the ice is real. Panfish are always one of the number one species that are targeted during this time, as they are easy to find and many times abundant in many lakes. However; maybe you are a diehard walleye angler and when that early ice hits, you’d like to find some of your walleye friends. In this article I will run through some tips that will help you find early ice walleyes fast, and what you can do to better your chances of catching them. 

Timing is crucial when it comes to walleyes. Low light periods are always going to perform the best for you, mornings and evenings. Walleyes are often going to be more active during these times of the day, searching out food sources and typically easier to pattern. During early ice periods and after an initial freeze walleye will be typically more active than during later ice periods. Keep timing in mind when you are planning your trips for walleyes this time of the year. Of course, you can catch them anytime of the day, but your best luck will always likely be had during lower light.

Locating high percentage areas and doing your research of the lake you will be fishing will greatly increase your odds of finding some walleyes. The best areas to search out are, rock structures (reefs), shallow flats near steep drop offs, weed lines, and lake points. Timing and location go hand in hand when putting together a good plan for walleyes. Walleyes will often head shallow or to weeds during low light periods in search of bait fish. During high sun daytime hours walleyes can often be found on deeper reefs or drop offs where they will feel more comfortable during the day. There are a lot of great apps available that can show lake maps and contours to help you make the best judgement when heading out onto the lake.

Selecting the correct bait and Equipment is a very important step into enticing those finicky walleyes to take a bite. Many times, live bait can be your best friend when it comes to catching walleyes through the ice. Artificial baits like flutter spoons, snap jigs, jig and plastic can also be very productive baits through the ice as well. My preferred reel for Walleyes is the Carbon XII 1000 due to how light it is and the incredible drag. Dead sticking minnows or minnows under tip ups are one of my go-to techniques when the bite is tough. This is the most natural looking presentation you can offer, and many times leads to many fishing being pulled topside. Let the walleyes tell you what they want that day and be sure to make the switch often if you’re getting a lot of lookers.

Stay mobile throughout your trip! Sometimes you may strike out on a spot that you thought would be money. It’s always good to have options and keep on the move if you’re not getting any action, especially on bigger lakes. Be sure that you have a few spots in mind, that way you don’t waste much time when planning to move from spot to spot until you find your bite.

Utilize any local knowledge you may be able to receive. Baits shops, Facebook groups, and anglers on the ice are sometimes always happy to lend a helping hand or give some suggestions on where there may be some good bites. Whenever you are traveling to a new body of water it’s always best to attain some local knowledge on the lake’s ecosystem and of course typical ice conditions throughout the lake. Early ice can be fun, but it can also be a dangerous time of the year if you aren’t careful. 

These are a few of my tips on searching out early ice walleyes. There are a ton of great fishing tools out there today that can really expedite the process on the lake! Walleye fishing this time of the year can be a ton of fun, and I hope these tips and tricks will help you find your next walleye bite! Be sure to be safe out there and keep those lines tight this fishing season!