BEFORE THE STORM

Ice anglers often joke that any day is a good day to go icefishing. While that statement is true, there are some days that are just better than other days for being on the hard water and catching fish. In my opinion, one of the best times to head icefishing is the day lor two before a winter storm hits. I say this, because over the years, I’ve discovered a pattern that fish really seem to turn on and become aggressive a day or so before a winter storm or major cold front rolls through an area.

Amazingly, even though underwater environments are sealed off from winter weather, what’s going on above the ice has a dramatic effect on how the fish will react. When weather conditions are stable, fish will feed regularly and often fall into predictable feeding patterns that anglers can capitalize on and enjoy some consistent icefishing action. As a winter storm system starts to develop, fish sense the upcoming changing weather conditions and all species of fish begin to feed aggressively right up until the storm starts to hit. Once the storm hits, the fish turn inactive and fishing slows right down for a couple of days until conditions begin to stabilize again.

A winter storm can range from a moderate snow fall over a few hours to blizzard conditions with blinding wind-driven snow that lasts several days. Typically winter storms consist of high winds, snowfall and cold temperatures. In some cases, there can also be sleet or freezing rain ahead of the snowfall and plummeting temperatures.

When watching the weather forecast for winter storms, also keep an eye out for approaching cold fronts and dramatic temperature drops. The reason for this is because fish will also react in a similar fashion to an approaching cold front and the fishing a day or two before these types of weather systems are also very productive.

During a winter storm or cold front, fish will typically move into deeper

EVEN THOUGH UNDERWATER ENVIRONMENTS ARE SEALED OFF FROM WINTER WEATHER, WHAT’S GOING ON ABOVE THE ICE HAS A DRAMATIC EFFECT ON HOW THE FISH WILL REACT.

water environments and remain there for the duration of the bad weather. After the wintery weather moves out of the area, the fish will gradually move out of the deeper water but remain lethargic until the weather stabilizes. Over the years, I’ve noticed a pattern in that each time a winter storm or cold front rolls through, the fish seem to move deeper and deeper during the bad weather and not move back as shallow each time the conditions stabilize.

During the magical period before a winter storm, fish will aggressively seek out food. As the weather disturbance begins to build and get closer, fish instinctively move into feeding mode. In the lakes across western Canada where I fish, the fish typically move into shallow water structure areas adjacent to deeper water areas. In these situations, prime fishing locations include sand bars, rock piles, sand flats, sandy bays, transitional zones between hard and soft bottom and near the edges of old weed beds.

Since the fish are in a feeding mode prior to a storm, there is no need to try finesse fishing tactics that are so often used throughout the winter. Instead, go with aggressive tactics, such as jigging Tikka Minnows to trigger strikes.

When fishing prior to bad weather it is important to search out actively feeding fish. Don’t sit and wait for the fish to come to you. Instead, keep moving and searching for actively feeding fish until you find them. During these times, never spend more than 5 minutes in the same hole without having a strike or seeing active fish on your flasher. In For best results, start by drilling multiple holes in the area intended to be fished. If the fish bite great! If not drill some additional holes close by to where you began fishing. If after several smaller moves you still haven’t located any fish, start to expand your search and move to a new piece of structure. Often you may only have to move several yards to find fish. However, there may be times when you have to move several hundred yards to get into the active fish.

When fishing prior to a winter storm, always monitor the weather to ensure the inclement weather doesn’t hit sooner than expected and put you in a dangerous situation.