WHITEFISH MADE EASY

Driving out on the frozen surface of Green Bay, it might as well have been the arctic circle. Snow and ice heaves dominated the landscape. Dotting the horizon were a few outcroppings of ice shelters - some permanent and some portable. Our Clam Fish Trap X Series shelters were neatly in tow and ready for the mission at hand. No matter how cold and windy it was, we were going to be comfortable and mobile for our assault on Lake Michigan whitefish.

The idea was to follow the faint snow covered path that locals called an ice road to one of the near shore reefs in search of nomadic schools of whitefish. Ranging in size from 12-24 inches, whitefish have been a mainstay of commercial fishermen in these waters for over a century. However, with recent changes in their available forage and feeding habits, whitefish have become increasingly more accessible and popular with recreational anglers. And for good reason - whitefish are plentiful and are among the finest eating fish in all of Lake Michigan. From broiled, to baked, to pan fried, whitefish are delicious any way you cook them.

With broiled whitefish on our minds, the first task of the morning was to drill 50-60 holes in groupings of 4-6 each, and then move our portable Fish Trap shelters from spot to spot until a hot location was found. Our overall search time was narrowed significantly through the assistance of the area’s top fishing guide, Bret Alexander. Alexander is accustomed to getting his clients on limits of whitefish and having a good time in the process.

Using StrikeMaster’s Pro Lithium 40v Lite auger, we powered through the task of drilling holes in no time. The gopher from Caddy Shack would have been jealous of the mess we made of the previously pristine ice surface. The once smooth spotless surface was transformed into a mine field of countless ice-shaven mounds. Each mound representing a potential hotspot for whitefish.

With holes drilled and shelters setup, rods were quickly rigged and our offerings deployed in search of hungry whitefish. The set up was simple. Alexander favors a double rig for whitefish. The main line consists of 6-pound test monofilament or 8-pound test Frost Ice Braid line. Monofilament works well in shallow water conditions and when fishing outside in bitter temperatures. Monofilament tends to withstand freezing conditions better than braid.

Braided line excels when fishing from a heated shelter in depths of fifty feet or greater. Frost Ice Braid’s incredible sensitivity means even the lightest tap resonates in the rod handle, and its no stretch construction allows for immediate hooksets. Whitefish don’t stand a chance with this setup. In addition, the ultra-thin diameter of Frost Ice Braid allows it to be fished perfectly vertical with minimum weight, even when the underwater currents of Green Bay pick up.

To the main line, Alexander attaches a free riding size 12 Owner Stinger treble hook dressed with a few wax worms and then ties a tiny swivel to the end of the main line. He completes the rig by trying on a 20” length of 6-pound test Frost Ice Fluorocarbon with a small snap on the end. To the snap is attached a 1/16-1/4 oz jigging spoon, such as a Clam Pinhead Jigging Mino, Blade Spoon or Speed Spoon. These spoons are compact in size and have an action that attracts whitefish both on the fall and upswing. No need for rattles in the clear waters surrounding Sturgeon Bay, as whitefish rely heavily on their vision when scavenging near the bottom for gobies Alexander stresses the need to keep the bait moving. The movement of the bait both attracts and triggers whitefish into biting. Whereas most anglers are accustomed to stopping the jigging motion once fish appear on their Vexilar, whitefish will often ignore a lure if it sits motionless for more than a few seconds. Whitefish have a short attention span. For this reason, it is important to use a balanced rod and reel combo to keep a smooth and consistent jigging cadence. Clam makes several such outfits including the Jason Mitchell Gen8 30” and Ice Team Carbon 30” medium action combos.

A balanced outfit means less fatigue when jigging small spoons within a few inches of the bottom for hours straight. The sensitive graphite construction of these Clam combos also makes it easy to detect light biting whitefish before they can spit the hook. Whitefish often hover in front of a bait for several seconds before deciding to commit to or swim away from the bait. They also have a tendency to suck in a bait and rest motionless with the bait in their mouths. Without a sensitive rod, it’s impossible to detect this slight bit of extra pressure as the fish hangs onto the lure.

Once the hook is set, the fight of a whitefish is somewhere between a walleye and trout. They run line and shake their heads in an effort to dislodge the hook. When they finally get near the hole, the real fun begins. Because their mouth is soft like that of a crappie, it’s far too easy for them to pull the hook free as they twist and turn under the ice. They are also slick like a trout, which makes them difficult to land. For this reason, it is best to quickly scoop them onto the ice once you have them moving up the hole.

Without too much effort, we had put of limit of whitefish on the ice before midday. With the Fish Trap shelters stowed away, it was time to head home for a good old fashioned fish boil. For those interested in guided whitefish trips, contact Bret Alexander at (920) 851-4214.