I'm wondering about something that I would like to hear other fishermen's (and fisherwomen's) opinions on. It has to do with the best time of the day to go ice fishing. Sometimes I go very early in the morning and get set up when it's dark (and freezing cold). The fish may start biting immediately, or they may wait a few hours until the sun comes up. Sometimes the bite ends about 10:00 a.m., and other times the bite doesn't even start until mid-morning. I usually go home around noon, but I read postings of people who have gone ice fishing in the afternoon and had great success. I envy them having a good morning's rest and not arriving on the ice until the sun is nice and warm. I wonder if they know something I don't know about how the snow covering the ice affects the lighting and fish behavior below. So, what has your experience been?
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I have always been an "earlier the better" fisherman. That also has carried over into ice fishing as well. The only place that I can set a clock to is when I go to Mud Creek it starts at 8:15 and goes till 11. After that I might as well leave. I also have done well at Utah Lake Pumphouse just as the sun hits the ice. I have never tried ice fishing after 2 pm. I'll have to give it a try. Good Luck.
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I have found the bite to be much like soft water fishing.
Early morning being best and just around dark almost as good. The rest of the day is normally slow.
Perch fishing all but stops for me at 10:00am and picks back up late in the afternoon.
I like to do lunch and take a nap from 11:00am to 2:00pm but sometimes a fish will bite and interrupt my plans.
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It seems to me that the bite is good in the moring until 10 or 11 then dies right off until late in the afternoon, then the last hour or so of light picks up some.
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The best for me on Strawberry is always about an hour before sunrise to about an hour after. We usually have another got bite serious come through between 11:30 to 2:00pm. (not as good as the morning though).
Mud creek bite does seem to not be so hot real early. The times seem more sporadic. If you have seen a white Explorer sport as you arrive at Mud creek it is mine. We are usually there by 6:00am.
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Well it depends on what species your ice fishing for. ??
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Coldfooter!! when you heading up here to Cache Valley again?? Haven't heard from you in a while, it's good to see you.
Derek
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Hey thanks Derek, I'm still kickin'. Btw,,Where ta heck is Cache Valley??
Seriously I dont get up that way to often. I might run up to Mantua or Pineveiw sometime tho.. I think those ugly bass make nice snow shoes. [
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At any rate, maybe we'll run into each other on the cap some where...
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I like to try to be fishing just as the sun is coming up and fish until just after the sun goes down. The bite is usually good early, but can be good anytime during the day. I hope to be there when the bite is on. I have found that if I relocate (usually to deeper water during the day) I can find the fish again.
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Honestly??? The best time to go Ice fishing is anytime you get there, or anytime you can fish. [cool] I have had great mornings, great mid-day action, and awesome evening bites. I think it has to do more with barametric pressures, location, location, location, and more location, and the right equipment more then the actual time of day. [
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I agree with what has been said. I have found the bite to be better at night at strawberry than during the day most times I go. But then again, it all depends on the day, weather, time of year, species, etc.
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Anytime I can get on the ice is the best time to go. But I have had days that are slow and days that they almost jump out of the hole at me. I just love to be out there.
The fishing is ALWAYS great but , the catching ....well that is different.
Macscabin
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