Fishing Forum

I was wondering if it can be technically considered Ice Fishing when you cast into an isolated unfrozen spot on a otherwise 99% iced lake. I did this with a small pond first for catfish (no luck) a few weeks ago, then a large lake yesterday with a tube and a for anything (no luck). I think if its just a small hole, maybe a diameter of 15 feet, it could be considered ice fishing, even from shore.
The hook's hard to clear the ice without it getting snagged , so don't try it with any valuable lures. I almost broke my line a couple times.
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In the winter time, we get a small spot on our lake that opens up to a couple square yards because of under water currents and atmospheric preasure.

my rule is, if your standing on a sheet of ice and your dropping your lure in to a hole of that ice, you are ice fishing.

we would stand a few feet away and cast in, The trick we found to not snag the edge was to use enough bait to cover the tip of the hook and use a regular size bobber and when we get close to the edge with our rods pointed down, we would lift our rods upwords quickly.

now we were only fishing a couple feet below the ice wich means our leads were only about 3 feet, the depth of the spot where we the hole opens is only 4 foot deap to if a man were to go though, he would only be chest to chin deap. And yes someone always goes though there every year...

might I suggest if your fishing for larger fish to use weedless hooks it has a wire across the point that will keep your hook from biting in to the ice when pulling it out.
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Thank you Mr. Clown, Sir.
I basically wanted to get one last trip in before the lakes froze completely. I secretly hoped I didn't get a big fish though, I don't think it would have worked out (a nibble would have been nice).
There's one spot that I think should stay unfrozen all year, I'll probably try it out with a long pole from shore.
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