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Ice Fishing Mille Lacs Article
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Tips for Using Ice Fishing Jigs
from:Ice fishing jigs are undoubtedly one of the most important lures in a tackle box, and understanding the correct method of jigging for freshwater fish in lakes throughout the north is critical in catching the big fish. Incorrectly jigging will result in few if any bites, even if fish are present in the area.
One of the most important things to remember about using an ice fishing jig is that success will rely on the action of the lure, the bait used on the jig as well as action of the jig to attract the fish. Bait is an optional choice, but most ice fishermen use some kind of bait, a maggot, larva, pre-scented plastic bait or even a bit of fresh or frozen minnow if live is not available.
The next step is to find the jig action that seems to attract the fish. Ice fishing jigs are designed to mimic the action of a bait fishing moving up and down in the water, at about the level that fish are feeding. Depth finders and a fish locator can be ideal in helping to set the jig at the correct distance off the bottom. The jig should then be bounced about one to two feet off the bottom, with a lag of twenty to thirty seconds between jigs. The motion can be more or less pronounced and it is important to keep varying the ice fishing jig motion until you find the action that starts the fish feeding.
The jig can also be moved from side to side in a method called “thrumming”. To move the jig in a horizontal method rapidly move the end or the rod or the tip of the rod back and forth rapidly. By the end of the line this will result in a one to three inch sideways movement as well as an up and down bobbing motion. Ice fishing jigs that work well in this presentation are the hard bodied or contoured type jigs with a baited hook presentation.
Bobbers can be very effective for depth control of jigs. Once you have had a nibble or have landed a fish at one depth, try jigging one or two feet on either side of the jig to allow for maximum area coverage. Be sure to stay within the allowed number of lines for the body of water that you are fishing, and if you are using tip-ups follow the distance regulations. Most fishing regulations require that anglers must have a clear line of vision with all tip-ups in the water.
Ice Fishing Mille Lacs News
Weekly Minnesota fishing report - Minneapolis Star Tribune
The recent cold weather has jump-started the ice fishing season, with anglers in many areas of Minnesota creeping out onto lakes, many only partially frozen. Some are finding pretty good action. But officials again urged caution. "Ice fishing is ...
Read more...Ice fishing action is heating up as ice begins to get thicker - Albert Lea Tribune
The weather for Thanksgiving Day was decent and the thin sheet of ice that is covering our area lakes has brought out the fishermen. There have been quite a few portables on the channel by Frank Hall Park and a lot of fishermen just sitting in the ...
Read more...McMansions on Ice - New York Times
Nowhere are the ad hoc housing developments of fishing shacks more impressive than on Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota. Mark Rislund’s 10-by-28-foot icehouse has a full kitchen, an indoor toilet, a sound system and two TVs
Read more...E-mail this story - Minneapolis Star Tribune
I f you gathered all of the ice fishing houses in Minnesota and plopped them onto one large lake, you'd create the third-largest city in the state. Second biggest, if you put just two anglers in each ice house. Instead, the state's 150,000 or so ice ...
Read more...Stories near and deer to the season - Chicago Sun-Times
Here's a sampler of stories from Illinois' first firearm deer season, which ended Sunday. Illinois hunters reported a preliminary harvest of 71,894 deer, compared with the 85,490 taken in the first season of 2007. The second firearm season is Dec. 4 ...
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