Ice Fishing Technology: There have been big advancements made in technology in recent years that aid ice fishermen in their pursuits. With the mapping that is available today, side viewing sonar and all the other technology, it certainly makes it a little easier to find fish. Technology like Garmin LiveScope allows anglers to learn a lot about fish behavior and key in on where their haunts are with more ease. Steve talks about the LiveScope and also explains how he hooks it up to a big screen television in his wheelhouse and splits that screen with an underwater camera creating a really cool experience for anglers to watch what's happening beneath the surface. Even with an assist from sophisticated technology, you can't force fish to bite. Steve discusses a recent trip out on the ice where he watched hundreds of fish camped out beneath his fish house, but very few would actually bite. Technology helps in the search, but the catching part is still on the angler, he says.
Beyond the Traditional Ice Belt: Some of the best ice fishing in the country can be found in places like Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, the Dakotas, Ohio and more. However, there are also incredible opportunities out west. Ice fishing is one of those new frontiers for a lot of anglers, Steve says. You can go out, catch fish, be comfortable and have fun. It's a great sport, one very popular with women, and one that is more accessible because there is no boat required and it's easy to get out. More and more, ice anglers are looking for destination type trips, he says, and people are willing to drive great distances to check out western locations like Cascade Lake in Idaho where they are known for their giant perch. Steve talks about his experience fishing Montana's Hebgen Lake near West Yellowstone and highlights the fantastic fishing as well as the beautiful scenery.
Impact of Extreme Cold on Water Temperatures and Fish: A recent cold snap that moved through the ice belt saw temperatures as low as -40 in some parts of Minnesota. Steve talks about the different impacts of extreme cold weather events during the ice fishing season. How does the air temperature impact the water temperature below the ice? "Garmin Stone Cold Fishing" took on that topic and went directly to an expert to break down the science of it all. Steve discusses the perceived impact of cold air temperatures on the water and what is actually happening beneath the ice. Furthermore, he talks about the risk of fishing deeper in the water column during those cold snaps and how it could potentially hurt the resource by killing the catch and release fish.
Tips for Fishing High Pressure Bodies of Water: The extreme cold advances ice accumulation and as the ice gets thicker, more anglers head out on the hard water. If you're fishing high pressure bodies of water, Steve says you have to be prepared to change up your strategy. One of the advantages of having good mapping, he says, is it allows you to study locations that produce fish and find out why fish tend to stage there. Based on that information, you can then look at other areas of the lake and find places that have similar characteristics to the spots known to produce fish and then check them out. In many cases, other anglers won't be fishing those lesser known spots and you'll be able to find unpressured fish. Another way to fish high pressure areas is to downsize by using a lighter line, smaller hooks, smaller baits and more precise presentations.
Be sure to watch "Lake Commandos" on Outdoor Channel, Sunday mornings at 11:30 ET and previous seasons and episodes anytime on MyOutdoorTV. Plus, you can get in on the seasonal ice fishing action happening each week on "Garmin Stone Cold Fishing", Sunday evenings at 8:00 ET. Check it out!
Bunny