Northerns

[Guest]

I want to catch some northerns through the ice this winter, but have never done it before. I'm very experienced with catching them during the summer and always fish for panfish when there is ice, but have never tried for northerns. Can you give me a few tips on catching them. Thanks

[Rick]

In the Faribault area, (early season)find green weeds and either an inside turn or point on the outside edge of the weeds (you probably won't be fishing in water deeper that 12 feet) and set-up tip-ups with a BIG sucker-chub-shiner. Set them at at differant depths.

Later season, the pike will cruise right under the ice scooping up dead/dying minnows the crappie fishermen have dumped down their holes in the crappie spots(The muskies do this as well).

There are other methods that may work better, but this is a pretty good one for a first timer at it.

[Valv]

I've been having good luck with a large minnow, sucker or shiner on a plain hook.
I've been fishing Mazaska last 5 days and I've caught plenty of them. You can see if they are around becouse everything else disappears temporarily on your fish finder.
I just dig a hole by itself (if you have a TipUp will help, so you dont' "waste" a hole while fishing for panfish) and let it stand for a while. I was surprised I was catching them at 24'/28'. They do put up a nice fight, but don't be in a hurry, let them fight for a while or, if you have a light line you will loose them. I found out that I can use the curved end of my ice strainer for a gaffe, just hook them into a gill when they finally show up out of the hole.
Beware they shake heads very hard, and if your like is tight, they might break it.
It also works a heavy leather glove, just grab them by the mouth.

Val

[Guest]

St. Olaf lake just NE of New Richland will produce some good action. fish with tip-ups and sucker minnows on the south and west side of the lake. look for 6-8 feet of water. i'm sure you will see others out there.