There is a large group of fishermen in Minnesota who do not let the winter keep them from targeting walleyes. So they put on their warm clothes, grab an auger and a bucket of bait, and set out on the ice-covered lakes in search of walleyes. While ice fishing for walleyes is a different game than fishing for them in open water, the angler who finds and catches walleyes can have a meal of fine-tasting fish.
Significance
There is no fish that receives more attention from fishermen in Minnesota than walleyes, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Open season for walleyes runs from early April until the end of February, so while the majority of walleye angling occurs during the open-water season, one-third or more occurs on the ice. There is a whole culture of ice fishing for walleyes in Minnesota, which is evident by the citylike complexes of fish houses that pop up each year over productive spots for walleye fishing.
Jigging Spoons
During the open-water season, anglers who want to locate walleyes can use a variety of search techniques, including trolling crankbaits or live-bait rigs. That is not an option when lakes are locked in ice. So anglers who want to fish aggressively and locate active walleyes should use a jigging spoon and tip it with a minnow head. Drop the spoon through the ice and to the bottom of the lake, then fish it aggressively with an up and down motion. The motion attracts walleyes, which generally will hit the jigging spoon as it falls toward the bottom.
Location
With the exception of the spring, when they are spawning, walleyes are fish of deep water. That is also the case during the winter. Ice fishermen should target the same types of areas they fish in the summer--drop-offs, the edges of green beds of vegetation, and humps and reefs. Under low-light conditions, walleyes will move onto the tops of drop-offs, humps and reefs to feed. During the day, they often suspend off the sides and are in a neutral feeding state.
While any lake with a population of walleyes is a candidate for good ice fishing, some lakes stand out at ice fishing hot spots, including Lake of the Woods, Lake Winnibigoshish, Leech Lake, Mille Lacs Lake and Upper Red Lake.
Warning
Walleyes are sensitive to the world around them and, generally, are rather wary. Anglers who fish from boats often recognize the importance of being as quiet as possible--not stomping around in the boat or dropping the anchor on the boat floor, for example. But these same fishermen often make too much noise when they are ice fishing. They stomp around on the ice. They talk loudly. They drill holes in the ice and expect the walleyes to bite right away. Keep in mind that walleyes are just as sensitive to sounds during the winter as they are during the open-water season. Being as quiet as possible will help you catch more walleyes.
Regulations
Ice fishermen must have a valid fishing license. The DNR offers many types of fishing licenses, including some last are valid for 24 hours and some that are valid for 14 months. Ice fishermen also are bound by limits on the number of walleyes they can catch and keep. In general, they can keep six per day. However, there are special regulations on some lakes, so check the latest version of the Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook. In addition, during the open-water season, anglers are allowed to use only one rod and reel at a time when fishing for walleyes. They can use two at a time when fishing atop the ice.
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