Whitefish!

[VTMatt]

This has been a really good year on the ice for me, and Sunday topped it off. I haven't fished a ton at my house this year, but with the crazy weather on the way, I made the decision to go scout some deeper water in hopes of something new. I stopped along the way to the drop off and spoke to a neighbor. We talked for quite a while as he sat on a bucket, pulling up big yellows. He told me about the good fishing when and where and then suggested I popped a hole and fished a bit. I wasn't going to turn down a chance at some big yellows, so I cut a hole and started fishing. We chatted a while until he left with the amount he wanted. I ended up catching a bunch of big yellows and then made a move and cut a line of holes on a steep drop from 12 to 50 FOW. I found myself at a hot hole for hours until my drag started to scream - oh boy!! 

I figured it was either a pike, bass, or even a walleye. I was using a barbless jig and got nervous as the fish approached the hole...but as soon as I got a glimpse of it, I knew right away what it was. Whitefish!!  I shoved my arm down the hole and pulled it out of the hole and onto the ice. Out popped the jig and I let out a holler of excitement. It topped off the bucket full of big yellows nicely! 

I stayed out almost until dark, sifting through more yellows, only keeping the big ones. By the time I had marked the spot on navionics, there was 8-9" of fresh snow on the ice. A big difference from the near bare ice I walked out on.  The wind was blowing, heavy snow falling and visibility was so poor I couldn't see the outline of shore anymore.  The only thing I could think of was, "THIS is what I love" I texted my girlfriend to turn the back lights on at the house for me and I could see the feint glow through the snow, so I started the walk back. Dragging a heavy Yukon flipover and also a jet sled behind it in 8-9" of snow took what seemed like forever, but all in a day's work.

I didnt measure the fish, but knew it wasn't MA size. I would say 18-19"  We just got done eating it - very tasty! 

[pokholes]

Congrats on the Whitefish Matt.

[mudchuck]

very nice!

[Registered Kayak]

Hot damn!! Good job Matt. You got my attention. Been hunting these down with no luck. Can't wait to head out to the sea for these.

[mudchuck]

You know Drew is gonna be salivating now

[Champlain Islander]

nice catch and a rare treat to ice. Good eats too.

[perch bait]

Great job Matt and a great write-up!! Whitefish are certainly a unique looking fish.

[stimpyNEK]

Thanks for the story...i have layed off the perch for a while but now i think its time to fire up again

[flagfishon]

Great fish and great story!  Have you been taking lessons from perch bait?   If I ever catch anything this year worth writing about, I'll have to try to make an effort myself.  Great post.

[JMailbox8]

Great haul, VTMatt!

[Honest_John]

Way to go!

[NHHARDWATER]

Nice whitefish Matt - gotta love it! Thanks for sharing the story

[WVBoy]

Niiice!

[Crayfish2]

Congrats, Matt!  Nice catch!  The only whitefish I've ever seen was the one Wes caught in among the whites on St.A a couple of years ago.

[aquarium234]

glad you got one, Know you were hunting for these guys last year :-)

[bootstrap]

nice catch and in your own back yard. might have to trade my house for one more north if we keep having iceless years here.

[rbobby]

They're tasty, we caught a few couple weeks back in
 St albans bay fishing for perch.

[fishy1]

great post matt. i could just feel the excitement when you sent the pic to my phone. the whitefish was for sure the catch of the day.