New to Ice fishing. I have Questions??????

[duckdownr]

Hey Guy,

I came from the desert about 5 years ago, I have ALWAYS wanted to try hard water fishing. So this year I did it! Today was my 3rd time on the ice and I finally caught a fish, Well 20 perch. I think i got that part figured out.

I really want to catch big fish. Salmon, Pike, Lakers? HOW do I do it? I have 5 tip ups and have been running them to the bottom with a fathead... I have been fishing on Champlain Keelers bay, The Cow banks and Mallets bay. Where and how do I get the big fish to hit the tip ups?

Please Help! Thank you in advance for your 2 cents.

[gofish33]

There are separate forums for different species, there's one for Northern Pike.  Start by looking through there, you should find lots of info. 

First rule of pike fishing. You need BIG bait to catch BIG fish. A 7"-8" shiner or sucker makes a nice snack for a pike.


gofish

[duckdownr]

Thank you for the info!

[DunmoreFAn]

the lakers are biting on the north side of the crown point bridge on Champlain. try jigging a smelt up and use that for bait run your tip up about 6 feet under the ice. Let me know if you try that and how it works out for you.

[duckdownr]

Thanks for the info!!! You guys are a lot of help.

[MRwalleye]

I would start to use some bigger bait. I like Hunts for Lakers, Salmon and Walleye. You will not get as many Perch flags. I always stagger my tip-ups. I like to put some on the bottom ans under the ice.

[duckdownr]

Thanks again! We caught 54 perch but nothing on the tip ups??

[MRwalleye]

Where did you end up fishing?

[duckdownr]

Keelers bay..........