They really seem to be almost everywhere on the lake at this time of year from what I can tell. I’ve gone several times this year targeting them specifically and it’s a blast to check your lines throughout the night. Jig a bit in the shack/cook food/play card or whatever and check every 45 mins or so. Or just leave em overnight.
If your only setting six traps (we had 4 people last time), and your fishing them for two nights, I would vary my spread from as little as 5’ through 40/45’ the first night to see if you can find them. Then move accordingly for the second night. If your only going one night I would conecentrate around 15-30’. They seemed to be coming more and more shallow as the year went on, but last time I went (two weeks ago) they were all around 35’. The week before 15’ was on fire.
I would try to find big rocks/cobbles or sand that is adjacent to deep water. They seem to come up from the deep in the afternoon to feed at night in the shallows. That being said I’ve caught them midday as well in full sunlight.
I would also get the biggest shiners/bait you can find, and also chum some in the holes to draw them in. If you can only get smaller bait don’t be afraid to put a few on. It doesn’t seem to keep the little ones away, but more action from multiple fish can’t hurt in my opinion.
Finally, if you’re going to eat them, and you should they are by far the best freshwater fish imo, use this video. You get all the meat possible, and it makes keeping even the small ones worthwhile.
