Landlocks in shallow

[tblaster123]

Was targeting brook trout on Sunday up on Blue Mountain and caught 2 keeper LL salmon. I had my tip ups set in 6 FOW - 12 FOW, and had the minnow 1 ft off the bottom. I'm considering heading back to the same location this weekend.. maybe i could land more fish if i set a few tips ups only 1 or 2 ft under the ice??

Just curious, has anyone else caught landlocks on the bottom in shallow water like that? Wondering if i should rethink my method of attack..Typically I run my bait 5 ft under the ice over deeper water.. it was a pleasant surprise to end up with a couple salmon, but definitely unexpected.

[Mr.Esox]

Never caught them shallow  but than again I never targeted them there. How have you done on bookies  I have had no luck so far .

[tblaster123]

I caught 1 on early ice.. 15 incher and it was a football. the weekend of Christmas.. Merry Christmas to me, I said. Lol

[nitzer]

hahaha "bookies?" I personally haven't done to well with them!!!! 

[bigredonice]

In open water, I see landlocks up shallow all the time.   A place I used to wade and fish, we would wade out to the top of our waders then turn around and cast towards shore for the landlocks.

[tblaster123]

In open water, I see landlocks up shallow all the time.   A place I used to wade and fish, we would wade out to the top of our waders then turn around and cast towards shore for the landlocks.

Thats awesome! Sounds like a fun time. I used to fish in the spring at  the mouth of a smelt creek years ago and hammered landlocks in shallow water.. just never seen it on the ice before

[pgachef]

Looked like you were the only guy on the lake that day.

[tblaster123]

Looked like you were the only guy on the lake that day.

I probably was.. I typically fish alone, and I tend to fish lakes that don't really get a lot of traffic. Some so called "friends" will make plans to meet up.and either cancel or pull a no-show

[seanc25]

Best LL I've caught came on 4th in 6 FOW last year.

[tblaster123]

6fow on the bottom or right under the ice? I guess either way the fish will see it..

[seanc25]

Just the leader so about 3' down.  23"  3lb

[Eaglecrg]

You've caught two in shallow water near the bottom.  Why argue with success?  You can always experiment with a couple setups to see what works.

[tblaster123]

That's all I'm looking to do.. and get others opinions. No one yet has commented about ice fishing for landlocks off the bottom in any depth of water.. so I'm guessing it's a pretty uncommon thing. 20 plus years of fishing for salmon and it was a first for me. Just looking for any feedback, not arguing my own success!

[wish4fish]

In lakes w/ Smelts as forage I've found that the LLS and Lakers use the bottom of the ice to trap the Smelt and cruise just under the ice much of the time. I imagine they also push the schools of bait in shallow to make it easier to trap them. Several of the bigger Salmon I've caught had fresh cuts and scrapes on their noses from pinning Smelts against the ice..

[seanc25]

I agree it seems the shallower you go the bigger the fish get with more experience seems to draw them in shallow

[tblaster123]

There is something about ice fishing shallow that I really enjoy.  Maybe a lot of things. I can set up my lines quick.. Typically the bait gets swallowed when the fish come in shallow to get it, so when I get a flag I know it's a fish on! And then at the end of the day I don't have to wrap up 20 - 30 ft of line on 7 tip ups in the cold and wind.  Lol

[Mr.Esox]

I have caught browns in 10-15 ft of water right off the bottom .  Keep it going and good luck

[reddog11]

I have caught some nice salmon and `bows in 8-12 FOW on Lake Eaton. I use cup bait on the tip-up`s. 6 pound test mono, 12 foot leader with size 14 Mustad treble hooks. Using the smaller minnows I get more hook up`s. My best salmon in the shallows was a 24 inch 6 pound 4 ounce beauty. The predators go where the prey goes... Good luck.

[tblaster123]

Awesome info reddog! I like smaller minnows for salmon as well, like you said a lot more hook ups. I've only made the trip up to Eaton a few times.. never did much better than I can do at home, but still a great fishery up there.. Do you ever set your shallow lines off the bottom or right up under the ice?

[combsey]

I fish shallow on a few lakes for them.   Smaller bait halfway in the water column.       6 feet of water on blue fishing for brookie  has produced some nice fish

[hot tuna]

Any pictures of the keepers ? I have only caught them on ice over deep water but all over the depth column

[tblaster123]

Didn't get pictures of those ones.. I've tried posting pictures on here before and had a hard time. They really need to get something on here for attaching files.