Night fishing?

[ArcticWilly]

Never tried it and herd a few people talk about it, wondering if anyone can fill me in? What species are you going for at night and what is leagal as far as hooks? I would imagine you need something glowing at least, but probably not allowed to use anything that has a light? Anyways would be interested in trying it sometime this year if anyone can tell me how to go about it that would be great, or if you have any good night fishing stories lets hear them!

[SNAPFisher]

I've tried it with mixed success. 

I did try once to fish walleye in open water at night.  I had my GPS and fish finder for guidance and I knew the lake well.  It was mid summer and nice and warm.  What I didn't think about was the amount of bugs, bugs, bugs that are out on a warm night.  The backlighting from the GPS and fish finder became an instant bug attractor.  It was ....disgusting the size and amount of bugs...just not good.  Oh, and I was totally skunked on fishing too

Now ice fishing, no bugs  8)
I've only really had success with burbot and walleye for night fishing.  I've done it a couple of times using just a glow jig and minnow.  I also use a cam that has night vision.  Keeps it intersting instead of staring down a dark hole 
Even still, the success that I have experienced at night pales in comparison to the morning, day and evening ice fishing I have done.  But that is me.

[jts1]

Went to Pine Coulee this past weekend on sunday. Got set up and in the water about 9am. Just north of the boat launch. Had a good day  7 eye's and a bunch of ling. But as the day ended i noticed guys just showing up , 4 the "night" fish. Well I made my wife stay a few extra hrs. As soon as it got dark the Eyes had picked up Got  5 in like  30 Min's and the ling was the same we had another 4 in the same time.  That's 9 fish in  just over 30 Min's. All we used was a glow jig and smelts  as well as  just a number 8 hook and a half worm.  I did have a monster of a fish on 20 min fight and then it snapped the line. 

[ChillerThriller]

Ive night fished at long lake before. Caught 3 lings and 2 walleye one night. Went a little goofy from the flasher but it was fun. In the 20 years we have had the place we only caught one ling before but in one night i caught 3 BIG ones. Glow jig and a minnow works, just do small jigs. Also those buckshot jigs with the rattles work, the sound seems to bring them in. Ive also seen people come on to the lake when everyone else is leaving. makes a guy wonder.

[element]

I love fishing at night. Burbot and Walleye is all I ever catch. When I go I usually get to the lake around 4:30 so you can get your holes drilled and have time to set up before it gets dark.

[Marlin07]

We have been rocking on the Burbot this winter between 11 and midnight. A little glow and rattle pounded on bottom followed by deadsticking. Good times! Heading up to juossard for walleyes in early Feb and if it's like last year the bite is also better after the sun set's. Pike not so good after dark in my experience. If you have a hardside shanty and are comfortable it's a real blast!

[Gob87]

I have found night fishing for Burbs to be outstanding!!! We have had the best luck with a group of 4-6 people. Drill your holes in a circle with one hole in the middle. Keep in mind with 6 people that is 11 on the outside and 1 in the middle. On all of the outside holes set up a tip up with just a plain hook tipped with a minnow right on the bottom, laying on the bottom if need be. In the middle use a jigging rod or a regular ice rod and work the crap out of a Rattle Trap!!! The sound attracts them in and the food on the way in stops them for a look. Give it a try and enjoy!!!

P.S. Works best in shallow water in front of a cabin with a few adult sodas on hand!!!

[Mississippi]

Anyone having any luck on night fishing in the last couple of weeks??? I am looking for an overnight on ice trip in the next couple of weeks targeting Burbot.  Am I too late for such a trip, or is this a good time? - oh yeah 1-2 hours from Edmonton is a plus!

Thanks guys.

[fishhunter77]

Some of my best Rainbow trout fishing has been 1 hour after dark.   Not every lake though.  Always through the ice.  I have used the truck headlights to watch my line.  They will bite right until 8:00PM.

I always have the best success just before the new year.

Good luck!!

[TravIce]

Anyone having any luck on night fishing in the last couple of weeks??? I am looking for an overnight on ice trip in the next couple of weeks targeting Burbot.  Am I too late for such a trip, or is this a good time? - oh yeah 1-2 hours from Edmonton is a plus!

Thanks guys.

Would probably be a good time to go out on Gull if your looking to night fish, sounds like things are heating up there...

[the local angler]

i have also night fished for burbs and i too found it to be outstanding. like the previous post, in the summer time you do eat much more bugs than the fish does. for night ice fishing i have done very well for burbs and love it. its ussually better with a bunch of people there with you too as it gets kinda freeky with just one person. your mind plays tricks on you. lol. also if anything happens there will be someone there to help.

[Mississippi]

Cool, thanks for the input guys!  Think I might give it a go next weekend.

[ArcticWilly]

Thanks guys, got a weekend trip planned in march.... think I might try a late night fish on the Saturday..... is March too late in the season to try this, or are they starting to pick up cause spawn is soon approaching??

[tracker1]

Night fishing should be good for walleye in March as they move to spawn. I often catch them right around dusk,, but haven't stayed much later than that.

[whitewhisperer]

   I've done it a couple times in the winter mostly in the summer for walleyes.  In the winter for pike at Dried Meat Lake, using a glow flyer, tipped with a minnow, its usually not really productive but you get a couple good sized fish.   In the summer on the other side, when fishing walleye.  It can be the best or worst fishing experience of your life.  When I fish for them gators its always with a moon.  I fish in about 5 feet of water, usually on a sand flat, or rock shore.  Avoid weeds!  I find walleye avoid weeds when feeding just because its harder for them to find food.  Bait fish don't always hide in weeds either, an the walleye know that too.  I find that they will locate to sandy and rocky bottoms.   Have you ever looked at a walleye straight on? You'll notice there eyes almost shine, thats because they have cons in there eyes, almost like deer which reflect light.  With the moon, that little bit of light can almost work like a flashlight for them.
 
When these fish are hunting for game fish, there leathel stealth, razor sharp teeth, a small perch has no chance against one of these. 

   I hope this helps, thats just a few tips. 

   Good Luck!

[shepike]

My son wants to try Burbot fishing at night...is Isle any good for burbots? Lac St anne? looking for close to Edmonton..thinking glo Jig and smelts....Pigeon I believe is closed from Feb for burbots. 0 limit

Thanks

[topgun]

gull is slaying the ling right now and it will get better they are jus startin to come in! brownlows or the east side is gettin good!

[kingfisher]

sunset beach at gull was slow didnt see one burb