Scouting tips and techniques

[Pipenator]

Hey all,

New to the site, still pretty new to Ice fishing. I have a few spots in my rotation but I'm looking to expand my area, as all these spots are "hand me downs". I know about checking regulations for what waters can be ice fished in the ADKs and what species are possible in different waters, but I'm looking for more information on finding the 'right' spot, or where to start when first hitting a body of water. I'm especially interested in some smaller ponds and lakes that might lock up quicker, and stay safe longer.

How do you narrow down from a whole pond / lake to a handful of spots to look at to try and get on some fish?

Is there any contour map features that draw your interest immediately when looking for a new spot?

I know it's all species specific as well, so this may be too generic of questions to ask. Anything helps, just looking to avoid drilling a hole every 4 feet for the entire season just looking for a spot to get a bite. Any good books or YouTube pages that are educational on scouting would be appreciated as well.

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

With you admittedly being a new icefisherman, my advice is to not make things too complicated at first. It is fine to try to get on small ponds or lakes that are the only waters to have ice on them, but there is nothing more discouraging than picking one that has very few fish, or mostly fish that are hard to make bite your presentation even on a good day.

If I were you, I would start by fishing in shallow, weedy bays or in a pond that is entirely shallow and weedy. Set a few tipups in the weedbed ( 3 feet above bottom ) with medium shiners in 10 FOW to score some pickerel or average sized pike. This will boost your confidence that you can actually catch what is in there. Set other tipups with small hooks ( size 10 or 12 trebles ) and fathead minnows or use your jigging rods a little farther out from the first set of tipups, in 20 FOW if it gets that deep, and you will probably catch perch since these are present in nearly all of NY.

Once the larger lakes are frozen, fish where the crowd is but understand the unwritten rules of ice fishing etiquette and what is considered too close to guys already there.

For live minnow or lure choices, smaller is usually better in the winter. Larger live bait will usually result in bigger fish being caught, but I can tell you with a straight face that I have iced some very hefty pike ( many over 10 lbs ) on fatheads that were on tipups I was tryinmg to catch perch on.

As you gain experience over the years, expanding your fishing techniques will become obvious. Good luck and stay safe no matter where you decide to fish.

[hardwater diehard]

Pipenator  You should add your location to your profile .

Learning to read a contour map is very useful as is reading the surrounding area of a lake if a contour map is not available . Fish in general relate to structure ...and "differences" in the environment look for those differences...which could be change in bottom composition(s) ...weeds ..rocks...stumps ..changes in contours ..drop offs ...humps  ...depressions etc. Some YouTube time will enhance your knowledge .

More importantly know your prey ...fish species prefer certain habitat and forage over other fish species .

Also fish the season(s) ..early ice ..shallow water tactics prevail ...then its a chase/follow to the basin area .Although some fish may be in the basin early ice ...most will be in the shallows...and early this season may be long as the weeds may still be green for some time ...once the brown up less oxygen is produced and fish get the move on ..green weeds hold bait fish/forage ..no reason to move out of the shallows if forage is abundant .

[WARRIOR_ON_ICE]

Pipenator  You should add your location to your profile .

Learning to read a contour map is very useful as is reading the surrounding area of a lake if a contour map is not available . Fish in general relate to structure ...and "differences" in the environment look for those differences...which could be change in bottom composition(s) ...weeds ..rocks...stumps ..changes in contours ..drop offs ...humps  ...depressions etc. Some YouTube time will enhance your knowledge .

More importantly know your prey ...fish species prefer certain habitat and forage over other fish species .

Also fish the season(s) ..early ice ..shallow water tactics prevail ...then its a chase/follow to the basin area .Although some fish may be in the basin early ice ...most will be in the shallows...and early this season may be long as the weeds may still be green for some time ...once the brown up less oxygen is produced and fish get the move on ..green weeds hold bait fish/forage ..no reason to move out of the shallows if forage is abundant .

Yes, excellent points which I did not think to write. I want you to be promoted to Ice Fishing Professor on this site. Your posts are well-written and have information that could benefit fishermen of all levels of experience.

[fishon814]

NAVIONICS! Worth every penny........

[Pipenator]

Pipenator  You should add your location to your profile .

Learning to read a contour map is very useful as is reading the surrounding area of a lake if a contour map is not available . Fish in general relate to structure ...and "differences" in the environment look for those differences...which could be change in bottom composition(s) ...weeds ..rocks...stumps ..changes in contours ..drop offs ...humps  ...depressions etc. Some YouTube time will enhance your knowledge .

More importantly know your prey ...fish species prefer certain habitat and forage over other fish species .

Also fish the season(s) ..early ice ..shallow water tactics prevail ...then its a chase/follow to the basin area .Although some fish may be in the basin early ice ...most will be in the shallows...and early this season may be long as the weeds may still be green for some time ...once the brown up less oxygen is produced and fish get the move on ..green weeds hold bait fish/forage ..no reason to move out of the shallows if forage is abundant .

Incredibly interesting point about the green weeds holding fish longer, I definitely did not know that.

I've icefished plenty of time WITH people, so I never worried about finding my own spots - hence the post. I've done some reading about contours, just need to get some 'hands on' training with that part. I'm very good at reading contour maps, I've used them extensively for the military and hunting.

I never really thought about targeting specific habitat and forage for specific species, which now that you point it out seems like the first thing I should've thought of. When you say certain habitat and forage should I get as specific as knowing the species of weeds making up the beds?

Thank you for the insight! I know I can (and will) get a lot of knowledge watching videos, but I appreciate being able to have a conversation about it.

[hardwater diehard]

Breaking up the lake into manageable areas will help also..first start off at the access point(s) ...especially if you are dragging by hand ... dont worry whats across the pond if you cant get there due to condition/distance. Then it is a narrow it down to the spot on the spot . If you are good a Topo maps ...lake contours are the same just minus the water .."hunt" the fish like you would for game animals...noting what the unique differences are there. This Ice Fishing Secrets book is the Ice Fishermans Bible ...its old but the information is priceless and timeless

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ice-Fishing-Secrets-9780929384191-Used-Pre-owned/1952361327?from=/search

[Kilsdonk]

For me, my biggest game changer for scouting was this forum. I would look up a lake I wanted to fish, read through every post and take notes, go out and try out what I though was good and come back to the forum and discuss how I did.

Also other tools like google earth can show shallow water changes and features, sentinel hub will give you real time/up to date satellite imagery so you can check if lakes are iced over, and GPSnauticalcharts.com shows contours and depths of most lakes. Use your phone to mark locations while out fishing so when you find a good spot you can return to approximately that spot. Its a nightmare trying to use the bank or land features to get back to that "perfect spot" haha.

When you catch a fish you WANT to keep, cut open its belly and see what they are foraging on

lastly, if you see people fishing.. there's probably good fishing there..  or y'all a bunch of DumbA's 

[filetandrelease]

 HWD I first edition of ice fishing secrets , good book
 I’ve been at this game for a while knowing your prey’s habits will help narrow your search , all the new gadgets also are very useful ,
 Back in the day,  compass , map and lots of elbow grease lol
 Far as looking for a group try and find your own fish , be a leader or a follower  your choice, very rewarding doing your own thing
 Just an ol buzzards .02
   
 

[Kilsdonk]

Far as looking for a group try and find your own fish , be a leader or a follower  your choice, very rewarding doing your own thing

For a newbie this could be very dangerous... Not saying you should set up shop right next to people but, if there's one lake with everybody on it and the lake next door is baron... well help yourself 

[filetandrelease]

  3 things learn  to use a spud and carry picks and maybe find someone older to teach you the ropes if your a first timer
 Just because there are groups doesn’t mean the ice is safe , few years ago I and a bud wouldn’t cross ,to a group as there were bad spots covered with snow but guys walked across without checking , couple places 1 half assed strike the spud fell through

[hardwater diehard]

Safety first ....always ...and please dont be that guy .I dont want to be todays rescue ranger hero ...I bring safety gear ...Picks spud ...cleats..throw bag ...medical kit ...hoping only to use the spud and cleats.

I know folks are going to run to the community hole/deep basin as soon as we get ice ...whether it is safe or not ...truth be told most of the fish will not have moved in there ...Yet . It would behoove you to pace and pound the flats ...you might learn something . A small feature on a large flat can be huge ...depression ,humps and structure could be your new honey spot.

[krispcritter]

Be safe, think safe. Flotation will be a life saver. Wear a life jacket. You may feel stupid but it will keep you warmer and gives good back support when sitting for long periods. Keep ice picks at the ready at all times.

[Iceman1899]

Shanty towns are like the stock market. By the time that many people know about it your way to late. It never means it’s safe ice either. Way too many sheep in this world. We learned that 3 years ago

[trapper2000]

i'm new to  ice  fishing and  if anyone  would  be so  kind  as to give up a  few good  spots  especially  any  with ice  i  would really apperciate  it  ...........merry  christmas  .....and remember  santa  is watching you  ...... this  would get you on the  "nice list" for  sure!!!!

[62&done]

Pipe you've got a whole bunch of good advice to start with here.  You didn't mention any thing about you're equipment. A good fish finder is invaluable. There are many good ones out there _ I like my Vexilar The model you choose depends on how much you want to spend, they all work. A good jigging rod is worth all the tipups you can carry if you learn to use it. Again quality equals success. Get a wide assortment of jigs. For my money it's an inline reel on an ultra light rod. A frabbil reel on a JT Rouge or Elliot rod is about all I'll use but that will be debated by many fisherman. Again: a lot of good stuff out there. A decent auger will make life easy. A lot of ice fishing is about hunting. Not so much hunting the fish, but hunting the spots with features that attract fish. Many species will prefer different types of habitat. If you can spend the $ on a flip over shelter do it.
  I think of ice fishing year round and there is no better time to locate probable locations than in the summer in a boat. Spend time wandering around digesting as much info as possible and take notes, make waypoints on your GPS, learn the weed lines and structure locations. It's much easier in the summer. For now, get with a buddy or two and cover as much real-estate as possible. Many lines in the water will tell many things. Don't be a pest to others but carefully listen, watch, and learn.

   Good luck- it's a blast

[Pipenator]

Pipe you've got a whole bunch of good advice to start with here.  You didn't mention any thing about you're equipment.

Definitely a lot of good advice. I appreciate everyone pitching in. I've got a good set up, I've been hitting the hard water for a few years, just never scouted out new spots and when I started thinking about it, I realized how little I actually knew.

I have a Pop up 4 man Shanty and a small clam for when I'm solo. I do have a MarCum. I have two jig poles, one in-line, one spinning reel (I do not remember brands on them). Quite a few second hand tip ups and a couple hand augers. Definitely plan to upgrade to a better auger. I usually only bring a hand full of tip ups as I prefer to jig.

I've thoroughly loved icefishing but struggled going out alone, and lost some motivation to go out solo. Trying to rekindle my love for it this year solo by fishing new waters and making my own way away from spots others have brought me to. Definitely have some good tips here and I'll be posting some success stories and thank you's on this thread later in the season so you all know you helped out. 

[BUCKSKI]

Keep things simple at first, don't get too complicated. -- You can't do it all
what species do you want to catch?
what water has them near you?

I personally like to fish panfish and set up flags for pike. All can be done in some shallow weeds near a break.
speak to people and listen to what they have to say. Epic bites and patterns will repeat themselves, just might take some time.
Be smart!

And keep moving if your not marking. If you are marking, not catching gotta mix up the presentation.
My 2 cents other have theirs.
Be safe is the #1 then enjoy. If you never have fallen through, trust me AVOID IT!!