Fort Peck Ling??

[doublehaul]

I've always been one to target multispecies when icefishing. This year I have set asside 5 days to ice fish Fort Peck. My brother (zooangler) and I have been throwing around the idea of targetting Ling at night on our home reservoir. Most people don't really bother with these strange looking creatures-only out to target the illusive walleye. But, I'm willing to try something new in hopes to extend my productive fishing time on the ice. Does anyone on FP ever purposely target ling? I know when the populations were much higher in the early 90's spearers would go home with way over their limits in February every year. The few my family have landed were in 8-17 FOW using walleye sized live bait.

What time of year?
What tackle did you use?
What depth did you catch them in?
What size are we talking?
Structure?

The intent of this thread is informational-and for the masses.

[rabbet79]

I've always been one to target multispecies when icefishing. This year I have set asside 5 days to ice fish Fort Peck. My brother (zooangler) and I have been throwing around the idea of targetting Ling at night on our home reservoir. Most people don't really bother with these strange looking creatures-only out to target the illusive walleye. But, I'm willing to try something new in hopes to extend my productive fishing time on the ice. Does anyone on FP ever purposely target ling? I know when the populations were much higher in the early 90's spearers would go home with way over their limits in February every year. The few my family have landed were in 8-17 FOW using walleye sized live bait.

What time of year?
What tackle did you use?
What depth did you catch them in?
What size are we talking?
Structure?

The intent of this thread is informational-and for the masses.

I am going to Peck 11th will tell you how we did 7 of us going we want to catch Ling also.

[iceandwiskey]

I am going this weekend and we are going to try for some Ling also.  I will let you know how it goes.

[iceandwiskey]

Thanks,
I will give it a try!

[Zoo Angler]

Thanks,
I will give it a try!

oh sorry...I posted that towards my brother (doublehaul) I should have specified...nbd tho. Good luck.

[Desperado]

If anyone wants to chime in on anything else that works feel free. 

GLOW (white or green) and LOTS OF IT.  These fish aren't shy.

[doublehaul]

Hey bro,

I was checking what other forums were saying about ling fishing and what I've found is that ling tend to become more active at dusk - dawn(not like we didn't already know that) but I read a post that the later in the night/morning the shallower they are feeding. Also the only relevant bait suggestion that I thought would work in peck is to shred the crap out of a minnow(kind of like chumming for a shark I guess - haha) or use sucker cut bait and leave it on the bottom. Maybe I'll grab a pack of weighted hooks/ big swedish pimples/ 1/2 ounce jig heads - You get the idea...Also I read a lot about just sticking with a live minnow but to weight it to the bottom - similar maybe to a cat rig but with a minnow. If anyone wants to chime in on anything else that works feel free. 

Well, it's not going to do us much good if you can't find a sonar unit to use for the weekend. Once you fish with one you will never go without again. It cuts down on fishing unproductive depths/structure/ and marks suspended fish that you would never have a chance to catch without the unit.