Early early

[Running for flags]

So I have been thinking abiutvtrying some ice fishing early like 3am kinda early has any body done this and had success? If have any tips?

[Cub]

Best tip I have is bring a flashlight. To early for me

[NHSlabbinCabin]

Let us know how that goes! Lol. I don't know what would be active at that time. Maybe cusk? The panfish generally start feeding when the tiny critters start moving. You can't trout fish that early.

[800stealth]

I've done it a couple times... My experience is that flags don't start popping till dawn, better off staying in bed a couple more hours so you don't hit the nappy time wall at noon... But that's just me, it might work for you.

[Mr.Harry]

Yep. The best thing you can do for yourself is time it so you have traps IN by the open of trout hours - 1/2 hour prior to sunrise. I don't think there's any point in trying earlier. With cusk, I have the night bite to get really hot right at the CLOSE of trout hours an hour after sunset, but that seems to slow down as well later in the evening. By one o'clock a.m. at latest I would be throwing in the towel. I think the 'hot bite' is pretty much over by 11 p.m.

[Running for flags]

Well ibwant thinking trout was really thinking crappie but justcwanted some Input so thank you guys

[NHSlabbinCabin]

Well ibwant thinking trout was really thinking crappie but justcwanted some Input so thank you guys

Don't forget, the crappie and other panfish are chasing zooplankton once the sun starts to pop. Not sure what they would be foraging for at that hour.

[Running for flags]

Hopefully my jigs lol

[jgguppyboy2]

Crappie fishing can be really good in the dark.  Not sure I'd wake up early for it though!

[fishingidjit]

Yep. The best thing you can do for yourself is time it so you have traps IN by the open of trout hours - 1/2 hour prior to sunrise. I don't think there's any point in trying earlier. With cusk, I have the night bite to get really hot right at the CLOSE of trout hours an hour after sunset, but that seems to slow down as well later in the evening. By one o'clock a.m. at latest I would be throwing in the towel. I think the 'hot bite' is pretty much over by 11 p.m.

Agree 100% and buy yourself a decent headlamp.

[winnisquam guy]

don't step in an open ice hole either man.

[Mr.Harry]

don't step in an open ice hole either man.

x 2. Done that twice now in over 25 years of fishing. What a godawful experience that is.

[jgguppyboy2]

Crappie fishing can be really good in the dark.  Not sure I'd wake up early for it though!

[800stealth]

Well ibwant thinking trout was really thinking crappie but justcwanted some Input so thank you guys

Even Crappie tap out for the late night hours... I had the same thoughts and why I have tried going out a 2:00-3:00 in the morning but I found that nothing was happening until the horizon started to get a little glow over it.

[Nitro16]

Yep. The best thing you can do for yourself is time it so you have traps IN by the open of trout hours - 1/2 hour prior to sunrise. I don't think there's any point in trying earlier. With cusk, I have the night bite to get really hot right at the CLOSE of trout hours an hour after sunset, but that seems to slow down as well later in the evening. By one o'clock a.m. at latest I would be throwing in the towel. I think the 'hot bite' is pretty much over by 11 p.m.

It is One hour before sunrise and Two hours after sunset. My best rainbow day was derby weekend and had 6 on the ice within the one hour before sunrise

[meatandmetal]

If I leave at 3:00 I will be stopping for a good breakfast along the way. I would get my tips in when I could see. I wouldn't walk on the ice in the dark with the current conditions.

[Running for flags]

Once I tub everything I have heard soubds like a waste of time but it sounds like right before sunrise is the key I'll try that thabkbyou guys