Weekend Trout Report

Took another trip over to the Lake Michigan shoreline this weekend in search of Steelhead and Brown Trout in a new spot that I have always wanted to try through the ice.  As with every trip, this day would prove to be a learning experience that will hopefully lead to many future successful days on the water!

Fishing started out with a bang, as we set our Automatic Fishermen and Tip ups before I began jigging.  I wasn’t jigging for 5 minutes when a nice little Steelhead took my jig and found his way onto the ice.  This was a great start in a new spot, which gave me high hopes for the rest of the day.

As the sun came up, one of my Automatic Fishermen tripped, and I could see the fish bending the rod from 50 yards away.  It was a mad dash to the hole, where I grabbed the rod and began fighting the fish.  After a great 5 minute battle, we landed a nice 5 pound Brown Trout.  This fish had the hook deep in the back of its mouth, chalk another one up for the Automatic Fisherman!

An hour later one of my Beaver Dam tip ups tripped, but unfortunately the fish took 2’ of line, chewed the spawn sac, and spit it out before I could get to the tip up.  Catching these Trout on standard tip ups once again proved difficult, as this fish escaped!

After moving a few tip ups and changing the bait on them, another flag popped.  I sprinted over to the flag, hoping to get there in time.  The line was straight down in the hole, and I could see that the fish had taken about a foot of line again.  I check the spawn, and then dropped it back down the hole.  I set the tip up and began walking away from it, when it went up again!

This time I watched the spool on the tip up go around twice slowly and then stop.  This fish seemed to be just toying with the spawn sac!  I pulled the spawn sac up again and this time just watched the tip up without setting it.  The fish again grabbed the spawn and this time started taking more line.  I grabbed the line and set the hook, fish on!

The fish went nuts and took a good run before showing itself in the hole.  Despite toying with the spawn sac like a small fish, this was a 8-10 pound Brown Trout!  The fish took off on another run, and then once again came into the hole.  Once in the hole, the fish rolled in the hole which allowed the hook to pop out of its mouth!  The fish wasted no time getting out of the hole, as I knelt there in disbelief!

Unfortunately this was the last action of the morning, as we decided to pack it up at noon and get home for the Packers playoff game against the Vikings!

Early Ice Great Lakes Trout

Early ice fishing for Great Lakes Trout is quickly becoming one of my favorite times of the year to target trophy Trout!  There are several factors that make early ice one of the best times of the year to have a chance at that 15+ pound Trout!

For starters, early ice happens to coincide with the Brown Trout spawn.  Browns can spawn from October through March, but the majority of the Browns spawn between mid November and late December in my experiences.  These Trout return to the rivers and harbors that they were planted in as yearlings to spawn.  

Another factor that is special about early ice is the ability to reach areas that you cannot access without either a boat or permission from the landowner.  There are many areas in harbors and rivers that can now be accessed that have had very little pressure during the late fall open water period, making for some hot fishing for the first people to venture onto the ice here.

When it comes to harbor fishing, early ice allows an angler to get away from the docks and shorelines, which eliminates the risk of fish tangling around dock pilings and also spooking away from the docks as you walk down them.  When the ice forms, the fish seem to be much less spooky. 

  

The final factor that makes early ice the best time of the winter, is fishing pressure.  Early ice provides an opportunity to target “fresh” fish that have not been pressured, and at this time of the year there are typically good numbers of fish still coming in from the lake.  As winter wears on, less fish come in from the lake and fishing pressure increases.  With less fish and more fisherman, mid-winter becomes a tough time of year to consistently catch the elusive Trout.  A warm snap that increases current flow in the rivers can bring fresh fish in from the lake, so keep this in mind when planning your midwinter Trout fishing trips.

When venturing out on early ice, make sure you are aware of the ice conditions and bring another angler along just in case you find yourself in over your head!  Ice picks are also a good idea during this time of the year, as thin spots cannot be detected once there is some snow on the ice.  Whether you choose to fish in the harbors or rivers at this time of the year, be safe and enjoy this prime time of the year!