Over more than thirty years if ice fishing, I have been caught in some wild storms, with some of my biggest fish caught with snowflakes swirling around me.
During summer, we always take into consideration cold and warm fronts and changes in temperature. In the winter, not so much, which can be a huge mistake, because fish are still effected tremendously by changes in weather patterns no matter time of year.
Changing conditions
Snowstorms in our part of the world also usually mean warmer temperatures to accompany the front. Once the storm is over in 24 hours we mostly have blue bird skies and much colder temperatures. If one can fish during the storm and before the skies clear out, ice fishing action can be tremendous. Fish activity level is definitely higher during storms and warmer temperature fronts.
One of my first near blizzard ice fishing adventure came on Clear Lake. We had ventured out through blinding snow to see if we could catch some lake whitefish.
As luck would have it, we got on fish right away on some rock piles in the northwest corner. At the time we only had one small portable tent so most of us were outside fighting the elements. This weather didn’t hurt the action. We landed a number of nice whitefish and some bonus pike which this lake is famous for.
Then there was wild day for lake trout in northwest Ontario during a mini blizzard when I landed my largest lake trout ever. This fish was cruising in 10 metres of water over 30 metres. I barely saw the flash on my Humminbird fish finder as this trout raced in to just smash my jig. Activity level that day was extremely high and the fish were just cruising looking for food.
My best perch day ever came a couple of years ago when the lake was shrouded in fog from melting snow and ice. Air temperatures were increasing and the fish were on mission to eat as much as they could.
MARCH MADNESS!
Time of the year can also be a factor, with walleye in natural lakes becoming more inactive during long cold February days. When planning a walleye adventure, many anglers wait until the middle of March. For lake trout meantime, activity level in early January is really high, then slows during February picking up to a crescendo at last ice.
OWN SET OF RULES ON BIG WINDY
Lake Winnipeg though, seems to have its own set of rules, though frontal systems definitely have an effect. I caught my biggest walleye ever through the ice when we had unseasonably warm weather in January. A friend and I were fishing on the south end of the lake in plus two Celsius. The forecast though called for a huge cold front to roll in over the next two days. Both of us knew it was a great time to be out and the fishing didn’t disappoint. We both caught our personal best walleye through the ice along with some other really nice fish. We had been out at first light and packed up to go home at noon before the weather changed too dramatically.
Also if the weather remains stable for long periods of time, the fish settle down in distinct feeding patterns. Walleye tend be more active early and late in the day if we have a lot of sun accompanied with the stability. If it’s overcast and warmer, the action can be good all day long.
Hopefully a little unsettled weather helps you land that trophy this winter.